Suggested Staff Ratios

In general, the more adults who are available to care for your child the better! This is called the Teacher:Child ratio. A ratio of 1 adult to 4 infants is typical in a family child care home or center. Some centers require a 1:3 ratio, which is even better (fewer children for the adult to supervise). 

Preschool is usually children between 3-5. After school care is typically 1 adult for every 14 children. 

Another indicator of quality is Group Size, meaning the total number of children allowed to be in one group setting. Generally, the smaller the group size, the better. 

Here is a chart that describes the different regulations for different types of care. Title 22 is licensed child care, and Title 5 describes programs that have additional requirements (above and beyond Title 22) for children in subsidized care. HeadStart programs have even more requirements, and include supports for families as part of their work with children.