State of Florida Mandated ‘Adult to Child’ Ratios
Early Care and Education Centers
The following table outlines the minimum standards for the care of children in a licensed early care and education facility as established by rule of the department. When children two years of age, and older are in care, the staff-to-children ratio shall be based on the age group with the largest number of children within the group.
| Adult to Child Ratio | State Statue 402.305 (4) |
| 1:4 | For children from birth through 1 year of age, there must be one early care and education personnel for every four children. |
| 1:6 | For children 1 year of age or older, but under 2 years of age, there must be one early care and education personnel for every six children |
| 1:11 | For children 2 years of age or older, but under 3 years of age, there must be one early care and education personnel for every 11 children |
| 1:15 | For children 3 years of age or older, but under 4 years of age, there must be one early care and education personnel for every 15 children |
| 1:20 | For children 4 years of age or older, but under 5 years of age, there must be one early care and education personnel for every 20 children. |
| 1:25 | For children 5 years of age or older, there must be one early care and education personnel for every 25 children. |
Family Childcare Home
The following table outlines the different combinations that ONE family child care provider may care for at one time. A provider can meet only one category (a, b, c or d) at a time. However, he/she is not limited to one category on the Registration/license and may change to a different category at various times throughout the day or week. Also, providers own children are included in the count (0-12yrs)
| Infant (0-12 Months) |
Preschool (13mos-5yrs) |
School-Age (5yrs-12yrs) |
Total | State Statute 402.302 (7) |
| 4 | 0 | 0 | 1:4 | a) A maximum of four children from birth to 12 months of age |
| 3 | 3 | 0 | 1:6 |
b) A maximum of three children from birth to 12 months of age and other children for a maximum total of six children |
| 3 | 2 | 1 | 1:6 | c) A maximum of six preschool children If all are older than 12 months of age |
| 3 | 1 | 2 | ||
| 3 | 0 | 3 | ||
| 2 | 4 | 0 | ||
| 1 | 5 | 0 | ||
| 0 | 6 | 0 | ||
| 2 | 3 | 5 | 1:10 |
d) A maximum of 10 children if no more that five are preschool age and, of those five, not more than two are under 12 months of age
|
| 2 | 2 | 6 | ||
| 2 | 1 | 7 | ||
| 2 | 0 | 8 | ||
| 1 | 4 | 5 | ||
| 1 | 3 | 6 | ||
| 1 | 2 | 7 | ||
| 1 | 1 | 8 | ||
| 1 | 0 | 9 | ||
| 0 | 5 | 5 | ||
| 0 | 4 | 6 | ||
| 0 | 3 | 7 | ||
| 0 | 2 | 8 | ||
| 0 | 1 | 9 |
Large Family Childcare Home
The following table outlines the different combinations that TWO family child care providers may care for at one time. This home can only meet one category (a. or b) at a time. However, he/she is not limited to one category on the Registration/license and may change to a different category at various times throughout the day or week. Both of the providers own children are included in the count (0-12yrs).
| Infant – Toddlers (0-24 months old) |
24 months – 12 Years old
|
Adult to Childcare Ratio | State Statute 402.302 (8) |
|
8
7
6
5
|
0
1
2
3
|
2-8
2-8
2-8
2-8
|
A maximum of 8 children from birth to 24 months of age |
|
4
3
2
1
0
|
8
9
10
11
12
|
2-12
2-12
2-12
2-12
2-12
|
A maximum of 12 children, with no more than 4 children under 24 months of age |
VPK AND SCHOOL READINESS ASSISTANCE
PROVIDER ASSISTANCE
