Delaware daycare ratios by age
Delaware's child care center rule (14 Del. Admin. Code 933 §27.0 (DELACARE: Early Care and Education and School-Age Centers)) sets the staff-to-child ratios below: one adult for every 10 three-year-olds, in groups of no more than 20. Read on 2026-10-31; your licensing consultant has the last word.
Delaware child care center ratios and group sizes
| Age | Children per adult | Largest group |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (under 12 months) | 1 to 4 | 8 |
| Toddlers (12 to 24 months) | 1 to 6 | 12 |
| Two-year-olds | 1 to 8 | 16 |
| Three-year-olds | 1 to 10 | 20 |
| Four-year-olds | 1 to 12 | 24 |
| Five-year-olds (not yet in school) | 1 to 12 | 24 |
How many adults does my room need in Delaware?
Type how many children of each age are in the room.
What the rule says
Infant under 12 mo 1:4 group 8; young toddler 12-23 mo 1:6 group 12; older toddler 24-35 mo 1:8 group 16; young preschool 36-47 mo 1:10 group 20; older preschool 48 mo+ not yet in kindergarten 1:12 group 24; school-age (K and up) 1:15 group 30. (mapped: fives = older preschool row)
Rule: 14 Del. Admin. Code 933 §27.0 (DELACARE: Early Care and Education and School-Age Centers). Read on 2026-10-31 at education.delaware.gov. Where the rule's ages split one of ours, the younger, stricter figure is shown. This is the rule for licensed centers; family child care homes, school-age care and mixed-age groups have their own rules. A reading of public regulations, not licensing advice.
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