Maryland daycare ratios by age
Maryland's child care center rule (COMAR 13A.16.08.03C; definitions COMAR 13A.16.01.02) 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.
Maryland child care center ratios and group sizes
| Age | Children per adult | Largest group |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (under 12 months) | 1 to 3 | 6 |
| Toddlers (12 to 24 months) | 1 to 3 | 6 |
| Two-year-olds | 1 to 6 | 12 |
| Three-year-olds | 1 to 10 | 20 |
| Four-year-olds | 1 to 10 | 20 |
| Five-year-olds (not yet in school) | 1 to 15 | 30 |
How many adults does my room need in Maryland?
Type how many children of each age are in the room.
What the rule says
Under 2: infants (6 wk-<18 mo) 1:3 group 6; toddlers (18 mo-<2 yr) 1:3 group 9; mixed infants/toddlers 1:3 group 9 (1-2 infants) or 6 (3+ infants). 2 yr 1:6 group 12; 3 or 4 yr 1:10 group 20; 5 yr and older 1:15 group 30. (mapped: our toddler band splits evenly between infant <18 mo and toddler 18-24 mo, same 1:3 ratio; took the younger band's group 6, toddler-only group is 9)
Rule: COMAR 13A.16.08.03C; definitions COMAR 13A.16.01.02. Read on 2026-10-31 at law.cornell.edu. 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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