Minnesota daycare ratios by age
Minnesota's child care center rule (Minn. R. 9503.0040 subp. 1; definitions Minn. R. 9503.0005) 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.
Minnesota 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 7 | 14 |
| Two-year-olds | 1 to 7 | 14 |
| Three-year-olds | 1 to 10 | 20 |
| Four-year-olds | 1 to 10 | 20 |
| Five-year-olds (not yet in school) | 1 to 10 | 20 |
How many adults does my room need in Minnesota?
Type how many children of each age are in the room.
What the rule says
Infant (6 wk-<16 mo) 1:4 group 8; toddler (16-<33 mo) 1:7 group 14; preschooler (33 mo until first day of kindergarten) 1:10 group 20; school-age 1:15 group 30 (kindergartners are school-age). Optional age designations by parent/teacher/director allowed. (mapped: toddler 12-24 = toddler 16-33 mo; fives = preschooler, not yet in kindergarten)
Rule: Minn. R. 9503.0040 subp. 1; definitions Minn. R. 9503.0005. Read on 2026-10-31 at revisor.mn.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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