Missouri daycare ratios by age
Missouri's child care center rule (5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(A)) 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.
Missouri 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 4 | 8 |
| Two-year-olds | 1 to 8 | 16 |
| Three-year-olds | 1 to 10 | 20 |
| Four-year-olds | 1 to 10 | 20 |
| Five-year-olds (not yet in school) | 1 to 16 | 32 |
How many adults does my room need in Missouri?
Type how many children of each age are in the room.
What the rule says
Infants, toddlers and 2-year-olds birth-36 mo 1:4 group 8; 2-year-olds (groups composed solely of 24-36 mo) 1:8 group 16; 3 through 4-year-olds (groups solely 3-4 yrs) 1:10 group 20; 5-year-olds and up (groups solely 5+) 1:16 group 32; mixed Type 1 (2+ with max four 2-yr-olds) 1:10 group 20; mixed Type 2 (more than four 2-yr-olds) 1:8 group 16. (mapped: twos = groups solely of 24-36 mo; infant/toddler = birth-36 mo row). Amended eff. 1/30/2024.
Rule: 5 CSR 25-500.112(1)(A). 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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