Mississippi daycare ratios by age
Mississippi's child care center rule (15 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 11, Subpt. 55, R. 1.8.2 and 1.8.3) sets the staff-to-child ratios below: one adult for every 14 three-year-olds, in groups of no more than 14. Read on 2026-10-31; your licensing consultant has the last word.
Mississippi child care center ratios and group sizes
| Age | Children per adult | Largest group |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (under 12 months) | 1 to 5 | 10 |
| Toddlers (12 to 24 months) | 1 to 9 | 10 |
| Two-year-olds | 1 to 12 | 14 |
| Three-year-olds | 1 to 14 | 14 |
| Four-year-olds | 1 to 16 | 20 |
| Five-year-olds (not yet in school) | 1 to 20 | 20 |
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What the rule says
Ratio (Rule 1.8.2): less than 1 yr 5; 1 yr 9; 2 yrs 12; 3 yrs 14; 4 yrs 16; 5-9 yrs 20; 10-12 yrs 25. Grouping (Rule 1.8.3): infant <12 mo max 10 (2 caregivers); toddler 12-<24 mo max 10 (2 caregivers); 2 yrs 14 (2 caregivers); 3 yrs 14 (1); 4 yrs 20 (2); 5-9 yrs 20 (1); 10-12 yrs 25 (1). (note: Cornell labels Chapter 1 'facilities for 12 of fewer children in the operator's home', but its definition covers facilities for six or more children and Chapter 2 repeats that home title with different ratios, so the Chapter 1 heading looks mislabeled; Chapter 1 taken as the center rule)
Rule: 15 Miss. Admin. Code Pt. 11, Subpt. 55, R. 1.8.2 and 1.8.3. 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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