Montana daycare ratios by age
Montana's child care center rule (Mont. Admin. R. 37.96.106(2)(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.
Montana child care center ratios and group sizes
| Age | Children per adult | Largest group |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (under 12 months) | 1 to 4 | 12 |
| 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 10 | 20 |
| Five-year-olds (not yet in school) | 1 to 10 | 20 |
How many adults does my room need in Montana?
Type how many children of each age are in the room.
What the rule says
Centers: newborn-11 mo 4:1 group 12; 12-23 mo 6:1 group 12; two years old 8:1 group 16; three through five years 10:1 group 20; six and over 20:1 group 40. New rule eff. 4/13/2024 (2024 MAR p. 738); old ARM 37.95.623 repealed.
Rule: Mont. Admin. R. 37.96.106(2)(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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