North Carolina daycare ratios by age
North Carolina's child care center rule (10A NCAC 09 .0713(a)) sets the staff-to-child ratios below: one adult for every 15 three-year-olds, in groups of no more than 25. Read on 2026-10-31; your licensing consultant has the last word.
North Carolina 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 6 | 12 |
| Two-year-olds | 1 to 10 | 20 |
| Three-year-olds | 1 to 15 | 25 |
| Four-year-olds | 1 to 20 | 25 |
| Five-year-olds (not yet in school) | 1 to 25 | 25 |
How many adults does my room need in North Carolina?
Type how many children of each age are in the room.
What the rule says
Single-age groups: 0-12 mo 1/5 group 10; 12-24 mo 1/6 group 12; 2-3 yrs 1/10 group 20; 3-4 yrs 1/15 group 25; 4-5 yrs 1/20 group 25; 5 yrs and older 1/25 group 25. (Optional multi-age table and center-in-residence tables not used.) Amended eff. 11/1/2024.
Rule: 10A NCAC 09 .0713(a). Read on 2026-10-31 at oah.nc.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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