New Jersey daycare ratios by age
New Jersey's child care center rule (N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3(c) and 3A:52-4.4) 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.
New Jersey 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 4 | 12 |
| Two-year-olds | 1 to 6 | 20 |
| Three-year-olds | 1 to 10 | 20 |
| Four-year-olds | 1 to 12 | 20 |
| Five-year-olds (not yet in school) | 1 to 15 | 20 |
How many adults does my room need in New Jersey?
Type how many children of each age are in the room.
What the rule says
Ratios: under 18 mo 1:4; 18 mo-2.5 yrs 1:6; 2.5-4 yrs 1:10; 4 yrs 1:12; 5 yrs and older 1:15 (4.3(c)). Grouping: a group is 4 infants or 6 toddlers with a primary caregiver; areas for up to 12 infants or 20 toddlers per room/defined area; children 2.5+ max group 20; school-age max 30 (4.4). (mapped: group = 12 infants / 20 toddlers per defined area; toddler=12-18 mo infant row, even split; twos=18 mo-2.5 yr row, even split with 1:10)
Rule: N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3(c) and 3A:52-4.4. 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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