Ohio daycare ratios by age
Ohio's child care center rule (Ohio Admin. Code 5180:2-12-18, Appendix A (renumbered from 5101:2-12-18; rule eff. 10/29/2021)) sets the staff-to-child ratios below: one adult for every 12 three-year-olds, in groups of no more than 24. Read on 2026-10-31; your licensing consultant has the last word.
Ohio child care center ratios and group sizes
| Age | Children per adult | Largest group |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (under 12 months) | 1 to 5 | 12 |
| Toddlers (12 to 24 months) | 1 to 6 | 12 |
| Two-year-olds | 1 to 7 | 14 |
| Three-year-olds | 1 to 12 | 24 |
| Four-year-olds | 1 to 14 | 28 |
| Five-year-olds (not yet in school) | 1 to 14 | 28 |
How many adults does my room need in Ohio?
Type how many children of each age are in the room.
What the rule says
Young infants (birth-<12 mo) 1:5 or 2:12 in same room, group 12; older infants (12-<18 mo) 1:6 group 12; young toddlers (18 mo-<2.5 yr) 1:7 group 14; older toddlers (2.5-<3 yr) 1:8 group 16; young preschoolers (3-<4) 1:12 group 24; older preschoolers (4+, not enrolled in or eligible for kindergarten) 1:14 group 28; young schoolagers (K-eligible-<11) 1:18 group 36 (mapped: toddler=older infants 12-18 mo, 18-24 mo would be 1:7/14; twos=young toddlers 24-30 mo, 30-36 mo would be 1:8/16; fives=older preschoolers, K-eligible fives fall under 1:18/36)
Rule: Ohio Admin. Code 5180:2-12-18, Appendix A (renumbered from 5101:2-12-18; rule eff. 10/29/2021). Read on 2026-10-31 at codes.ohio.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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