Rhode Island daycare ratios by age
Rhode Island's child care center rule (218-RICR-70-00-1.11(B)(1)) sets the staff-to-child ratios below: one adult for every 9 three-year-olds, in groups of no more than 18. Read on 2026-10-31; your licensing consultant has the last word.
Rhode Island child care center ratios and group sizes
| Age | Children per adult | Largest group |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (under 12 months) | 1 to 4 | 8 |
| Toddlers (12 to 24 months) | 1 to 4 | 8 |
| Two-year-olds | 1 to 6 | 12 |
| Three-year-olds | 1 to 9 | 18 |
| Four-year-olds | 1 to 10 | 20 |
| Five-year-olds (not yet in school) | 1 to 12 | 24 |
How many adults does my room need in Rhode Island?
Type how many children of each age are in the room.
What the rule says
Younger infants (6 wk-12 mo) 1:4 group 8; older infants (12-18 mo) 1:4 group 8; toddlers (18-36 mo) 1:6 group 12; preschool 3 1:9 group 18; preschool 4 1:10 group 20; preschool 5-6 (not yet in K) 1:12 group 24; school age K+ 1:13 group 26 (mapped: toddler=older infants 12-18 mo, 18-24 mo would be 1:6/12)
Rule: 218-RICR-70-00-1.11(B)(1). Read on 2026-10-31 at rules.sos.ri.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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