South Dakota daycare ratios by age
South Dakota's child care center rule (S.D. Admin. R. 67:42:17:21 (group size 67:42:17:19)) sets the staff-to-child ratios below: one adult for every 10 three-year-olds. Read on 2026-10-31; your licensing consultant has the last word.
South Dakota child care center ratios and group sizes
| Age | Children per adult | Largest group |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (under 12 months) | 1 to 5 | not set by age |
| Toddlers (12 to 24 months) | 1 to 5 | not set by age |
| Two-year-olds | 1 to 5 | not set by age |
| Three-year-olds | 1 to 10 | not set by age |
| Four-year-olds | 1 to 10 | not set by age |
| Five-year-olds (not yet in school) | 1 to 15 | not set by age |
How many adults does my room need in South Dakota?
Type how many children of each age are in the room.
What the rule says
Up to 3 yr 5:1; 3 through 4 yr 10:1; 5 yr and over 15:1; group size set by individual room capacity (67:42:17:19), no age-based maximum
Rule: S.D. Admin. R. 67:42:17:21 (group size 67:42:17:19). Read on 2026-10-31 at sdlegislature.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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