Washington daycare ratios by age
Washington's child care center rule (WAC 110-300-0356(5)) 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.
Washington 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 7 | 14 |
| Two-year-olds | 1 to 7 | 14 |
| Three-year-olds | 1 to 10 | 20 |
| Four-year-olds | 1 to 10 | 20 |
| Five-year-olds (not yet in school) | 1 to 10 | 20 |
How many adults does my room need in Washington?
Type how many children of each age are in the room.
What the rule says
Infants birth-11 mo 1:4 group 8 (or 1:3 group 9); toddlers 12-29 mo 1:7 group 14 (or 1:5 group 15); preschoolers 30 mo-6 yrs not in kindergarten 1:10 group 20; school-age 5-12 in K/elementary 1:15 group 30 (mapped: twos=toddler row, our band splits evenly 24-29 mo toddler vs 30-36 mo preschool; stricter row chosen; first-listed option used for infant/toddler)
Rule: WAC 110-300-0356(5). Read on 2026-10-31 at app.leg.wa.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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