Wisconsin daycare ratios by age
Wisconsin's child care center rule (Wis. Admin. Code DCF 251.055(2), Table 251.055) 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.
Wisconsin 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 7 | 14 |
| Three-year-olds | 1 to 10 | 20 |
| Four-year-olds | 1 to 13 | 26 |
| Five-year-olds (not yet in school) | 1 to 18 | 36 |
How many adults does my room need in Wisconsin?
Type how many children of each age are in the room.
What the rule says
Table 251.055 (current): birth-18 mo 1:4 group 8; 18 mo-2.5 yrs 1:7 group 14; 2.5-3 yrs 1:8 group 16; 3-4 yrs 1:10 group 20; 4-5 yrs 1:13 group 26; 5 yrs and over 1:18 group 36 (mapped: toddler=birth-18 mo row and twos=18 mo-2.5 yr row, each band splits evenly; stricter row chosen). Amended eff. 2027-08-01 by 2025 Wis. Act 15: birth-2 yrs 1:4 group 8; 2-2.5 yrs 1:6 group 12; others unchanged
Rule: Wis. Admin. Code DCF 251.055(2), Table 251.055. Read on 2026-10-31 at docs.legis.wisconsin.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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