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21.4: Teacher to Child Ratios in Child Care Centers Section 101216.3

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    142054

    • Amanda Taintor
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    Section 101216.3

    Minimum teacher-to-child ratios are necessary to protect the health and safety of children in child care centers. These teacher-to-child ratios provide developmentally appropriate support to children of different ages, from infancy to school age. The ratios outlined by Community Care Licensing are minimal. Programs should always look to increase staffing beyond the minimum requirements to promote positive adult/child relationships and high-quality learning experiences. Although many programs desire to increase rations, many factors make it difficult for programs to maintain even these minimal ratios. [1]

    Teacher-to-child ratios are based on several variables, including the number and ages of children in the facility and the nature of the care provided, such as naptime or outdoor play.

    • Infant centers serving children from birth to age 2 need to have a minimum ratio of 1 fully-qualified infant teacher for 4 infants.
    • In a room with more than 4 infants, up to a maximum of 12 infants, there must be 1 fully-qualified teacher responsible for the direct care and supervision of a maximum of 4 infants. In addition, if that fully-qualified teacher supervises aides with each aide accountable for the direct care and supervision of a maximum of 4 infants.
    • If Community Care Licensing has approved the Center to offer a toddler component, a minimum ratio of 1 fully-qualified teacher for 6 children and a maximum group size of 12 children with 2 teachers or 1 teacher and 1 aide must be maintained.[1]
      Six Toddlers and caregiver making playdough in large bin
      Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): Six Toddlers and caregiver making playdough in large bin ([2])

    These ratios are the minimum required standards for health and safety. Especially when working with infants and toddlers, it is always recommended to increase the teacher-to-child ratio to better provide both small and large group activities for the children. Increasing these ratios also allows for more one-on-one time with individual children.

    As described previously, teacher aides may be included in the ratio when certain conditions are met, including direct supervision by a teacher. The center director can be included in the ratio if actively engaged in teaching children. However, adults who provide clerical or custodial services do not qualify to be in the teacher-to-child ratio.[1]

    1 teacher for every four infants. Maximum of 12 infants. One lead teacher can supervise two aides each with 4 infants
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): 1 teacher for every four infants. Maximum of 12 infants. One lead teacher can supervise two aides each with 4 infants. ([2])
    One teacher for every 6 toddlers. Maximum of 12 toddlers. Maximum two teachers or one teacher and one aide
    Figure \(\PageIndex{1}\): One teacher for every 6 toddlers. Maximum of 12 toddlers. Maximum two teachers or one teacher and one aide. ([2])

    Ensuring that qualified adults are present is critical to the safety of the children and it's important to develop a backup plan for teacher absences so that the minimum teacher-to-child ratios are always maintained.

    Staff-Infant Ratio Summary Section 101416.5

    • There shall be a ratio of one teacher to every four infants.
    • An aide may be substituted for a teacher if a fully qualified teacher directly supervises no more than 12 infants.
    • When in activities away from the Center there shall be a minimum of one adult to every two infants.
    • The director may be counted in the staff-infant ratio when actually working with infants.
    • There shall be one staff visually observing no more than 12 sleeping infants, as long as additional staff are available at the Center to meet the above ratios when necessary. [4]

    Toddler Component In An Infant Care Center Summary Section 101417

    • Licensees serving infants may create a special program component for children between 18 and 30 months.
    • A ratio of one teacher for every 6 toddlers is required.
    • An aide participating in on-the-job training can substitute for a teacher when directly supervised by a fully qualified teacher.
    • The maximum group size is two teachers to 12 toddlers.
    • The toddler program shall be conducted in areas physically separate from those used by older or younger children. [1] [4]

    Additional Resources:

    [1] California Department of Social Services . Care Center General Licensing Requirements

    [2] Image by Amanda Taintor is licensed under CC BY

    [3] Appendix B- Title 22 Licensing Regulation Highlights is shared under a CC BY license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Jennifer Paris

    This page titled 21.4: Teacher to Child Ratios in Child Care Centers Section 101216.3 is shared under a mixed 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Amanda Taintor.