R381-60-10. Ratios and Group Size

  (1) As listed in Table 1, the provider shall:

  (a) maintain at least the number of caregivers and not exceed the number of children in the caregiver-to-child ratio, and

  (b) not exceed maximum group sizes.

TABLE 1

Caregiver-to-Child Ratios

   # of # of

Caregivers Children Limits for Mixed Ages

1 12 per group No children younger than age 2

1 8 per group 2 children younger than age 2

1 6 in the facility 3 children younger than age 2

2 24 per group No children younger than age 2

2 16 per group 4 children younger than age 2

  (2) Children in care shall include the provider's and caregivers' own children younger than age 4 years old.

  (3) The provider's and caregivers' own children age 4 years and older, shall not be counted in the caregiver-to-child ratios and group sizes when the parent of the child is working at the center.

  (4) If more than 2 infants or toddlers are included in a mixed-age group, and the group has more than 6 children, there shall be at least 2 caregivers with the group unless there are 6 or fewer children in the facility.

  (5) When caring for children younger than age 2 years old in single-age groups:

  (a) there shall be no more than 4 children with 1 caregiver, and

  (b) these children shall be cared for in an area that is physically separated from older children.

  (6) If there is only 1 caregiver in the facility and no children younger than 2 years old are present, the provider can be temporarily out of ratio if:

  (a) a second caregiver arrives within 20 minutes from when the 13th child arrived, and

  (b) the total number of children present does not exceed 16.

  (7) Caregivers who are 16 or 17 years old may be included in the caregiver-to-child ratio, but shall not have unsupervised contact with any child in care.

  (8) Volunteers may be included in the caregiver-to-child ratio if they:

  (a) are at least 16 years old,

  (b) receive at least 2.5 hours of preservice training before counting in the caregiver-to-child ratio, and

  (c) complete at least 1/2 hour of child care training for each month they volunteer 40 hours or more.

  (9) Student interns who are registered in a high school or college child care course may count in the caregiver-to-child ratio when requirements in R381-60-7(14)(a)-(c) are met.

  (10) Guests shall not count in caregiver-to-child ratio.