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Definition of Licensed Family Child Care Homes (June 2007)

State *	Small Family Child Care Homes				Large Family Child Care Homes
	Number of Children Allowed	Maximum Number of Children to One Provider	Provider's Own Children Counted	Maximum Number of Infants and Toddlers Allowed to One Provider	Number of Children Allowed	Ratio of Children to One Provider	Provider's Own Children Counted
Alabama	1-6	6	Yes, if younger than 12	2 younger than 1 year	7-12	6:1, with no more than 2 younger than 1 year	Yes, if younger than age 12
Alaska 1	5-8	8	Yes	3 younger than 30 months, with no more than 2 nonambulatory children	9-12	12:2	Yes
Arizona 2	NL (Voluntary certification)				6-10 (unrelated)	5:1	No (total not to exceed 15)
Arkansas 3	6–16	10:1, if none younger than 3 years; 9:1, if none younger than 2 years, and no more than 3 between 2 and 3 years; 8:1, if no more than 1 younger than 2 years; 7:1, if no more than 2 younger than 2 years; 6:1, if no more than 3 younger than 2 years	Yes, if preschool-age or younger	3 younger than 2 years (varies for ages of other children in care and additional providers present)	NC
California 4	2-6 (plus 2 SAC)	8	Yes, if younger than age 10	See State Notes	Up to 12 (plus 2 SAC)	8:1	Yes, if younger than age 10
Colorado 5	2-6 (plus 2 SAC)	8	Yes, if younger than age 12	2 younger than 2 years; 3 younger than 2 years, with no more than 2 younger than 1 year, with no additional SAC	7-12	7:1	NA
Connecticut	1-6 (plus 3 SAC)	9	Yes, if younger than age 12	2 younger than 2 years	7-12	4:1 for younger than 3 years; 10:1 for 3 years and older	NA
Delaware 6	1-4 (plus 2 SAC)	6	Yes, if preschool-age or younger	3 younger than 2 years, with max. 2 younger than 1 year	7-12 (plus 2 SAC during school closings)	6:1, with max. 4 younger than 2 years and with max 2 younger than 1 year	Yes, if preschool-age or younger
District of Columbia	1-5	5	Yes, if younger than age 6	2 younger than 2 years	NC
Florida	2-10	10, if no more than 5 are preschool-age, with no more than 2 younger than 1 year; 6 preschool, if none younger than 1 year; 6, with 3 younger than 1 year; 4, if all younger than 1 year	Yes, if younger than age 13	4 younger than 1 year	Up to 12	8:2, if all children are birth to 24 months; 12:2, if no more than 4 are younger than 24 months	Yes, if younger than age 13
Georgia 7	3–6 (up to 12 younger than 13 years, with 6 related to provider, residents, or children for whom no compensation is received)	3 younger than  1 year; 6 younger than 3 years; 8 younger than 5 years	Yes	3 younger than 1 year	7-18	6:1 for younger than 1 year and younger than 18 months and not walking; 8:1 for 1-year-olds who walk; 10:1 for 2 years; 15:1 for 3 years; 18:1 for 4 years and older	NA
Hawaii	3-6	6	Yes, if younger than age 6	2 younger than 18 months	Up to 12	8:1 for 2–3 years; 12:1 for 3–5 years and older	NA
Idaho 8	NL (voluntary license)				NL (voluntary license)
Illinois 9	4–8 (plus 4 SAC)	8	Yes, if younger than age 12	3 younger than 2 years, if no more than 5 are younger than 5 years	4-16	8:1; 12:1, if SAC	Yes, if younger than age 12
Indiana	6-12 (plus 3 SAC during vacations)	12	Yes, if younger than age 8	6 younger than 2 years, with 2 or more 16 months and older and walking	13-16	4:1 for infants; 6:1 for birth–2 years, with 2 or more 16 months and older and walking; 10:1 for birth–6 years, with no more than 3 younger than 16 months; 12:1 for 3 years and older	Yes, if younger than age 8
Iowa 10	6 (plus 2 SAC)	6	Yes, if younger than school-age	4 younger than 2 years, with no more than 3 younger than 18 months	6–12 (plus 2 SAC and 2 part-time)	3:1 for younger than 18 months; 8:1 with no more than 4 younger than 2 years, and no more than 3 younger than 18 months	Yes, if younger than school-age
Kansas 11	1-6 (must be registered)	6	Yes, if younger than age 12	3 younger than 18 months	7-12 (plus 4 SAC)	See State Notes	Yes, if younger than age 11
	7-10 (6 preschool 4 SAC)	See endnotes	Yes, if younger than age 11	3 younger than 18 months	NC
Kentucky	4–6 (plus 4 children related to provider)	6	Yes, if younger than age 6	4 younger than 1 year	7-12	5:1 for younger than 1 year; 6:1 for 1–2 years; 10:1 for 2–3 years; 12:1 for 3–4 years; 14:1 for 4–5 years; 15:1 for 5–7 years	Yes, if care is provided to them
Louisiana	NL (voluntary registration)				NL
Maine	3-12 (up to 8 preschool and 2 SAC, unless all SAC)	4 younger than 30 months; 8 older than 2 ½ years plus 2 SAC; 6, with no more than 3 younger than 2 ½ years plus 2 SAC; 12 SAC	No	4 younger than 30 months	NC
Maryland	1-8	8	Yes, if younger than age 6	2 younger than 2 years	NC
Massachusetts 12	1-6	6	Yes, if younger than age 10 and present more than 3 hours	3 younger than 2 years, if at least 1 is 15 months and can walk unassisted	7-10	6:1, with no more than 3 younger than 2 years, no more than 2 younger than 15 months	Yes, if younger than age 10 and present more than 3 hrs
Michigan	1-6	6	Yes, if younger than age 7	2 younger than 18 months; 4 younger than 30 months	7-12	6:1	Yes, if younger than age 7
Minnesota	2–6 (plus 4 SAC)	10, if 6 younger than kindergarten-age, with no more than 3 younger than 24 months, with no more than 2 younger than 1 year	Yes, if younger than age 11	3 younger than 24 months, with no more than 2 younger than 1 year unless have a specific license	Up to 14	10:1, with 8 younger than kindergarten-age, no more than 3 younger than 24 months, no more than 2 younger than 1 year; 12:1, with 10 younger than kindergarten-age, no more than 2 younger than 24 months, no more than 1 younger than 1 year	Yes, if younger than age 11
Mississippi	6–12	4:1 for younger than 1 year; 8:1 for 1 year; 12:1 for 2 years; 14:1 for 3 years; 16:1 for  4 years; 20:1 for 5–9 years; 25:1 for 10–12 years	Not specified	Not specified	13 or more	5:1 for younger than 1 year; 9:1 for 1 year; 12:1 for 2 years; 14:1 for 3 years; 16:1 for  4 years; 20:1 for 5–9 years; 25:1 for 10–12 years	Not specified
Missouri	5-10	10, if 2 younger than 2 years; 6, if 3 younger than 2 years; 4, if all younger than 2 years	No	4 younger than 2 years	11-20	4:1 for 0–2 years; 8:1 for 2 years; 10:1 for 3–4 years; 16:1 for 5 years and older; 10:1 for mixed ages older than 2 years; 8:1, with more than 4 2-year-olds	No
Montana 13	3-6	6	Yes, if younger than age 6	3 younger than 2 years	7-12	6:1; 4:1 for infants	Yes, if younger than age 6
Nebraska 14	4-8 (plus 2 SAC)	10, if 2 SAC during nonschool hours	Yes, if younger than age 8	3 younger than 18 months, with no more than 2 younger than 1 year	Up to 12	10:1, if no young preschoolers; 12:1, if all SAC	Yes, if younger than age 8
Nevada	5-6 (plus 3 SAC)	9, if 3 SAC	No, but additional SAC includes provider’s own children, if younger than age 10	4 younger than 2 years, with no more than 2 younger than 1 year	7-12 (plus 3 SAC)	6:1, with no more than 4 younger than 2 years and no more than 2 younger than 1 year	No, but additional SAC includes provider’s own children, if younger than age 10
New Hampshire	4-6 (plus 3 SAC)	6 preschool-age and 3 SAC, with no more than 4 younger than 3 years, and no more than 2 younger than 24 months; 5 preschool-age and 3 SAC, with no more than 4 younger than 3 years, and no more than 2 younger than 2 years; 4 younger than 3 years	Yes, if younger than age 10	4 younger than 3 years, with no more than 2 younger than 24 months	7-12 (plus 5 SAC)	17:2 (includes 5 SAC), with no more than 4 younger than age 3	Yes, if younger than age 10
New Jersey	NL (voluntary certification)				NL
New Mexico	5-6	6	Yes, if younger than age 6	2 younger than 2 years	7-12	6:1, with no more than 2 younger than 2 years	Yes, if younger than age 6
New York15	3-6 (plus 2 SAC)	6, if none are younger than 2 years; 5, if one or more are younger than 2 years	Yes, if not yet enrolled in kindergarten or higher grade	2 younger than 2 years	7-12 (plus 2 SAC)	6:1; 2:1 younger than 2 years	Yes, if not yet enrolled in kindergarten or higher grade
North Carolina	3-5 (plus 3 SAC)	8, with no more than 5 preschool-age or younger	Yes, if preschool-age or younger	NA	NC
North Dakota 16	4-7 (plus 2 SAC for 2 hours before and after school, and school vacation)	9, if 2 are SAC; 4, if all younger than 2 years	Yes, if younger than age 12	3 younger than 2 years, if exceeds 4 children	8-18	4:1 for younger than 2 years; 5:1 for 2–3 years; 7:1 for 3–4 years; 10:1 for 4–5 years; 12:1 for 5–6 years; 18:1 for  6–12 years	NA
Ohio	NL				7–12; or 4–12, if 4 or more are younger than 2 years	6:1	Yes, if younger than age 6
Oklahoma	1-7	5 for any age; 6, with no more than 3 younger than 2 years; 7, with no more than 2 younger than 2 years	Yes, if younger than age 5	5 younger than 2 years	8-12	5:1 for any age; 6:1, with no more than 3 younger than 2 years; 7:1, with no more than 2 younger than 2 years; 7:1, if all 2 years and older; 8:1, if all 3 years and older; 10:1, if all 4 years and older; 12:1, if all 5 years and older	Yes, if younger than age 5
Oregon 17	4-10 (plus 4 SAC)	10	Yes, if younger than age 13	2 younger than 2 years	7–16	See State Notes	Yes, if younger than age 13
Pennsylvania18	4-6	6	Yes, if infants and/or toddlers	5 toddlers, if no infants; 4 toddlers, if 1 infant; 3 toddlers, if 2 infants	7–12 (plus 3 SAC)	See State Notes	Yes
Rhode Island	4-8	6 younger than 6 years, with no child younger than 18 months; 4 younger than 6 years, with no more than 2 younger than 18 months	Yes, if younger than 6 years or, if more than 2 are younger than 12 years and present more than 3 hours	2 younger than 18 months	9-12	4:1 for younger than 2 years; 6:1 for 2 years and older	Yes, if younger than 6 years or if more than 2 are younger than 12 years and present more than 3 hours
South Carolina	2-6	6	Yes, if younger than age 12	NA	7-12	8:1, with no more than 3 younger than 2 years	Yes, if younger than age 10
South Dakota	NL (voluntary registration)				13-20 (plus 3 SAC)	5:1 for 0–3 years; 10:1 for 3–6 years; 15:1 for 6 years and older	Yes
Tennessee 19	5–7 (plus 5 children related to the provider)	7	Yes, if younger than age 9	4 younger than 2 years	8-12 (plus 3 SAC)	See State Notes	Yes, if younger than age 9
Texas20	4-6 (plus 6 SAC)	12	Yes, if younger than age 14	4 younger than 17 months	Up to 12	See State Notes	Yes, if younger than age 14
Utah21	5-8	8	Yes, if younger than age 4	2 younger than 2 years	9-16	8:1, with no more than 2 younger than age 2; 12:1 for SAC	Yes, if younger than age 12
Vermont22	3–6 (plus 4 SAC)	10, with 4 SAC	Yes, if younger than age 2	3 younger than 2 years	NC
	3–12	3:1 for younger than 3 years; 6:1, with no more than 2 younger than 2 years	Yes, if preschool-age or younger or, if homebound	2 younger than 2 years	NC
Virginia23	NL (voluntary registration)				6-12	See State Notes	Yes, if younger than age 8
Washington24	1-12	See State Notes	Yes, if younger than age 12	2 younger than 2 years	NC
West Virginia	4-6	6	Yes, if younger than age 6	2 younger than 2 years	7-12	6:1, with no more than 2 infants	Yes, if younger than age 6
Wisconsin25	4-8	8	Yes, if younger than age 7	4 younger than 2 years	NC
Wyoming	3-10	10	Yes, if preschool-age or younger	2 younger than 2 years	Up to 15	2:1 for birth–1 year; 8:1 for 2 years and older	Yes, if preschool-age or younger

Key:
NA = Not addressed in regulations
NC = No category of facility
NL = Facility not licensed
SAC = school-age children

Source: Data compiled by NCCIC from child care licensing regulations posted on the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education Web site at http://nrc.uchsc.edu/STATES/states.htm on June 14, 2007.

Endnotes:

^*States includes the District of Columbia for a total of 51 entities. Back

For the purposes of this document, a licensed program is required to have permission from the State to operate and must meet specified family child care standards. Some States may call their regulatory processes certification or registration; the term licensed is used to represent all regulatory processes.
Several States have county or city licensing regulations that may supersede State requirements; this table does not include such regulations.

California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Minnesota, Oregon, South Carolina, and Wyoming exclude child care that is provided for the children of only one family.

Vermont exempts family child care that is provided for the children of one or two families, unless it receives public funds.

State Notes:

¹ Alaska: A large family child care home (“child care group home”) requires only one provider if the provider has completed 1 year of licensed home child care or the equivalent or meets the college credit or CDA requirements and there are no more than a total of 10 children, with no children younger than the age of 30 months; or no more than a total of 12 children who are all school-age. Family child care regulations governing group size and ratio differ slightly between the State and the city of Anchorage. Back

² Arizona: Regulations for large family child care homes include a staffing option of one provider caring for up to five children. Licensing is voluntary for these homes, unless the home receives public funds. Back

³Arkansas: A licensed home may care for two school-age children for not more than 3 hours per day before and/or after a school day; these two children are not required to be counted in the child-staff ratio. Back

⁴ California: For a small family child care home, the maximum number of children for whom care shall be provided, including children younger than age 10 who live in the licensee’s home are four infants; six children, no more than three of whom may be infants; or eight children, if at least two of the children are at least 6 years of age, no more than two infants are cared for during any time when more than six children are cared for, and the licensee notifies each parent that there may be up to seven or eight children in the home at one time. Large family child care homes may care for up to 14 children when at least 2 are at least 6 years of age, no more than 3 infants are in care, and the licensee notifies each parent that there may be up to 13 or 14 children in the home at one time. Back

⁵Colorado: Separate rules apply to infant and toddler and experienced provider homes. Back

⁶ Delaware: There are two levels of small family child care homes.  A Level II provider has more extensive qualifications, as demonstrated by education, credentials, or experience specified in the rules, and is permitted to enroll more children. In Level I homes, the provider must meet the qualifications for initial licensure. The following table is an example of the differences that are permitted when the provider is more qualified:

	Maximum number of children	Number younger than 2 years	Number younger than 1 year	Additional school-age children	Total
Level I	4	3	2	2	4+2=6
Level II	6	4	2	2	6+2=8

There are two types of large family child care homes. Type 1 large family child care homes may care for 7–12 children. A Type 2 large family child care home is also called an “infant/toddler” home. The data reported in the table are for Level l small family child care homes and Type 1 large family child care homes. Back

⁷Georgia: In large (“group”) homes, mixed-age ratios are determined by the age of youngest child if younger than 3; ratios in groups with children older than 3 years of age are determined by the age of the majority of children. Back

⁸ Idaho:Voluntary licensing is available for family child care homes. State certification is required for large family child care homes, which includes obtaining a fire inspection and a staff criminal history check. Back

⁹ Illinois: One provider may care for a group consisting of up to eight children younger than age 12, of which up to five children may be younger than age 5, of which up to three children may be younger than age 2; or up to eight children younger than age 12, of which up to six may be younger than age 5, of which up to two may be younger than 30 months of age. In a large/group family child care home, the provider and assistant may care for 16 children: no more than 12 can be younger than age 6 and no more than 6 can be younger than 30 months of age, of which no more than 4 can be younger than 15 months of age. Back

¹⁰ Iowa: Homes caring for five or fewer children are not required to register. Iowa registers three types of family child care homes; categories A, B, and C. The data reported in the table for small family child care are for category A homes. Requirements for category C homes are reported under large family child care. Back

¹¹ Kansas: Kansas regulates two types of small homes. Homes with one to six children must be registered and can be licensed voluntarily. Homes with 7 to 10 children must be licensed.

In a licensed small family child care home serving 7–10 children, one provider may care for the following:

Maximum Number Younger than 18 months	Maximum Number 18 Months to Kindergarten-Age	Kindergarten-Age to 11 Years	Total Maximum
0	7	3	10
1	5	4	10
2	4	3	9
3	3	2	8

In a licensed large family child care home serving 7–12 children, the maximum number of children is as follows:

License Capacity, One Adult			License Capacity, Two Adults
Age of Children Enrolled	License Capacity		Max Younger than 18 Months	Max 18 Months to Kindergarten-Age	Kindergarten-Age to Age 11	License Capacity	Max Younger than 18 Months	Max 18 Months to 2 ½ years	License Capacity
2 ½ years to 11 years	9		0	7	3	10	0	5	12
3 years to 11 years	10		1	5	4	10
Kindergarten-age to 11 years	12		2	4	3	9
			3	3	2	8

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¹² Massachusetts: A third category of family child care homes, Family Child Care Plus Home, is regulated by the licensing office. A provider in a Family Child Care Plus Home may care for up to eight children, provided that at least two of the eight children are school-age. Back

¹³ Montana: Small family child care homes providing care to infants only may enroll up to four infants. Large family child care homes providing care to infants only may enroll up to eight infants. Back

¹⁴ Nebraska: The number of providers required and the maximum size of the group depends on the ages of children enrolled. The following table summarizes the requirements.
  

Ages and Number of Children		Family Child Care Homes I: Number of Providers	Family Child Care Homes II: Number of Providers
Infants Only	4	1	1
	5–8	2	2
	9–12	N/A	3
Mixed Ages	8	1	1
	9–10	1	1
	9–12	N/A	2
School-Age	9–10	1	1
	11–12	N/A	1

N/A = Not applicable  Back

¹⁵ New York: A maximum of 10 children are allowed in large family child care homes if any child is younger than 2 years old. Back

¹⁶ North Dakota: A small family child care home must be licensed if it cares for four or more children ages 24 months and younger, or six or more children at any time.  Back

¹⁷ Oregon: The following tables summarize the child-staff ratios for large/group family child care homes:

A) If all children in care are in the same age group, the following determines the staff-child ratio.

Table A

Ages of Children in Care	Group Size	Staff-Child Ratio	Notes
6 weeks to 24 months	12	1:4	If more than 12 children are in care, the groups must be separated; if more than 8 of the 13 children in care are infants or toddlers the group size, may not exceed 8.
24 months to eligible for 1st  grade	12	1:10	If more than 12 children are in care, the groups must be separated.
eligible for 1st  grade to age 13	16	1:15	Children may be one group; there must be a second provider if more than 15 school age children are in care.

B) If children in care include any infants and/or toddlers, the following table determines the staff-child ratio.

Table B

Ages of Children in Care	Group Size	Child-Staff Ratio	Notes
One child younger than 24 months	12	1:8	If more than 12 children are in care and 1 is younger than 24 months, the group must be separated. Each group must meet the appropriate staff-child ratio. Practice note: groups may be arranged to have the younger child in a separate group with 1:8 ratio. For other group use ratios in Table A if all children are the same age; use Table C if mixed ages.
Two children younger than 24 months	12	1:7	If more than 12 children are in care and 2 are younger than 24 months, the group must be separated. Each group must meet the appropriate child-staff ratio. Practice note: groups may be arranged to have the younger children in a separate group with 1:7 ratio. For other group use ratios in Table A if all children are the same age; use Table C if mixed ages.
Three children younger than 24 months	12	1:6	If more than 12 children are in care and over 3 are younger than 24 months, the group must be separated. Each group must meet the appropriate child-staff ratio. Practice note: groups may be arranged to have the younger children in a group with 1:6 ratio. For other group use ratios in Table A if all children are the same age; use Table C if mixed ages.
Four or more children younger than 24 months	12	1:4	If more than 12 children are in care and 4 are younger than 24 months; the group must be separated. Each group must meet the appropriate staff-child ratio and if more than 8 infants or toddlers are in care group size may not exceed 8. Practice note: groups may be arranged to have the younger children in a separate group with 1:4 ratios in Table A if all children are the same age; use Table C if mixed ages.

C) If children in care include a mix of only preschool- and school-age children, the following table determines the staff-child ratio.

Table C

Ages of Children in Care	Group Size	Child-Staff Ratio	Notes
One child in care aged 24 months to eligible for 1st  grade; the rest of children in care are school-age	12	1:12	If more than 12 children are in care, the groups must be separated to create groups of 12 or fewer children.
Between 2 and 12 children are between 24 months and eligible for 1st grade, the rest of the children in care are school-age	12	1:10	If more than 12 children are in care, the groups must be separated to create groups of 12 or fewer children.

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¹⁸ Pennsylvania: The following table provides the large/group family child care home ratio and group sizes allowed by the State.

Same-Age Groupings			Mixed Ages
Age	Max Group Size	Child-Staff Ratio	Age	Max Group Size	Child-Staff Ratio
Birth–12 months	12	4:1	Birth–36 months	12	4:1
13–24 months	12	5:1	13 –36 months	12	5:1
25–36 months	12	6:1	25 months–6 years	12	6:1
37 months–6 years	12	10:1	37 months–8 years	12	10:1
6–8 years	12	12:1	6–15 years	12	12:1
9–15 years	15	15:1

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¹⁹ Tennessee:

Number of Caregivers Required 1	Maximum Number of Children and Ages 2
1	Maximum of 15 present and no child present is under 3 years of age. 3
2	Maximum of 15 present and at least 1 child up to a maximum of 9 children present are under 3 years of age, but no more than 4 present are under 2 years of age. 3
3	Maximum of 15 if 10 or more are under 3 years of age. 3
1 If any child’s physical or mental condition requires special care, if children under 9 living in the home increases the group size, or when a field trip is taken off premises, the number of caregivers required shall be increased by one. Back 2 Before 8 or more children are enrolled, the facility shall be approved by a fire safety inspector and by an environmentalist. Back 3 If over 12 children are enrolled, the additional children shall be of school-age and a school-age program shall be provided. Back

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²⁰ Texas:Texas requires family child care homes that care for one to three children to be listed with the State. No inspections are conducted, and there are no standards to meet. Small family child care homes are required to be registered and meet State requirements; large family child care homes are required to be licensed. Regulations for registered and licensed homes are combined, with specific stipulations included for each type of home. The following tables present the child-staff ratios and maximum group sizes allowed by the State. A large (licensed) family child care home with 3 providers may care for up to 12 children of any age birth through age 13.

Small (Registered) Family Child Care Combinations					Large (Licensed) Family Child Care Combinations with One Provider					Large (Licensed) Family Child Care Combinations with Two Providers
0–17 Months	18 Months and Older	SAC 5 Years and Older	Max		0–17 Months	18 Months–3 Years	4 Years and Older	Max		0–17 Months	18 Months and Older	Max
0	6	6	12		0	8	4	12		0	12	12
0	5	7	12		0	7	5	12		1	11	12
0	4	8	12		0	6	6	12		2	10	12
0	3	9	12		0	5	7	12		3	9	12
0	2	10	12		0	4	8	12		4	8	12
0	1	11	12		0	3	9	12		5	7	12
0	0	12	12		0	2	10	12		6	6	12
1	5	4	10		0	1	11	12		7	5	12
1	4	5	10		0	0	12	12		8	4	12
1	3	6	10		1	6	4	11		9	3	12
1	2	7	10		1	5	5	11		10	0	10
1	1	8	10		1	4	6	11
1	0	9	10		1	3	7	11
2	4	2	8		1	2	8	11
2	3	3	8		1	1	9	11
2	2	4	8		1	0	10	11
2	1	5	8		2	5	3	10
2	0	6	8		2	4	4	10
3	3	1	7		2	3	5	10
3	2	2	7		2	2	6	10
3	1	3	7		2	1	7	10
3	0	4	7		2	0	8	10
4	2	0	6		3	2	1	6
4	1	1	6		3	1	2	6
4	0	2	6		4	0	0	4

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²¹ Utah: Small family child care homes that care for up to four children may voluntarily become registered; homes that care for one to eight children may elect to become licensed. Small family child care requirements reported in the table are for homes required to have a residential certificate. Back

²² Vermont: Vermont regulates two types of small homes. Homes with 3­–6 children must be registered, and homes with 3–12 children are licensed. A registered family child care home may care for up to 12 children during the summer if 2 caregivers are on duty. In a licensed family child care home, when only children younger than age 3 are enrolled, two staff are required for four to seven children, and three staff are required when eight or more children are in care.  Back

²³ Virginia:

In determining the need for an assistant, the following ratios are required, including the provider’s own and resident children younger than 8 years of age:

Age of Child	Ratio
Birth–15 months	4:1
16–23 months	5:1
2–4 years	8:1
5–9 years	16:1
10 years and older	Not counted

When children are in mixed-age groups, the provider shall apply the following point system in determining the need for an assistant. Each caregiver shall not exceed 16 points. The provider's own and resident children under 8 years of age count in point maximums.

Age of Child	Points
Birth–15 months	4
16–23 months	3
2–4 years	2
5–9 years	1
10 years and older	0

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²⁴ Washington:

Number of Providers Required	Age Range	Max Number of Children Younger than 2 Years	Max Number of  Children
A. Licensee	Birth–11 years	2	6
B. Licensee with 1 year experience	2–11 years	None	8
C. Licensee with 1 year experience	5–11 years	None	10
D. Licensee with 1 year experience plus assistant	Birth–11 years	4	9
E. Licensee with 2 years experience and one early care and education (ECE)  class	3–11 years	None	10
F. Licensee with 2 years experience and one ECE class plus assistant	Birth–11 years	4	12

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²⁵ Wisconsin: The maximum number of children per provider allowed by the State is outlined in the following chart.

Maximum Number of Children Per Provider
Younger than 2 Years	2 Years and Older	Max Number of Additional Children in First Grade or Above, in Care for Fewer than 3 Hours a Day	Max Number Per Provider
0	8	0	8
1	7	0	8
2	5	1	8
3	2	3	8
4	0	2	6

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