Adult to Child Ratios

Family/Group Home Child Care

ADULT/CHILD RATIO
Age Groups of Children

Caregiving StaffChildren < 18 mo.   +     Children 18-29 mos.+Children 30+ mos.=TOTAL

Each caregiver may
supervise up to 6
children at any one
time in any of the
following combinations
of age groups of
children.
0         +
0         +
0         +
0         +
0         +
1         +
1         +
1         +
1         +
2         +
2         +
2        +

0              +6
1              +5
2              +4
3              +3
4              +2
0              +5
1              +4
2              +3
3              +2
0              +4
1              +3
2             +2

=6
=6
=6
=6
=6
=6
=6
=6
=6
=6
=6
=6
Child Care Centers  (We've tried to write these in a way that is easily understood; if you have questions, please contact the Midland County licensing representatives at 835-7040.)

Ratio of caregivers to infants/young toddlers/older toddlers:
1)  There must be 2 adults present at all times if you have 3 or more children.
*Infants/Young toddlers, age 0-30 months = 1 caregiver for every 4 children, including children related to staff/employees
*Older toddlers, age 30-36 months = 1 caregiver for every 8 children (for example, if you have 9 children, there are to be 2 staff)
*Children who have reached 33 months may be enrolled in the 3-year-old classroom with written parental permission.
Ratio rules for 3-year-old children apply.
2)  If there are mixed ages of children in the same room or well-defined space, the ratio is determined by the youngest age of the child.
Group Size for infants, young toddlers, and older toddlers:
The maximum group size is 12 for infants/young toddlers.
The maximum group size is 16 for older toddlers.
Centers have until December 7, 2007 to comply with this new rule.

Ratio of caregivers to preschool children:
A minimum of 2 adults for 7 or more children
For children age 3, 1 caregiver for every 10 children
For children age 4, 1 caregiver for every 12 children
If there are mixed ages in the room, the ratio is determined by the age of the youngest child in the room unless the groups are clearly separated and the appropriate ratios for each age group are maintained.

Ratio of caregivers to school-age children:
For school age children up to 12 years of age = 1 caregiver to 18 children
For school age children 13-17 years of age = 1 caregiver for 25 children

Keep in mind that ratios change for special activities, such as swimming.  If you have any question regarding the number of adults you see with a group of children, please feel free to call the licensing consultant for Midland County, Marcia Demski, at
Midland County DHS
1509 Washington Avenue, Suite A
Midland MI 48641
General #: 989-835-7040


The information above was taken from the 2006 licensing rules for 1) Family and Group Child Care Homes which took effect on January 1, 2006; and 2) Child Care Centers which took effect on December 7, 2006.  To read a full copy of these licensing rules, you will find them online at www.michigan.gov/dhs.  You may also request a written copy from
Michigan Department of Human Services
Office of Children and Adult Licensing
7109 W. Saginaw Street
P. O. Box 30650
Lansing, MI  48909-8150


Parents often ask us what the ratio is for children:adults in child care.  The answer is a little complicated, so we decided to create a webpage with that information according to the 2006 child care licensing rules in the state of Michigan.