Licensing rules · Arkansas
Daycare ratios in Arkansas
In an Arkansas daycare center, one adult may care for up to 5 babies, 8 children at 18 months, 12 three-year-olds or 15 four-year-olds. Each room has a size limit as well, from 10 babies up to 30 four-year-olds.
- Babies (6 weeks)
- 1:5
- Toddlers (18 months)
- 1:8
- 3-year-olds
- 1:12
- 4-year-olds
- 1:15
Daycare centers
Ratios and group sizes in Arkansas centers
The most children one adult may care for, and the largest group allowed in one room, at each age. From Arkansas's licensing rules as compiled in the 2025 national database.
| Child's age | Adults to children | Largest group |
|---|---|---|
| 6 weeks | 1:51 adult for 5 children | 10 children |
| 11 months | 1:51 adult for 5 children | 10 children |
| 18 months | 1:81 adult for 8 children | 16 children |
| 35 months | 1:81 adult for 8 children | 16 children |
| 3 years | 1:121 adult for 12 children | 24 children |
| 4 years | 1:151 adult for 15 children | 30 children |
| 5 years | 1:181 adult for 18 children | 36 children |
| 6 years | 1:181 adult for 18 children | 36 children |
| 7 years | 1:181 adult for 18 children | 36 children |
| 8 to 9 years | 1:181 adult for 18 children | 36 children |
| 10 years and older | 1:181 adult for 18 children | 36 children |
The national database reads each state's rule at these sample ages; Arkansas's own rules give the exact age bands.
In the room
What the ratio means for your child
A ratio is the most children one adult may care for at the same time. With babies at 1:5 and a room limit of 10, a full infant room in Arkansas needs at least 2 caregivers, plus someone to step in when one of them takes a break.
The ratio is the minimum the rules allow, not a staffing promise. Supervision and ratio rules were 19.9% of the rules Arkansas inspectors cited since October 2023, so on your tour count the adults and children yourself, and ask who covers the room during breaks.
When a room mixes ages, Arkansas's rules set the ratio by the age of the youngest child.
Home daycares
Rules for home daycares in Arkansas
In an Arkansas family home daycare, one provider's limit depends on how young the children are: the more babies and toddlers in the group, the fewer children in total. A home with all children age 3 or older may care for the most.
The national database lists no licensing rules for group home daycares in Arkansas. If a home daycare has two or more caregivers, ask which rules it follows and how many children under age 2 are in the group.
- As the national database records them
- Family child care home (one provider): the rule reads: “Maximum number of children with 1 caregiver: 10, if all children are 3-up; 9, if all children are 2-up (no more than 3 between 2 and 3 years) 8, if all children are 0-up (no more than 1 under 2 years) 7, if all children are 0-up (no more than 2 under 2 years) 3 - 6, if all children are 0-up (no more than 3 under 2 years)”
- Group child care home (two or more providers): no licensing rules listed for this setting in Arkansas.
Enforcement
How Arkansas checks these rules
- Centers: Arkansas reported routine inspections three times a year, without notice.
- Family child care homes: routine inspections three times a year, without notice.
- In the inspection records: rules on supervision and ratios were 19.9% of the rules Arkansas inspectors cited since October 2023, and 18% of the daycares visited had one cited.
What Arkansas inspectors cite shows the rule areas cited most often.
Inspection schedules are from a 2017 national survey of state licensing agencies.
On the tour
Ask about ratios on a tour
- of the 665 Arkansas daycare websites we read post a staff-to-child ratio
- 1.8%
- How many adults are in my child's room, and how many children?
- How do staff keep track of every child during outdoor play, nap and pick-up?
- Who may pick up my child, and how do you check?
- Is the ratio the same at the start and end of the day, when fewer staff are in?
More questions: the daycare tour checklist.
Questions
Questions about daycare ratios in Arkansas
What is the infant ratio for daycare centers in Arkansas?
1:5. One adult may care for up to 5 babies, and an infant room may hold no more than 10.
What is the toddler ratio in Arkansas?
1:8 at both 18 months and 35 months, with groups of up to 16 children.
What is the ratio for 4-year-olds in Arkansas daycares?
1:15, with up to 30 children in a group. At 3 years the ratio is 1:12, with up to 24 in a group.
How many children can an Arkansas home daycare have?
Up to 10 with one provider when every child is 3 or older. The limit drops as younger children join the group, so ask how many babies and toddlers a home cares for.
How do I check whether an Arkansas daycare keeps to the ratio?
Count the adults and children in the room on your tour and ask. Only 1.8% of the 665 Arkansas daycare websites we read post a staff-to-child ratio, so the tour is where you find out.
Rules change. Before you rely on a number here, check Arkansas's current licensing rules or ask the state licensing agency.
Source: National Database of Child Care Licensing Regulations, Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families (licensingregulations.acf.hhs.gov), 2025 tables, retrieved October 7, 2026. Website figure: daycare websites read in 2026.