Licensing rules · Connecticut
Daycare ratios in Connecticut
In a Connecticut daycare center, one adult may care for up to 4 children from babyhood through 18 months, 5 at 35 months, and 10 from age 3 up. Groups may hold up to 8 babies and toddlers, 10 at 35 months and 20 children from age 3.
- Babies (6 weeks)
- 1:4
- Toddlers (18 months)
- 1:4
- 3-year-olds
- 1:10
- 4-year-olds
- 1:10
Daycare centers
Ratios and group sizes in Connecticut centers
The most children one adult may care for, and the largest group allowed in one room, at each age. From Connecticut's licensing rules as compiled in the 2025 national database.
| Child's age | Adults to children | Largest group |
|---|---|---|
| 6 weeks | 1:41 adult for 4 children | 8 children |
| 11 months | 1:41 adult for 4 children | 8 children |
| 18 months | 1:41 adult for 4 children | 8 children |
| 35 months | 1:51 adult for 5 children | 10 children |
| 3 years | 1:101 adult for 10 children | 20 children |
| 4 years | 1:101 adult for 10 children | 20 children |
| 5 years | 1:101 adult for 10 children | 20 children |
| 6 years | 1:101 adult for 10 children | 20 children |
| 7 years | 1:101 adult for 10 children | 20 children |
| 8 to 9 years | 1:101 adult for 10 children | 20 children |
| 10 years and older | 1:101 adult for 10 children | 20 children |
The national database reads each state's rule at these sample ages; Connecticut'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. Connecticut keeps 1:4 until 18 months, so a full group of 8 babies or young toddlers needs 2 caregivers with them, and a preschool group of 20 at 1:10 needs 2 as well.
The ratio is a minimum, not what every room looks like all day. Early mornings, nap time and late afternoons are when staffing runs thinnest. On your tour, count the adults and children in the room yourself, and ask how lunch breaks are covered.
When a room mixes ages, Connecticut's rules set the ratio by the age of the youngest child.
Home daycares
Rules for home daycares in Connecticut
A Connecticut family home daycare may care for up to 6 children, plus up to 3 school-age children, usually with one provider. Ask how many of the children are babies or toddlers and who steps in when the provider is sick or needs a break.
A group home daycare may care for up to 12 children, at 4 children per adult under age 3 and 10 per adult from age 3. Ask how many adults are in the home at drop-off, nap time and pick-up.
- As the national database records them
- Family child care home (one provider): up to 6 children (plus 3 school-age children).
- Group child care home (two or more providers): the rule reads (children to adults): “4:1 for children younger than 3 years; 10:1 for children 3 years and older.” Largest group: 12 children.
Enforcement
How Connecticut checks these rules
- Centers: Connecticut reported routine inspections once a year, without notice.
- Family child care homes: routine inspections once a year, without notice.
- In the inspection records: rules on supervision and ratios were 5.8% of the rules Connecticut inspectors cited since October 2023, and 35% of the daycares visited had one cited.
What Connecticut 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 644 Connecticut daycare websites we read post a staff-to-child ratio
- 3.9%
- 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 Connecticut
What is the infant ratio for daycare centers in Connecticut?
1:4. One adult may care for up to 4 babies, and an infant group may hold no more than 8.
What is the toddler ratio in Connecticut?
1:4 at 18 months, with up to 8 in a group, and 1:5 at 35 months, just before age 3, with up to 10 in a group.
What is the ratio for 4-year-olds in Connecticut daycares?
1:10, with up to 20 children in a group. The same limits apply from age 3 and to school-age children.
How many children can a Connecticut home daycare have?
A family home daycare may care for up to 6 children plus up to 3 school-age children. A group home daycare may care for up to 12.
How do I check whether a daycare keeps to the ratio?
Count the adults and children in the room on your tour, and read the daycare's inspection record: supervision and ratio rules were cited at 35% of the Connecticut daycares visited since October 2023.
Rules change. Before you rely on a number here, check Connecticut'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.