Licensing rules · District of Columbia
Daycare ratios in District of Columbia
In a DC daycare center, one adult may care for up to 4 children from 6 weeks to 35 months, 8 three-year-olds or 10 four-year-olds. Groups are capped at 8 for children under 3 and 20 for four-year-olds.
- Babies (6 weeks)
- 1:4
- Toddlers (18 months)
- 1:4
- 3-year-olds
- 1:8
- 4-year-olds
- 1:10
Daycare centers
Ratios and group sizes in District of Columbia centers
The most children one adult may care for, and the largest group allowed in one room, at each age. From District of Columbia'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 | 1:41 adult for 4 children | 8 children |
| 3 years | 1:81 adult for 8 children | 16 children |
| 4 years | 1:101 adult for 10 children | 20 children |
| 5 years | 1:121 adult for 12 children | 24 children |
| 6 years | 1:151 adult for 15 children | 30 children |
| 7 years | 1:151 adult for 15 children | 30 children |
| 8 to 9 years | 1:151 adult for 15 children | 30 children |
| 10 years and older | 1:151 adult for 15 children | 30 children |
The national database reads each state's rule at these sample ages; District of Columbia'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. The District keeps 1:4 for every age under 3, so a full group of 8 babies or toddlers needs at least 2 caregivers. At 3 years, a group of 16 at 1:8 also needs 2.
The ratio is a minimum. Rooms are most likely to fall short at drop-off, nap breaks and pick-up, so count the adults and children yourself on a tour and ask how the daycare covers breaks.
When a room mixes ages, District of Columbia's rules set the ratio by the age of the youngest child.
Home daycares
Rules for home daycares in District of Columbia
DC home daycares have their own limits, shown below. A family home with one provider may care for up to 6 children. In a group home, the number of children allowed falls as the number of children under 2 rises, and more babies means more caregivers.
If you are looking at a home daycare for a baby, ask how many children under 2 are in the group and how many adults are there at all times.
- As the national database records them
- Family child care home (one provider): up to 6 children.
- Group child care home (two or more providers): the rule reads (children to adults): “6:1, max. group size 12 - 1 child under 2 years of age and 1 to 11 children over 2 years of age 6:1, max. group size 6 - 2 children under 2 years of age and 1 to 4 children over 2 years of age 3:1 (but at least 2 caregivers), max. group size 9 - 3 children under 2 years of age and1 to 6 children over 2 years of age 3:1 (but at least 2 caregivers), max. group size 12 - 4 children under 2 years of age and 1 to 8 children over 2 years of age 3 caregivers are needed if more than 4 children under 2 years of age - max. group size is 9.” Largest group: 12 children.
Enforcement
How District of Columbia checks these rules
- Centers: District of Columbia reported routine inspections twice a year, without notice.
- Family child care homes: routine inspections twice a year, without notice.
- In the inspection records: rules on supervision and ratios were 5.4% of the rules District of Columbia inspectors cited since October 2023, and 47% of the daycares visited had one cited.
What District of Columbia 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
- 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 District of Columbia
What is the infant ratio for daycare centers in DC?
1:4. One adult may care for up to 4 babies, with no more than 8 in a group.
What is the toddler ratio in DC?
1:4 at both 18 months and 35 months, the same as for babies, with groups of up to 8.
What is the ratio for 4-year-olds in DC daycares?
1:10, with up to 20 children in a group. At 3 years it is 1:8 with groups of up to 16.
How many children can a DC home daycare have?
A family home with one provider may care for up to 6 children. A group home may have up to 12, with fewer allowed when more of the children are under 2.
How do I check whether a daycare keeps to the ratio?
Count adults and children on your tour, and read the daycare's inspection record: supervision and ratio rules were cited at 47% of DC daycares visited since October 2023.
Rules change. Before you rely on a number here, check District of Columbia'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.