Licensing rules · Delaware
Daycare ratios in Delaware
In a Delaware daycare center, one adult may care for up to 4 babies, 6 children at 18 months, 10 three-year-olds or 12 four-year-olds. Group sizes run from 8 babies up to 24 four-year-olds.
- Babies (6 weeks)
- 1:4
- Toddlers (18 months)
- 1:6
- 3-year-olds
- 1:10
- 4-year-olds
- 1:12
Daycare centers
Ratios and group sizes in Delaware centers
The most children one adult may care for, and the largest group allowed in one room, at each age. From Delaware'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 | 1:61 adult for 6 children | 12 children |
| 35 months | 1:81 adult for 8 children | 16 children |
| 3 years | 1:101 adult for 10 children | 20 children |
| 4 years | 1:121 adult for 12 children | 24 children |
| 5 years | 1:151 adult for 15 children | 30 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; Delaware'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 once. With babies at 1:4, an infant room of 8, the most Delaware allows in one group, needs at least 2 caregivers. At 35 months the ratio is 1:8, so a full group of 16 needs 2.
The ratio is a minimum. Early mornings, nap time and pick-up are when a room is most likely to run short, so count the adults and children yourself on a tour and ask how the daycare covers staff breaks.
When a room mixes ages, Delaware's rules set the ratio by the age of the youngest child.
Home daycares
Rules for home daycares in Delaware
Delaware home daycares have much smaller limits than centers, shown below. A family home with one provider takes only a few children, and a large family home with an assistant has a cap on how many children may be under 12 months and under 24 months.
Ask a home provider how many babies and toddlers are in the group right now, who the assistant is, and what happens on days the provider is out.
- As the national database records them
- Family child care home (one provider): the rule reads: “4 (plus 2 school-age children) or 5 preschool-age.”
- Group child care home (two or more providers): the rule reads (children to adults): “One provider or assistant can care for six children preschool-age or younger and three additional school-age children who do not live in the large family home and attend only for before school, after school, during school holidays, and during school vacation. 1. No more than two of the nine children are under the age of 12 months; and 2. No more than four of the nine children are under the age of 24 months; and 3. No more than nine children may be present at any time. School-age children may fill preschool-age or younger children's spaces.” Largest group: 12 children.
Enforcement
How Delaware checks these rules
- Centers: Delaware 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 2.9% of the rules Delaware inspectors cited since October 2023.
What Delaware 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 Delaware
What is the infant ratio for daycare centers in Delaware?
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 Delaware?
1:6 at 18 months, with groups of up to 12, and 1:8 at 35 months, with groups of up to 16.
What is the ratio for 4-year-olds in Delaware daycares?
1:12, with up to 24 children in a group. At 3 years it is 1:10 with groups of up to 20.
How many children can a Delaware home daycare have?
A family home with one provider may care for 4 children plus 2 school-age children, or 5 of preschool age. A large family home may have up to 12.
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 2.9% of the rules cited in Delaware's records since October 2023.
Rules change. Before you rely on a number here, check Delaware'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.