Licensing rules · Maryland
Daycare ratios in Maryland
In a Maryland daycare center, one adult may care for up to 3 babies or 3 children at 18 months, 6 at 35 months, and 10 three- or four-year-olds. Rooms are capped at 6 babies, 9 children at 18 months and 20 preschoolers.
- Babies (6 weeks)
- 1:3
- Toddlers (18 months)
- 1:3
- 3-year-olds
- 1:10
- 4-year-olds
- 1:10
Daycare centers
Ratios and group sizes in Maryland centers
The most children one adult may care for, and the largest group allowed in one room, at each age. From Maryland's licensing rules as compiled in the 2025 national database.
| Child's age | Adults to children | Largest group |
|---|---|---|
| 6 weeks | 1:31 adult for 3 children | 6 children |
| 11 months | 1:31 adult for 3 children | 6 children |
| 18 months | 1:31 adult for 3 children | 9 children |
| 35 months | 1:61 adult for 6 children | 12 children |
| 3 years | 1:101 adult for 10 children | 20 children |
| 4 years | 1:101 adult for 10 children | 20 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; Maryland'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. At 1:3 for babies, a full room of 6 infants needs at least 2 caregivers. At 1:10 for 3- and 4-year-olds, a room of 20 needs 2.
The ratio is a minimum to check. A room can meet it at mid-morning and fall short at drop-off or pick-up. Count the adults and children yourself on your tour. Supervision and ratio rules were 12.8% of the rules Maryland inspectors cited since October 2023, cited at 22% of the daycares visited.
When a room mixes ages, Maryland's rules set the ratio by a ratio written for mixed-age groups.
Home daycares
Rules for home daycares in Maryland
Maryland family child care homes are kept to 8 children, and large family child care homes, with more than one adult, may care for 9 to 12.
Ask a home daycare how many babies and toddlers it cares for, whether another adult helps, and who takes over when the provider needs a break.
- As the national database records them
- Family child care home (one provider): up to 8 children.
- Group child care home (two or more providers): the rule reads (children to adults): “State has multiple categories for determining ratios and group size. Age ratios compiled are for same-age groups or groups with only infants and toddlers.” Largest group: 12 children.
Enforcement
How Maryland checks these rules
- Centers: Maryland 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 12.8% of the rules Maryland inspectors cited since October 2023, and 22% of the daycares visited had one cited.
What Maryland 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 Maryland
What is the infant ratio for daycare centers in Maryland?
1:3. One adult may care for up to 3 babies, and a room of babies may hold no more than 6.
What is the toddler ratio in Maryland?
1:3 at 18 months, with groups of up to 9, and 1:6 at 35 months, just before age 3, with groups of up to 12.
What is the ratio for 4-year-olds in Maryland daycares?
1:10, with up to 20 children in a group. The same applies to 3-year-olds.
How many children can a Maryland home daycare have?
Up to 8 in a family child care home, and 9 to 12 in a large family child care home.
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 12.8% of Maryland's cited rules.
Rules change. Before you rely on a number here, check Maryland'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.