Licensing rules · Maine
Daycare ratios in Maine
In a Maine daycare center, one adult may care for up to 4 babies, 5 children at 18 or 35 months, or 10 three- and four-year-olds. Groups are capped from 8 babies up to 20 children at ages 3 and 4.
- Babies (6 weeks)
- 1:4
- Toddlers (18 months)
- 1:5
- 3-year-olds
- 1:10
- 4-year-olds
- 1:10
Daycare centers
Ratios and group sizes in Maine centers
The most children one adult may care for, and the largest group allowed in one room, at each age. From Maine'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 | 1:51 adult for 5 children | 10 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 | 1:131 adult for 13 children | No limit in the rules |
| 6 years | 1:131 adult for 13 children | No limit in the rules |
| 7 years | 1:131 adult for 13 children | No limit in the rules |
| 8 to 9 years | 1:131 adult for 13 children | No limit in the rules |
| 10 years and older | 1:131 adult for 13 children | No limit in the rules |
The national database reads each state's rule at these sample ages; Maine'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 1:4, a room of 8 babies, the largest infant group Maine allows, needs at least 2 caregivers. When ages are mixed in one room, Maine's rules use the ratio for the youngest child.
The ratio is a minimum to check, not a promise of more. Early mornings, nap time and late afternoons are when rooms most often run short. Count the adults and children yourself on your tour.
When a room mixes ages, Maine's rules set the ratio by the age of the youngest child.
Home daycares
Rules for home daycares in Maine
In a Maine family home daycare, the number of children one provider may care for depends on their ages: fewer when the group has babies, more when all the children are older. The national database lists no rules for a separate group home category in Maine.
Ask a home daycare how many children of each age it cares for on a typical day, whether a second adult helps, and who covers when the provider needs a break.
- As the national database records them
- Family child care home (one provider): the rule reads: “One provider may care for: 4 children when all are 6 weeks to 2 years old, or 8 children when all are 2 to 5 years old, or 12 children when all are over 5 years old Mixed ages: One provider may care for: 3 children under 2 years old and 3 children 2 to 5 years old and 2 children over 5 years old, or 8 children 2 to 5 years old and 2 children over 5 years old.”
- Group child care home (two or more providers): no licensing rules listed for this setting in Maine.
Enforcement
How Maine checks these rules
- Centers: Maine reported routine inspections once a year, without notice.
- Family child care homes: routine inspections once a year, without notice.
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 Maine
What is the infant ratio for daycare centers in Maine?
1:4. One adult may care for up to 4 babies, and a group of babies may hold no more than 8.
What is the toddler ratio in Maine?
1:5 at both 18 months and 35 months, just before age 3, with groups of up to 10 children.
What is the ratio for 4-year-olds in Maine daycares?
1:10, with up to 20 children in a group.
How many children can a Maine home daycare have?
It depends on ages. One provider may care for 4 children when all are under 2, or 8 when all are 2 to 5, and up to 12 when all are older than 5.
How do I check whether a daycare keeps to the ratio?
Count the adults and children in your child's room on the tour, and ask how the daycare staffs the room at opening, nap time and closing.
Rules change. Before you rely on a number here, check Maine'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.