Licensing rules · Montana
Daycare ratios in Montana
In a Montana daycare center, one adult may care for up to 4 babies, 6 children at 18 months, 8 at 35 months, or 10 children at ages 3, 4 and 5. Groups are capped from 12 babies up to 20 children at ages 3 to 5.
- Babies (6 weeks)
- 1:4
- Toddlers (18 months)
- 1:6
- 3-year-olds
- 1:10
- 4-year-olds
- 1:10
Daycare centers
Ratios and group sizes in Montana centers
The most children one adult may care for, and the largest group allowed in one room, at each age. From Montana'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 | 12 children |
| 11 months | 1:41 adult for 4 children | 12 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 | 1:101 adult for 10 children | 20 children |
| 5 years | 1:101 adult for 10 children | 20 children |
| 6 years | 1:201 adult for 20 children | 40 children |
| 7 years | 1:201 adult for 20 children | 40 children |
| 8 to 9 years | 1:201 adult for 20 children | 40 children |
| 10 years and older | 1:201 adult for 20 children | 40 children |
The national database reads each state's rule at these sample ages; Montana'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. At 1:4 for babies, a full infant group of 12 needs at least 3 caregivers. When ages are mixed in one room, Montana's rules use the ratio for the youngest child.
The ratio is a minimum. Rooms are most likely to run short at drop-off, nap time and pick-up, when staff are on breaks or leaving. On your tour, count the adults and children in the room yourself.
When a room mixes ages, Montana's rules set the ratio by the age of the youngest child.
Home daycares
Rules for home daycares in Montana
Montana home daycares have tighter limits when babies are in the group: a family home may care for up to 8 children, but fewer if they are all under 2. Group homes may care for up to 15 children, with at least one adult for every 8 and a cap on how many children under 2 each adult may have.
Home daycares are common in Montana. Ask how many children under 2 are in the group on a typical day and who helps when the provider is busy with one child.
- As the national database records them
- Family child care home (one provider): the rule reads: “8; 4 if all children are under 2 years old.”
- Group child care home (two or more providers): the rule reads (children to adults): “8:1, with no more than 3 children under 2 years old; 4:1, if all children are under 2 years old.” Largest group: 15 children.
Enforcement
How Montana checks these rules
- Centers: Montana reported routine inspections once a year.
- Family child care homes: routine inspections once a year.
- In the inspection records: rules on supervision and ratios were 14.7% of the rules Montana inspectors cited since October 2023, and 6% of the daycares visited had one cited.
What Montana 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 Montana
What is the infant ratio for daycare centers in Montana?
1:4. One adult may care for up to 4 babies, and a group of babies may hold no more than 12.
What is the toddler ratio in Montana?
1:6 at 18 months and 1:8 at 35 months, just before age 3, with groups of up to 12 and 16 children.
What is the ratio for 4-year-olds in Montana daycares?
1:10, the same as for 3- and 5-year-olds, with up to 20 children in a group.
How many children can a Montana home daycare have?
A family home daycare may care for up to 8 children, or 4 if all are under 2. A group home daycare may care for up to 15.
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 rules were 14.7% of the rules Montana inspectors cited since October 2023.
Rules change. Before you rely on a number here, check Montana'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.