Licensing rules · South Carolina
Daycare ratios in South Carolina
In a South Carolina daycare center, one adult may care for up to 5 babies, 6 children at 18 months, 12 three-year-olds or 17 four-year-olds. The state's rules set no limit on group size in a center.
- Babies (6 weeks)
- 1:5
- Toddlers (18 months)
- 1:6
- 3-year-olds
- 1:12
- 4-year-olds
- 1:17
Daycare centers
Ratios and group sizes in South Carolina centers
The most children one adult may care for, and the largest group allowed in one room, at each age. From South Carolina's licensing rules as compiled in the 2025 national database.
| Child's age | Adults to children | Largest group |
|---|---|---|
| 6 weeks | 1:51 adult for 5 children | No limit in the rules |
| 11 months | 1:51 adult for 5 children | No limit in the rules |
| 18 months | 1:61 adult for 6 children | No limit in the rules |
| 35 months | 1:81 adult for 8 children | No limit in the rules |
| 3 years | 1:121 adult for 12 children | No limit in the rules |
| 4 years | 1:171 adult for 17 children | No limit in the rules |
| 5 years | 1:201 adult for 20 children | No limit in the rules |
| 6 years | 1:231 adult for 23 children | No limit in the rules |
| 7 years | 1:231 adult for 23 children | No limit in the rules |
| 8 to 9 years | 1:231 adult for 23 children | No limit in the rules |
| 10 years and older | 1:231 adult for 23 children | No limit in the rules |
The national database reads each state's rule at these sample ages; South Carolina's own rules give the exact age bands.
In the room
What the ratio means for your child
At 1:5 for babies, a room with 10 infants needs at least 2 caregivers, and at 1:6 for 18-month-olds, 12 toddlers need 2. With no group size limit, rooms can be larger, as long as the adult count keeps pace.
The ratio is a minimum, and South Carolina inspectors check it: since October 2023, the ratio rule was cited at 483 of the daycares they visited. On a tour, count the adults and children yourself, and look at the daycare's inspection record.
South Carolina's rules cover mixed-age groups; ask the daycare which ratio it follows when ages mix.
Home daycares
Rules for home daycares in South Carolina
A family home daycare in South Carolina may care for up to 6 children with one provider. A group home daycare may care for up to 12 children, with one adult for every 8 and no more than 3 children younger than 2.
Ask a home provider how many babies are enrolled, whether a second adult is ever there, and who covers when the provider is ill.
- As the national database records them
- Family child care home (one provider): up to 6 children.
- Group child care home (two or more providers): 8 children to 1 adult , with no more than 3 children younger than 2 years. Largest group: 12 children.
Enforcement
How South Carolina checks these rules
- Centers: South Carolina 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 26% of the rules South Carolina inspectors cited since October 2023, and 35% of the daycares visited had one cited.
What South Carolina 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
- of the 589 South Carolina daycare websites we read post a staff-to-child ratio
- 2%
- 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 South Carolina
What is the infant ratio for South Carolina daycare centers?
1:5. One adult may care for up to 5 babies; the rules set no limit on how many babies share one room.
What is the toddler ratio in South Carolina?
1:6 at 18 months and 1:8 at 35 months, just before age 3.
What is the ratio for 4-year-olds in South Carolina daycares?
1:17. For 3-year-olds it is 1:12, and at age 5 it is 1:20.
How many children can a South Carolina home daycare have?
Up to 6 children in a family home daycare with one provider, and up to 12 in a group home daycare, with no more than 3 under age 2.
How do I check whether a daycare keeps to the ratio?
Count adults and children on your tour and read the inspection record: supervision and ratio rules were 26% of the rules South Carolina inspectors cited since October 2023.
Rules change. Before you rely on a number here, check South Carolina'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. Website figure: daycare websites read in 2026.