Licensing rules · South Dakota
Daycare ratios in South Dakota
In a South Dakota daycare center, one adult may care for up to 5 children from 6 weeks to 35 months, 10 children at ages 3 to 5 and 15 school-age children. A group may hold up to 20 children at any age.
- Babies (6 weeks)
- 1:5
- Toddlers (18 months)
- 1:5
- 3-year-olds
- 1:10
- 4-year-olds
- 1:10
Daycare centers
Ratios and group sizes in South Dakota centers
The most children one adult may care for, and the largest group allowed in one room, at each age. From South Dakota'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 | 20 children |
| 11 months | 1:51 adult for 5 children | 20 children |
| 18 months | 1:51 adult for 5 children | 20 children |
| 35 months | 1:51 adult for 5 children | 20 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 | 1:151 adult for 15 children | 20 children |
| 7 years | 1:151 adult for 15 children | 20 children |
| 8 to 9 years | 1:151 adult for 15 children | 20 children |
| 10 years and older | 1:151 adult for 15 children | 20 children |
The national database reads each state's rule at these sample ages; South Dakota'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. South Dakota uses the same 1:5 ratio for babies and toddlers, so a full group of 20 children under 3 needs at least 4 caregivers.
The ratio is a minimum, not a staffing plan. A room can slip below it at drop-off, nap breaks or the end of the day, so count the adults and children yourself on a tour and ask how many babies one adult cares for.
South Dakota's rules cover mixed-age groups; ask the daycare which ratio it follows when ages mix.
Home daycares
Rules for home daycares in South Dakota
The national database of state licensing rules lists no licensing rules on ratios for family or group home daycares in South Dakota. That does not tell you how a given home is run.
Before you choose a home daycare, ask whether it is licensed or registered with the state, which rules it follows, how many children it cares for and how many of them are babies.
- As the national database records them
- Family child care home (one provider): no licensing rules listed for this setting in South Dakota.
- Group child care home (two or more providers): no licensing rules listed for this setting in South Dakota.
Enforcement
How South Dakota checks these rules
- Centers: South Dakota reported routine inspections once a year, without notice.
- In the inspection records: rules on supervision and ratios were 1.2% of the rules South Dakota inspectors cited since October 2023, and 8% of the daycares visited had one cited.
What South Dakota 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 South Dakota
What is the infant ratio for daycare centers in South Dakota?
1:5. One adult may care for up to 5 babies, and a group may hold no more than 20.
What is the toddler ratio in South Dakota?
1:5 at both 18 months and 35 months, the same as for babies, with groups of up to 20.
What is the ratio for 4-year-olds in South Dakota daycares?
1:10, with up to 20 children in a group. The same ratio applies at ages 3 and 5.
How many children can a South Dakota home daycare have?
The national database of state licensing rules lists no limit for South Dakota home daycares. Ask the provider how many children it cares for and which state rules it follows.
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 cited at 8% of South Dakota daycares visited since October 2023.
Rules change. Before you rely on a number here, check South Dakota'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.