Licensing rules · Texas
Daycare ratios in Texas
In a Texas daycare center, one adult may care for up to 4 babies, 9 children at 18 months, 15 three-year-olds or 18 four-year-olds. Each room also has a size limit, from 10 babies up to 35 children at age 4 and older.
- Babies (6 weeks)
- 1:4
- Toddlers (18 months)
- 1:9
- 3-year-olds
- 1:15
- 4-year-olds
- 1:18
Daycare centers
Ratios and group sizes in Texas centers
The most children one adult may care for, and the largest group allowed in one room, at each age. From Texas'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 | 10 children |
| 11 months | 1:41 adult for 4 children | 10 children |
| 18 months | 1:91 adult for 9 children | 18 children |
| 35 months | 1:111 adult for 11 children | 22 children |
| 3 years | 1:151 adult for 15 children | 30 children |
| 4 years | 1:181 adult for 18 children | 35 children |
| 5 years | 1:221 adult for 22 children | 35 children |
| 6 years | 1:261 adult for 26 children | 35 children |
| 7 years | 1:261 adult for 26 children | 35 children |
| 8 to 9 years | 1:261 adult for 26 children | 35 children |
| 10 years and older | 1:261 adult for 26 children | 35 children |
The national database reads each state's rule at these sample ages; Texas'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 for babies, a room of 10 infants, the most Texas allows in one group, needs at least 3 caregivers in it.
The ratio is a minimum. Some centers staff above it and others run right at it, and early mornings and late afternoons, when fewer staff are in, are the times it is easiest to slip. On your tour, count the adults and children in the room yourself.
Texas's rules cover mixed-age groups; ask the daycare which ratio it follows when ages mix.
Home daycares
Rules for home daycares in Texas
Texas home daycares have their own limits. In a family home daycare, one caregiver may care for up to 6 children, plus up to 6 school-age children. A group home with two or more caregivers may have up to 12 children, and one caregiver alone may care for that many only when none is younger than 18 months.
Because a home daycare mixes ages, ask how many babies and toddlers are in the group and who covers when the provider needs a break.
- As the national database records them
- Family child care home (one provider): up to 6 children (plus 6 school-age children).
- Group child care home (two or more providers): the rule reads (children to adults): “One caregiver may care for up to 12 children if no children are younger than 18 months of age.” Largest group: 12 children.
Enforcement
How Texas checks these rules
- Centers: Texas 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 9.8% of the rules Texas inspectors cited since October 2023, and 26% of the daycares visited had one cited.
What Texas 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 5,446 Texas daycare websites we read post a staff-to-child ratio
- 2.1%
- 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 Texas
What is the infant ratio for daycare centers in Texas?
1:4. One adult may care for up to 4 babies, and a room of babies may hold no more than 10.
What is the toddler ratio in Texas?
1:9 at 18 months and 1:11 at 35 months, just before age 3, with groups of up to 18 and 22 children.
What is the ratio for 4-year-olds in Texas daycares?
1:18, with up to 35 children in a group.
How many children can a Texas home daycare have?
One caregiver in a family home daycare may care for up to 6 children, plus up to 6 school-age children.
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 9.8% of the rules Texas inspectors cited since October 2023.
Rules change. Before you rely on a number here, check Texas'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.