Licensing rules · Utah
Daycare ratios in Utah
In a Utah daycare center, one adult may care for up to 4 babies, 5 children at 18 months, 12 three-year-olds or 15 four-year-olds. Each group has a size limit too, from 8 babies up to 30 children at age 4.
- Babies (6 weeks)
- 1:4
- Toddlers (18 months)
- 1:5
- 3-year-olds
- 1:12
- 4-year-olds
- 1:15
Daycare centers
Ratios and group sizes in Utah centers
The most children one adult may care for, and the largest group allowed in one room, at each age. From Utah'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 | 1:81 adult for 8 children | 16 children |
| 3 years | 1:121 adult for 12 children | 24 children |
| 4 years | 1:151 adult for 15 children | 30 children |
| 5 years | 1:201 adult for 20 children | 40 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; Utah'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 full infant group of 8 needs 2 caregivers, and at 1:5 at 18 months, a group of 10 also needs 2.
Think of the ratio as a minimum. It is hardest to keep at opening and closing time and during staff breaks. On your tour, count the adults and children in the room yourself, and ask how the center covers breaks and sick days.
Utah's rules cover mixed-age groups; ask the daycare which ratio it follows when ages mix.
Home daycares
Rules for home daycares in Utah
A Utah home daycare may care for up to 8 children with one provider. That provider is watching every age at once, so ask how many babies and toddlers are in the group and who covers when the provider is ill.
A larger licensed home may care for up to 16 children, with a second provider once there are more than 8. Ask how many adults are there at each time of day, not only when you visit.
- As the national database records them
- Family child care home (one provider): up to 8 children.
- Group child care home (two or more providers): the rule reads (children to adults): “The licensee shall maintain a provider to child ratio of one provider for up to eight children in care, and two providers for nine to sixteen children in care.” Largest group: 16 children.
Enforcement
How Utah checks these rules
- Centers: Utah reported routine inspections twice a year, without notice.
- Family child care homes: routine inspections twice a year, without notice.
- In the inspection records: rules on supervision and ratios were 11.5% of the rules Utah inspectors cited since October 2023, and 9% of the daycares visited had one cited.
What Utah 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 345 Utah daycare websites we read post a staff-to-child ratio
- 3.8%
- 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 Utah
What is the infant ratio for daycare centers in Utah?
1:4. One adult may care for up to 4 babies, and an infant group may hold no more than 8.
What is the toddler ratio in Utah?
1:5 at 18 months and 1:8 at 35 months, just before age 3, with groups of up to 10 and 16 children.
What is the ratio for 4-year-olds in Utah daycares?
1:15, with up to 30 children in a group. At 3 years it is 1:12, with up to 24 in a group.
How many children can a Utah home daycare have?
One provider may care for up to 8 children. A larger licensed home may have up to 16 with two providers.
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 11.5% of the rules Utah inspectors cited since October 2023.
Rules change. Before you rely on a number here, check Utah'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.