Licensing rules · Vermont
Daycare ratios in Vermont
In a Vermont daycare center, one adult may care for up to 4 children from 6 weeks to 18 months, 5 at 35 months, 6 three-year-olds or 10 four-year-olds. Groups run from 8 babies to 20 four-year-olds.
- Babies (6 weeks)
- 1:4
- Toddlers (18 months)
- 1:4
- 3-year-olds
- 1:6
- 4-year-olds
- 1:10
Daycare centers
Ratios and group sizes in Vermont centers
The most children one adult may care for, and the largest group allowed in one room, at each age. From Vermont'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 | 1:41 adult for 4 children | 10 children |
| 35 months | 1:51 adult for 5 children | 10 children |
| 3 years | 1:61 adult for 6 children | 15 children |
| 4 years | 1:101 adult for 10 children | 20 children |
| 5 years | 1:101 adult for 10 children | 20 children |
| 6 years | 1:131 adult for 13 children | 26 children |
| 7 years | 1:131 adult for 13 children | 26 children |
| 8 to 9 years | 1:131 adult for 13 children | 26 children |
| 10 years and older | 1:131 adult for 13 children | 26 children |
The national database reads each state's rule at these sample ages; Vermont'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 at least 2 caregivers; at 3 years, 1:6 means a full group of 15 needs 3.
The ratio is a minimum. Rooms can run short at drop-off, nap breaks and pick-up, so count the adults and children yourself on a tour and ask how the daycare covers breaks and sick days.
When a room mixes ages, Vermont's rules set the ratio by the age of the youngest child.
Home daycares
Rules for home daycares in Vermont
A Vermont family home daycare with one provider may care for a small group, plus a few school-age children, shown below. The national database of state licensing rules lists no separate rules for group home daycares in Vermont.
If a home has more than one caregiver, ask 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): up to 6 children (plus 4 school-age children).
- Group child care home (two or more providers): no licensing rules listed for this setting in Vermont.
Enforcement
How Vermont checks these rules
- Centers: Vermont reported routine inspections once every two years, without notice.
- Family child care homes: routine inspections once every two years, without notice.
- In the inspection records: rules on supervision and ratios were 5.8% of the rules Vermont inspectors cited since October 2023, and 12% of the daycares visited had one cited.
What Vermont 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 Vermont
What is the infant ratio for daycare centers in Vermont?
1:4. One adult may care for up to 4 babies, with no more than 8 in a group.
What is the toddler ratio in Vermont?
1:4 at 18 months and 1:5 at 35 months, with groups of up to 10 children.
What is the ratio for 4-year-olds in Vermont daycares?
1:10, with up to 20 children in a group. At 3 years it is 1:6 with groups of up to 15.
How many children can a Vermont home daycare have?
A family home with one provider may care for up to 6 children, plus up to 4 school-age children.
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 5.8% of the rules Vermont cited since October 2023.
Rules change. Before you rely on a number here, check Vermont'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.