Licensing rules · Washington
Daycare ratios in Washington
In a Washington daycare center, one adult may care for up to 4 babies, 7 children at 18 months, or 10 children at ages 3 and 4. Rooms are small for the youngest: no more than 8 babies or 14 toddlers at 18 months, and up to 20 children at ages 3 and 4.
- Babies (6 weeks)
- 1:4
- Toddlers (18 months)
- 1:7
- 3-year-olds
- 1:10
- 4-year-olds
- 1:10
Daycare centers
Ratios and group sizes in Washington centers
The most children one adult may care for, and the largest group allowed in one room, at each age. From Washington'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 | 1:71 adult for 7 children | 14 children |
| 35 months | 1:101 adult for 10 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 | 1:151 adult for 15 children | 30 children |
| 6 years | 1:151 adult for 15 children | 30 children |
| 7 years | 1:151 adult for 15 children | 30 children |
| 8 to 9 years | 1:151 adult for 15 children | 30 children |
| 10 years and older | 1:151 adult for 15 children | 30 children |
The national database reads each state's rule at these sample ages; Washington'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 watch at the same time. In Washington a baby room holds up to 8 infants, and at 1:4 a full room needs 2 caregivers. A toddler group at 18 months can hold 14, which at 1:7 also needs 2 adults.
The ratio is the least a center must do, and some staff above it. It is easiest to slip at drop-off, pick-up and during staff lunches. On a tour, count the adults and the children in the room, and ask how many teachers are with your child's group at the start and end of the day.
When a room mixes ages, Washington's rules set the ratio by the age of the youngest child.
Home daycares
Rules for home daycares in Washington
A licensed family home child care in Washington may care for up to 12 children. With that many children possible, ask whether other adults help in the home and when they are there. The national database lists no separate licensing rules in Washington for group homes with two or more caregivers.
Ask too how many of the children are babies or toddlers, and how the provider arranges naps and outdoor time with mixed ages.
- As the national database records them
- Family child care home (one provider): up to 12 children.
- Group child care home (two or more providers): no licensing rules listed for this setting in Washington.
Enforcement
How Washington checks these rules
- Centers: Washington reported routine inspections once a year, without notice.
- Family child care homes: routine inspections once a year, without notice.
Inspection schedules are from a 2017 national survey of state licensing agencies.
On the tour
Ask about ratios on a tour
- of the 699 Washington daycare websites we read post a staff-to-child ratio
- 5.4%
- 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 Washington
What is the infant ratio for daycare centers in Washington?
1:4. One adult may care for up to 4 babies, and a room of babies may hold no more than 8.
What is the toddler ratio in Washington?
1:7 at 18 months, with groups of up to 14, and 1:10 at 35 months, just before age 3, with groups of up to 20.
What is the ratio for 4-year-olds in Washington daycares?
1:10, with up to 20 children in a group. The ratio is the same for 3-year-olds.
How many children can a Washington home daycare have?
A licensed family home child care may care for up to 12 children. Ask how many adults are there during the day and how many of the children are under 18 months.
How do I check whether a daycare keeps to the ratio?
Count the adults and children in the room on your tour, ideally during a busy part of the day. Only 5.4% of the Washington daycare websites we read post their ratios, so ask the director.
Rules change. Before you rely on a number here, check Washington'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.