Licensing rules · Wyoming
Daycare ratios in Wyoming
In a Wyoming daycare center, one adult may care for up to 4 babies, 5 children at 18 months, 10 three-year-olds or 12 four-year-olds. Groups run from 10 babies up to 30 four-year-olds.
- Babies (6 weeks)
- 1:4
- Toddlers (18 months)
- 1:5
- 3-year-olds
- 1:10
- 4-year-olds
- 1:12
Daycare centers
Ratios and group sizes in Wyoming centers
The most children one adult may care for, and the largest group allowed in one room, at each age. From Wyoming'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 | 1:51 adult for 5 children | 12 children |
| 35 months | 1:81 adult for 8 children | 18 children |
| 3 years | 1:101 adult for 10 children | 24 children |
| 4 years | 1:121 adult for 12 children | 30 children |
| 5 years | 1:121 adult for 12 children | 30 children |
| 6 years | 1:181 adult for 18 children | 40 children |
| 7 years | 1:181 adult for 18 children | 40 children |
| 8 to 9 years | 1:181 adult for 18 children | 40 children |
| 10 years and older | 1:181 adult for 18 children | 40 children |
The national database reads each state's rule at these sample ages; Wyoming'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 10 needs at least 3 caregivers. At 35 months the ratio is 1:8, so a group of 18 also needs 3.
The ratio is a minimum. A room 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 staffs the start and end of the day.
When a room mixes ages, Wyoming's rules set the ratio by a ratio written for mixed-age groups.
Home daycares
Rules for home daycares in Wyoming
Wyoming home daycares have their own limits, shown below. A family home with one provider may care for up to 10 children, a large number for one adult, so it matters how many are babies. A group home with two staff caps the number of children under 3 by age band.
Ask a home provider how many babies and toddlers are in the group, when a second adult is there and who covers when the provider is out.
- As the national database records them
- Family child care home (one provider): up to 10 children.
- Group child care home (two or more providers): the rule reads (children to adults): “When two (2) staff persons are present and caring for a mixed age group there shall be no more than four (4) children under the age of 12 months, no more than four (4), one (1) year to 24 months, and no more than four (4), two (2) years to 36 months, with a maximum group size of 15 children.” Largest group: 15 children.
Enforcement
How Wyoming checks these rules
- Centers: Wyoming reported routine inspections twice a year, without notice.
- Family child care homes: routine inspections twice 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
- 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 Wyoming
What is the infant ratio for daycare centers in Wyoming?
1:4. One adult may care for up to 4 babies, with no more than 10 in a group.
What is the toddler ratio in Wyoming?
1:5 at 18 months, with groups of up to 12, and 1:8 at 35 months, with groups of up to 18.
What is the ratio for 4-year-olds in Wyoming daycares?
1:12, with up to 30 children in a group. At 3 years it is 1:10 with groups of up to 24.
How many children can a Wyoming home daycare have?
A family home with one provider may care for up to 10 children. A group home with two staff may have up to 15, with limits on how many are under 3.
How do I check whether a daycare keeps to the ratio?
Count the adults and children in the room on your tour, at more than one time of day if you can, and ask how many babies each adult cares for.
Rules change. Before you rely on a number here, check Wyoming'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.