Ohio Daycare Ratios and Group Sizes
By Jayesh Parayali, Founder, CareCam · 15+ years building daycare camera systems
The staff-to-child ratios Ohio requires in licensed child care centers, by the state's own age bands, from Ohio Adm. Code 5180:2-12-18 and Appendix A. Below the table, a calculator tells you how many staff the children in your building need right now.
Educational reference, not legal advice. Family and group child care homes follow different ratios. Confirm with the Ohio Department of Children and Youth.
Ohio center ratios by age
| Age group | Ages | Staff : children | Max group size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Young infants | birth to less than 12 months | 1:5 | 12 |
| Older infants | at least 12 months and less than 18 months | 1:6 | 12 |
| Young toddlers | at least 18 months and less than 2 1/2 years | 1:7 | 14 |
| Older toddlers | at least 2 1/2 years and less than 3 years | 1:8 | 16 |
| Young preschoolers | at least 3 years and less than 4 years | 1:12 | 24 |
| Older preschoolers | at least 4 years and not enrolled in or eligible to be enrolled in kindergarten | 1:14 | 28 |
| Young schoolagers | enrolled in or eligible to be enrolled in kindergarten or above and less than 11 years | 1:18 | 36 |
| Older schoolagers | at least 11 years and less than 15 years | 1:20 | 40 |
- •Young infants may also be cared for at 2 staff to 12 infants when both staff members are in the same room.
- •When age groups are combined, the ratio for the youngest child in the group applies, and all age groups may be combined when there are twelve or fewer children in the center.
- •Ohio Rev. Code 5104.033 lets a center double the toddler and preschool ratio in a room where children are napping for up to two hours a day, if at least one staff member stays in the room and enough staff are on the premises to meet the normal ratios.
- •Group size limits (but not ratios) do not apply during nap time, meals and snacks, outdoor play, field trips, routine trips, or special occasions.
How many staff do I need right now?
Enter the children in the building right now, by age group. The numbers update as you type and nothing is sent anywhere.
| Age group | Ratio | Children | Staff needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Young infantsbirth to less than 12 months | 1:5max group 12 | ||
| Older infantsat least 12 months and less than 18 months | 1:6max group 12 | ||
| Young toddlersat least 18 months and less than 2 1/2 years | 1:7max group 14 | ||
| Older toddlersat least 2 1/2 years and less than 3 years | 1:8max group 16 | ||
| Young preschoolersat least 3 years and less than 4 years | 1:12max group 24 | ||
| Older preschoolersat least 4 years and not enrolled in or eligible to be enrolled in kindergarten | 1:14max group 28 | ||
| Young schoolagersenrolled in or eligible to be enrolled in kindergarten or above and less than 11 years | 1:18max group 36 | ||
| Older schoolagersat least 11 years and less than 15 years | 1:20max group 40 | ||
| Total | |||
Counts each age group as its own room. For a mixed-age room, Ohio like most states applies the ratio of the youngest child present to the whole group. Ratios apply the whole day, including naps, transitions and the first and last hour. Confirm against the rule linked above before you schedule.
Inspections in Ohio
Ohio law requires the Department of Children and Youth to inspect each licensed child care center at least once during every twelve-month period of operation, and inspections may be unannounced. The department must also investigate complaints and must inspect when a complaint alleges a child was harmed or put at substantial risk of harm. Source. The licensing agency is the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. Inspection reports are public: look up a center's reports.
The Ohio inspection checklist is the walk-through a licensor does, written as things to check before they arrive, with your ratios and agency filled in.
Proving the room was in ratio
When a parent or licensor asks what the toddler room looked like at 4:45 on Tuesday, your own cameras answer. CareCam runs on the cameras a center already has and adds a live, video-only view for parents of their own child's room, during the hours you set. No audio, so Ohio's one-party consent rule never comes into it.
Related for Ohio: daycare camera laws. Other states: daycare ratios by state.
Ohio daycare ratio FAQ
What is the daycare ratio in Ohio?
What is the infant ratio for daycare centers in Ohio?
What is the toddler ratio in Ohio?
How many 3-year-olds can one teacher have in Ohio?
Does Ohio set maximum group sizes?
How often are daycare centers inspected in Ohio?
Can cameras count toward the ratio in Ohio?
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