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Child Care Centers Licensing Standards in the United States from 1981 to 2023

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Title: Child Care Centers Licensing Standards in the United States from 1981 to 2023
Language: English
Authors: Clara Puni-Nyamesem (ORCID 0009-0002-7124-0290), Amie A. Perry (ORCID 0009-0000-4661-7960), Julia T. Atiles (ORCID 0000-0001-6893-1942)
Source: Early Childhood Education Journal. 2025 53(1):99-108.
Availability: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 10
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Descriptors: Child Care Centers, Certification, Standards, Teacher Student Ratio, Compliance (Legal), Educational Legislation, Child Caregivers, Child Safety, Class Size, Educational Quality
DOI: 10.1007/s10643-023-01569-6
ISSN: 1082-3301
1573-1707
Abstract: Over the past thirty years, there have been notable changes in child care ratios and group sizes. Child care ratios refer to the number of children one caregiver is responsible for, while group size refers to the total number of children in a classroom at an early care and education setting. The current analysis examines the current licensing requirements in every state and the District of Columbia and compares those requirements to the numbers from 1981 and 1995. Furthermore, the manuscript examines the progress made by different states regarding states' compliance with NAEYC's recommended child-to-staff ratio and maximum group size. In the 1990s, child care ratios were less regulated, resulting in higher group sizes and fewer caregivers per child. However, research on child development and safety concerns led to increased regulations and lower childcare ratios. As a result, group sizes have decreased, and there are now more caregivers per child in early care and education settings. These changes have been beneficial for children, as they allow for more individual attention and care. Additionally, they have led to safer environments for children and reduced the risk of accidents and injuries. Despite these improvements, there is still room for further progress in ensuring high-quality childcare for all children, especially in the remaining states that continue to allow high ratios and large group sizes.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1457997
Database: ERIC
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  Value: <anid>AN0182323815;5mx01jan.25;2025Jan22.01:56;v2.2.500</anid> <title id="AN0182323815-1">Child Care Centers Licensing Standards in the United States from 1981 to 2023 </title> <p>Over the past thirty years, there have been notable changes in child care ratios and group sizes. Child care ratios refer to the number of children one caregiver is responsible for, while group size refers to the total number of children in a classroom at an early care and education setting. The current analysis examines the current licensing requirements in every state and the District of Columbia and compares those requirements to the numbers from 1981 and 1995. Furthermore, the manuscript examines the progress made by different states regarding states' compliance with NAEYC's recommended child-to-staff ratio and maximum group size. In the 1990s, child care ratios were less regulated, resulting in higher group sizes and fewer caregivers per child. However, research on child development and safety concerns led to increased regulations and lower childcare ratios. As a result, group sizes have decreased, and there are now more caregivers per child in early care and education settings. These changes have been beneficial for children, as they allow for more individual attention and care. Additionally, they have led to safer environments for children and reduced the risk of accidents and injuries. Despite these improvements, there is still room for further progress in ensuring high-quality childcare for all children, especially in the remaining states that continue to allow high ratios and large group sizes.</p> <p>Keywords: Licensing standards; Quality ratings; Early care and education; Child-to-staff ratio; Group size</p> <p>Copyright comment Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.</p> <p>Early childhood education (ECE) has become increasingly important in modern society. Many families are opting for half-day or full-day out-of-home care for their children, often out of necessity rather than choice (Winterbottom & Jones, [<reflink idref="bib26" id="ref1">26</reflink>]). According to Laughlin ([<reflink idref="bib8" id="ref2">8</reflink>]), the majority of children under 5 years of age in the United States were enrolled in some form of regular childcare arrangement. In total, 12.5 million children, or 61% of the total population of 20.4 million, were enrolled in regular childcare facilities, with the remaining 39% in non-regular arrangements. Thus, 61% of the children are enrolled in family daycare, child care centers, Head Start programs, nurseries, preschools, and childcare providers' homes. This suggests that early care and education arrangements are an important consideration for a significant proportion of families with young children in the United States.</p> <p>Early care and education programs are essential and significant, so it is necessary to take their quality into account. Studies have shown a correlation between high-quality early education and favorable long-term outcomes for children, including increased educational aspirations, better lifestyles, more rewarding careers, a decrease in crime, and a higher return on investment that is estimated to be $8.60 for every $1 invested (National Association for the Education of Young Children [NAEYC], [<reflink idref="bib14" id="ref3">14</reflink>].; U.S. Department of Education, [<reflink idref="bib24" id="ref4">24</reflink>]). The term <emph>childcare programs</emph> are used by the states, whiles NAEYC uses <emph>early learning programs</emph>. There are also <emph>early care and education programs.</emph> All three of these terms are synonyms, and this paper will use them as such.</p> <p>Previously published manuscripts have examined the licensing standards in group size and child-to-staff ratio in the United States and the District of Columbia. These reviews, one published in 1981 by Collins ([<reflink idref="bib3" id="ref5">3</reflink>]) and a follow-up review by Snow et al. ([<reflink idref="bib22" id="ref6">22</reflink>]), have tracked the history of child-to-staff ratio and maximum group sizes with notable findings. The current paper seeks to examine the current licensing requirements in every state and the District of Columbia and compares those requirements to the numbers from 1981 (Collins, [<reflink idref="bib3" id="ref7">3</reflink>]), and 1995 (Snow et al., [<reflink idref="bib22" id="ref8">22</reflink>]). To determine the current regulations, we looked up the child care licensing standards for each state, which are available online (Child Care Technical Assistance Network, [<reflink idref="bib2" id="ref9">2</reflink>]). We then analyzed each state's current licensing regulations document for child care centers and recorded the information from the document into tables that allowed us to compare the current regulations to those in previous years. This analysis took us one month to complete, and the authors checked each other's findings to confirm the data. Once we completed the tables, we compared each year's licensing regulations to our current findings. We also compared the ratios and group sizes of those states to the guidelines put forth by NAEYC to determine how many of those states were following those standards.</p> <hd id="AN0182323815-2">Early Care and Education Programs' Licensing Standards and Accreditation</hd> <p>Early care and education programs are required to meet certain standards. These minimum standards vary by state, therefore, a program licensed in one state may not meet the minimum requirements in another (Vanover, [<reflink idref="bib25" id="ref10">25</reflink>]). To obtain a license to operate, states have varying requirements, but typically they consider factors such as the child-to-staff ratio, the maximum group size, teacher education and training, health and safety procedures, required paperwork for staff and students (e.g., physical exams, records of vaccinations, etc.), food preparation procedures, facility requirements including inspections, and lesson plans and curriculum requirements (Vanover, [<reflink idref="bib25" id="ref11">25</reflink>]). These criteria are meant to ensure the safety and well-being of the children and are used to determine whether an early care and education program should receive a license. After obtaining a state license, a program is subject to inspections from the licensing body before it opens, with follow-up evaluations throughout the years. The frequency of these visits depends on how well the program meets licensing requirements. If there are minimal violations, the frequency of the visit switches to an annual visit. However, if there are complaints from families or community members, unannounced visits may be conducted (Vanover, [<reflink idref="bib25" id="ref12">25</reflink>]).</p> <p>Although a state's license to operate an early care and education program grants permission for its operation, it does not guarantee that the program is of high quality. Accreditation is a quality assurance process for early care and education programs, typically offered by a separate organization from the licensing body. This may be a nonprofit organization like the NAEYC, or a state-run program administered by a separate department. For example, in Tennessee, the Department of Human Services conducts ratings of early care and education programs. This is known as the Child Care Star Rating System, which gives centers a certain number of stars based on the quality assessed and adherence to licensing requirements (Kidcentral TN, [<reflink idref="bib7" id="ref13">7</reflink>]). A similar program is in place in Texas, where early care and education programs can pursue the "Texas Rising Star certification," which is a quality rating and improvement system (Texas Workforce Commission, [<reflink idref="bib23" id="ref14">23</reflink>]).</p> <p>The NAEYC Accreditation of Early Learning Programs has been the gold standard for quality in the early childhood sector since the mid-1980s (GreatSchools, [<reflink idref="bib5" id="ref15">5</reflink>]). This system of accreditation gives early care and education programs a way to prove their dedication to high-quality early childhood education. Research has found that the process of attaining a unified knowledge and commitment to quality with the aid of NAEYC accreditation can result in increased staff morale, higher staff retention, and an overall more upbeat, lively work environment (NAEYC, [<reflink idref="bib14" id="ref16">14</reflink>]).</p> <p>When an early care and education program receives NAEYC accreditation, it signals to families that it meets higher quality standards. If the program fails to maintain these standards, the accreditation can be revoked by the organization (Vanover, [<reflink idref="bib25" id="ref17">25</reflink>]). Based on research, the NAEYC came up with ten standards that cover relationships, curriculum, teaching, assessment of child progress, health, staff competencies and support, families, community relationships, the physical environment, and leadership and management (NAEYC, [<reflink idref="bib12" id="ref18">12</reflink>]). These standards outline what the organization believes all early care and education programs should offer, a high-quality, research-based education that will prepare children for future success.</p> <p>This paper examines the progress made by different states regarding states' compliance with NAEYC's recommended child-to-staff ratio and maximum group size. The importance of child-to-staff ratio and group size in early childhood education cannot be overemphasized. Research has shown that smaller groups lead teachers to engage in more social interactions with children and spend less time observing them. This results in children showing more cooperation, verbal initiative, and reflective/innovative behavior while displaying less hostility and conflict, which could mean better outcomes for the children in the classrooms (de Schipper et al., [<reflink idref="bib4" id="ref19">4</reflink>]). Additionally, in classrooms with lower child-to-staff ratios, lead teachers devote less time to managing children's behavior and more time to engaging in meaningful interactions with them. It promotes better safety due to increased supervision, higher rates of individual attention, increased quality of care, and lower stress for teachers and children (Collins, [<reflink idref="bib3" id="ref20">3</reflink>]; Perlman et al., [<reflink idref="bib19" id="ref21">19</reflink>]). The professionals in the early childhood education field understand and advocate for low ratios and smaller group sizes in early care and education programs, however, there is still work to do.</p> <hd id="AN0182323815-3">Overview of Child-to-Staff Ratio and Group Size in the United States</hd> <p>The number of children that an early care and education staff member is responsible for monitoring is referred to as the child-to-staff ratio. The required ratio is determined by age, therefore, a ratio of 1:10 for a four-year-old requires one staff member to oversee no more than ten children at any given time. Group size, on the other hand, is the maximum number of children a staff member may care for in a certain location or environment. A preschool classroom with four-year-old children, for example, may have a capacity of 16 children. Ratio and group size are determined by each state.</p> <hd id="AN0182323815-4">Child-to-Staff Ratio and Group Size Requirements for Early Care and Education Programs by NAE...</hd> <p>Over the years, NAEYC has developed standard recommendations for child-to-staff ratios and group sizes for early care and education facilities. Based on NAEYC's ([<reflink idref="bib10" id="ref22">10</reflink>]) accreditation guidelines, the child-to-staff ratio recommended for infants was 4:1, while it was 5:1 for toddlers, with a maximum group size of eight for the infants and 10–12 for the toddlers. The same ratio is maintained for infants in 2023 (NAEYC, [<reflink idref="bib11" id="ref23">11</reflink>]), whereas teachers caring for toddlers increased from 5:1 to 6:1 with the same maximum group size of 8 for infants and 12 for toddlers in 2023. For children three and four years old, the child-to-staff ratio is 10:1, for both years in 1991 and 2023, with the same maximum group size of 20 in both years. We will analyze the data collected from state websites by comparing the ratios to the recommendations by NAEYC.</p> <hd id="AN0182323815-5">Findings</hd> <p></p> <hd id="AN0182323815-6">Child-to-Staff Ratio: Infants and Toddlers</hd> <p>The child-to-staff ratios and group sizes for the different age groups of infants and toddlers by state and the District of Columbia are included in Table 1. It should be noted that the data for 1981 and 1995 on the table were copied from the Snow, Teleki, and Reguero de Atiles (1996) article. There is no uniform definition for age groups among infants and toddlers in the United States. Typically, the age of entry into early care and education programs in the states is from birth to six weeks of age. The age at which an infant becomes a toddler varies considerably. NAEYC ([<reflink idref="bib11" id="ref24">11</reflink>]) defines the age of an infant as birth to 15 months of age. Their definition of a toddler is 12–36 months of age. Unless otherwise specified in the footnotes of the table, the age groups in our table follow the NAEYC definitions.</p> <p>Table 1 Child-to-staff ratios and group-size requirements for infants and toddlers by state</p> <p> <ephtml> <table frame="hsides" rules="groups"><thead><tr><th align="left" rowspan="3"><p>State</p></th><th align="left" colspan="6"><p>Child-to-Staff Ratios</p></th><th align="left" colspan="6"><p>Group Size</p></th></tr><tr><th align="left" colspan="2"><p>1981</p></th><th align="left" colspan="2"><p>1995</p></th><th align="left" colspan="2"><p>2023</p></th><th align="left" colspan="2"><p>1981</p></th><th align="left" colspan="2"><p>1995</p></th><th align="left" colspan="2"><p>2023</p></th></tr><tr><th align="left"><p>Infant</p></th><th align="left"><p>Toddler</p></th><th align="left"><p>Infant</p></th><th align="left"><p>Toddler</p></th><th align="left"><p>Infant</p><p>NAEYC Rec: 4:1</p></th><th align="left"><p>Toddler NAEYC Rec: 6:1</p></th><th align="left"><p>Infant</p></th><th align="left"><p>Toddler</p></th><th align="left"><p>Infant</p></th><th align="left"><p>Toddler</p></th><th align="left"><p>Infant NAEYC Rec of 8</p></th><th align="left"><p>Toddler</p><p>NAEYC Rec of 12</p></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="left"><p>Alabama</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8:1<sup>1</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>7:1<sup>1</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>6</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>6</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Alaska</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1<sup>2</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Arizona</p></td><td align="left"><p>8:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>11</p></td><td align="left"><p>13</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Arkansas</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>9:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8:1<sup>1</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>16</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>California</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Colorado</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Connecticut</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Delaware</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>7:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>D.C.</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>3:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>3:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>9</p></td><td align="left"><p>9</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Florida</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Georgia</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8:1<sup>1</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8:1<sup>1</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8:1<sup>4</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>16</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>16</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Hawaii</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>3:1–4:1<sup>5</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>3:1–4:1<sup>5</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>6–8<sup>3,6</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>6–8<sup>3,6</sup></p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Idaho</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1<sup>7</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>8:1<sup>7,8</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Illinois</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1<sup>9</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1<sup>9</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>15</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>15</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>15</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Indiana</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Iowa</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>7:1<sup>8</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Kansas</p></td><td align="left"><p>3:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>3:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>3:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>9</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>9</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>9</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Kentucky</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Louisiana</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>7:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>15</p></td><td align="left"><p>21</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Maine</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>15</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Maryland</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>3:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>3:1<sup>1</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>3:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>3:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>6</p></td><td align="left"><p>6</p></td><td align="left"><p>6</p></td><td align="left"><p>9</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Massachusetts</p></td><td align="left"><p>3:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>3:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1<sup>9</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>3:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1<sup>9</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>7</p></td><td align="left"><p>9</p></td><td align="left"><p>7</p></td><td align="left"><p>9</p></td><td align="left"><p>7</p></td><td align="left"><p>9</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Michigan</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Minnesota</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>7:1<sup>9</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>7:1<sup>3</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>7:1<sup>10</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>14</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Mississippi</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>9:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>9:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Missouri</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8:1<sup>8</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>16</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Montana</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8:1<sup>8</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>16</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Nebraska</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1<sup>1</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1<sup>1</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Nevada</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1<sup>11</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1<sup>3</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>New Hampshire</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>15</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>15</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>New Jersey</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>7:1<sup>1</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1<sup>1</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>New Mexico</p></td><td align="left"><p>7:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1<sup>8</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>New York</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1<sup>1</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1<sup>1</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>North Carolina</p></td><td align="left"><p>8:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>14</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>North Dakota</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1<sup>1</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>15</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Ohio</p></td><td align="left"><p>8:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1<sup>1</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1<sup>12</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1<sup>3</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>16</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Oklahoma</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1<sup>11</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>3:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1<sup>8</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>6</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Oregon</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1<sup>8</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Pennsylvania</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1<sup>3</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Rhode Island</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1<sup>1</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1<sup>1</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>South Carolina</p></td><td align="left"><p>8:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>South Dakota</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Tennessee</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8:1<sup>9</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1<sup>3</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1<sup>3</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>14</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Texas</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1<sup>3</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1<sup>3</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1<sup>3</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>35</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>14</p></td><td align="left"><p>14</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>13</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Utah</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1<sup>3</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Vermont</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1<sup>1</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Virginia</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1<sup>10</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1<sup>10</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>15</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Washington</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>7:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>7:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>7:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>14</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>14</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>14</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>West Virginia</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Wisconsin</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1<sup>8</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>6</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>8</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Wyoming</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>*</p></td><td align="left"><p>4:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1<sup>3</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td></tr></tbody></table> </ephtml> </p> <p>Note. NS = Not specified * = Only one age group specified (interpreted to mean that the child-to-staff ratios are the same for infants and toddlers) <sups>1</sups>Toddlerhood begins at 18 months <sups>2</sups>Toddlerhood begins at 19 months <sups>3</sups>State has older toddler grouping not specified in this table <sups>4</sups>Toddlerhood begins when walking <sups>5</sups>Ratio dependent on group size <sups>6</sups>Group size dependent on ratio <sups>7</sups>The state utilizes a point system. The ratio reflects the number of children one staff member could have if they were all the same age. <sups>8</sups>Toddlerhood begins at 24 months <sups>9</sups>Toddlerhood begins 15 months <sups>10</sups>Toddlerhood begins at 16 months <sups>11</sups>Toddlerhood begins at 10 months <sups>12</sups>Ratio increases to 6:1 if there are two teachers present with 12 infants</p> <p>Since 1995, the infant and toddler age groups have had few changes to their child-to-staff ratio requirements. In the infant age group, there are 35 states and the District of Columbia that follow the NAEYC ratio recommendation of 4:1 or better, with five states and the District of Columbia requiring a ratio of 3:1. This is a slight improvement to 1995 when 32 of the states and the District of Columbia were following the NAEYC ratio recommendation. In the toddler age group, there are 37 states and the District of Columbia that follow the recommendation from NAEYC of 6:1 or better, with some states requiring ratios as low as 3:1 for toddlers. In comparison to 1995, there has been quite an improvement in lowering toddler ratios. In 1995, only 27 states and the District of Columbia had ratios following the NAEYC recommendation for toddlers. Overall, the child-to-staff ratio for infants and toddlers has improved since 1995. This is especially true for toddlers. For infants, it has stayed about the same. While the majority of states are following the NAEYC recommendations for infants and toddlers, there is still work to be done to improve ratios in many states.</p> <hd id="AN0182323815-7">Group Size: Infants and Toddlers</hd> <p>In 1995, only 32 states and the District of Columbia specified a group size for infants and toddlers in early care and education programs. Since then, all but four states have specified a group size; however, the majority of states and the District of Columbia have done so. When looking at the infant age group, out of 46 states and the District of Columbia that have specified group sizes, 32 states and the District of Columbia are following the NAEYC recommendation of no more than 8 infants in a group. When looking at the toddler age group, out of the 46 states and the District of Columbia that have specified group sizes, 29 states and the District of Columbia are following the NAEYC recommendation of no more than 12 toddlers in a group. Overall, it has been an improvement that almost all states and the District of Columbia now specify a group size limit in early care and education programs. However, there are still states remaining that must work to lower their group sizes in classrooms to meet the NAEYC recommendation.</p> <hd id="AN0182323815-8">Child-to-Staff Ratio: Three- and Four-Year-Old Children</hd> <p>The child-to-staff ratio for three- and four-year-old children in the United States are included in Table 2. Like Table 1, the data for the years 1981 and 1995 were copied from the Snow, Teleki, and Reguero de Atiles (1996) article. Since 1995, many states have added child-to-staff ratio requirements for three-year-old children. Because of this change in states, we have added an additional age category to our table to include data from the three-year-old ratio in each state and the District of Columbia. The recommendation for the child-to-staff ratio from NAEYC is 10:1 for children ages 30 months-5 years.</p> <p>Table 2 Child-to-staff ratio and group size for 3–4 years old by state</p> <p> <ephtml> <table frame="hsides" rules="groups"><thead><tr><th align="left" rowspan="4"><p>State</p></th><th align="left" colspan="6"><p>Child Staff Ratios</p></th><th align="left" colspan="6"><p>Group Size</p></th></tr><tr><th align="left" colspan="2"><p>1981</p></th><th align="left" colspan="2"><p>1995</p></th><th align="left" colspan="2"><p>2023</p></th><th align="left" colspan="2"><p>1981</p></th><th align="left" colspan="2"><p>1995</p></th><th align="left" colspan="2"><p>2023</p></th></tr><tr><th align="left" rowspan="2"><p>3's</p><p>(36–47 months)</p></th><th align="left" rowspan="2"><p>4's</p><p>(48–59 months)</p></th><th align="left" rowspan="2"><p>3's</p><p>(36–47 months)</p></th><th align="left" rowspan="2"><p>4's</p><p>(48–59 months)</p></th><th align="left" colspan="2"><p>NAEYC recommends a 10:1 ratio for children 30 months-5 years.</p></th><th align="left" rowspan="2"><p>3's</p><p>(36–47 months)</p></th><th align="left" rowspan="2"><p>4's</p><p>(48–59 months)</p></th><th align="left" rowspan="2"><p>3's</p><p>(36–47 months)</p></th><th align="left" rowspan="2"><p>4's</p><p>(48–59 months)</p></th><th align="left" colspan="2"><p>NAEYC recommends a max group size of 20 for children 30 months-5 years.</p></th></tr><tr><th align="left"><p>3's</p><p>(36–47 months)</p></th><th align="left"><p>4's</p><p>(48–59 months)</p></th><th align="left"><p>3's</p><p>(36–47 months)</p></th><th align="left"><p>4's</p><p>(48–59 months)</p></th></tr></thead><tbody><tr><td align="left"><p>Alabama</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>11 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>11 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Alaska</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Arizona</p></td><td align="left"><p>20:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>13 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Arkansas</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td><td align="left"><p>30</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>California</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>16</p></td><td align="left"><p>16</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Colorado</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>15</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Connecticut</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Delaware</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>D.C.</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>16</p></td><td align="left"><p>16</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Florida</p></td><td align="left"><p>20:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Georgia</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>18 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>18 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>18:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>36</p></td><td align="left"><p>36</p></td><td align="left"><p>30</p></td><td align="left"><p>36</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Hawaii</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>16:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>16:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>16:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Idaho</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1<sup>1</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1<sup>1</sup></p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Illinois</p></td><td align="left"><p>20:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Indiana</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Iowa</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Kansas</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Kentucky</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>14 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>14 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>14 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>28</p></td><td align="left"><p>28</p></td><td align="left"><p>22</p></td><td align="left"><p>28</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Louisiana</p></td><td align="left"><p>16:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>16:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>16:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>16:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>13 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>26</p></td><td align="left"><p>30</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Maine</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>30</p></td><td align="left"><p>30</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Maryland</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Massachusetts</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Michigan</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>30</p></td><td align="left"><p>36</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Minnesota</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Mississippi</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>14 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>16:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>7 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>14</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Missouri</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>11 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>11 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Montana</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>11 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>11 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>15</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>16</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Nebraska</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Nevada</p></td><td align="left"><p>5 :1 to 93*</p></td><td align="left"><p>5:1 to 93*</p></td><td align="left"><p>6 :1 to 35*</p></td><td align="left"><p>6 :1 to 35*</p></td><td align="left"><p>6 :1 to 93*</p></td><td align="left"><p>6:1 to 93*</p></td><td align="left"><p>5–93**</p></td><td align="left"><p>5–93**</p></td><td align="left"><p>6–35**</p></td><td align="left"><p>6–35**</p></td><td align="left"><p>6–93**</p></td><td align="left"><p>6–93**</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>New Hampshire</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>New Jersey</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>New Mexico</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>New York</p></td><td align="left"><p>8 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>7 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>16</p></td><td align="left"><p>16</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>18</p></td><td align="left"><p>21</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>North Carolina</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>18</p></td><td align="left"><p>18</p></td><td align="left"><p>25</p></td><td align="left"><p>25</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>25</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>North Dakota</p></td><td align="left"><p>6 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>6 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>17</p></td><td align="left"><p>25</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Ohio</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>14 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>14 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>14 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>14 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>30</p></td><td align="left"><p>30</p></td><td align="left"><p>28</p></td><td align="left"><p>28</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td><td align="left"><p>28</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Oklahoma</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>30</p></td><td align="left"><p>30</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td><td align="left"><p>30</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Oregon</p></td><td align="left"><p>11 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>11 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td><td align="left"><p>10</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Pennsylvania</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Rhode Island</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>9:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>18</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>South Carolina</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>1:19</p></td><td align="left"><p>1:19</p></td><td align="left"><p>11 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>16:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>South Dakota</p></td><td align="left"><p>8 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>8 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Tennessee</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>9:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>13 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>18</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Texas</p></td><td align="left"><p>18 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>18 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>18 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>18 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>18 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>45</p></td><td align="left"><p>45</p></td><td align="left"><p>35</p></td><td align="left"><p>35</p></td><td align="left"><p>30</p></td><td align="left"><p>35</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Utah</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>25</p></td><td align="left"><p>25</p></td><td align="left"><p>25</p></td><td align="left"><p>25</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td><td align="left"><p>30</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Vermont</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>12</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Virginia</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>30</p></td><td align="left"><p>30</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Washington</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>11 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>West Virginia</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Wisconsin</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>13 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>13 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>13 :1</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td><td align="left"><p>24</p></td><td align="left"><p>20</p></td><td align="left"><p>26</p></td></tr><tr><td align="left"><p>Wyoming</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>15:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>10:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>12:1</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>NS</p></td><td align="left"><p>15</p></td><td align="left"><p>15</p></td></tr></tbody></table> </ephtml> </p> <p>Note: NS = Not specified * = Ratio varies according to number of staff present ** = Group size is linked to child-staff ratio requirements. <sups>1</sups> = The state utilizes a point system. The ratio reflects the number of children one staff member could have if they were all the same age</p> <p>There are currently 31 states and the District of Columbia that follow the NAEYC ratio recommendation of 10:1 or better for this age group. Colorado is following the lowest ratio of all states and the District of Columbia, which is 6:1 for children ages 30 months-5 years. In 1995, 18 states and the District of Columbia were following the NAEYC recommendation. While this does show an improvement, it is not much of one considering there are 25 states who do not follow the recommendation. There has been limited improvement in lowering ratios for preschool-aged children in the last thirty years.</p> <hd id="AN0182323815-9">Group Size: Three- & Four-Year Old Children</hd> <p>For this age group, there are still many states that have not specified group size regulations. In the three-year-old age group, 38 states and the District of Columbia have specified age groups. The District of Columbia and 26 of the states that have specified group sizes are following the NAEYC recommendation of a group size of 20. In the four-year-old age group, only 19 of the 39 states and the District of Columbia that have specified group sizes are following the NAEYC recommendation of a group size of 20. This is a minor improvement since 1995 when 13 states were following the NAEYC group size recommendation.</p> <hd id="AN0182323815-10">Limitations and Challenges of Implementing Staff-to-Child Ratio and Group Size Requirements</hd> <p>The cost of maintaining child-to-staff ratio and group size have been identified by scholars as a prominent factor of states' compliance with NAEYC recommendations. Powell and Cosgrove ([<reflink idref="bib20" id="ref25">20</reflink>]) found a significant association between the examination of quality indicators and their impact on costs. In the study, the coefficient associated with the child-to-staff ratio was statistically significant, meaning enhancing the quality of education by reducing the average child-to-staff ratio, such as transitioning from 11:1 to 10:1 ratios, would result in an approximate 4.5% rise in costs, making it difficult for some states to keep up with the recommended child-to-staff ratio.</p> <p>Additionally, teacher turnover, which refers to the rate at which teachers leave (Nguyen et al., [<reflink idref="bib15" id="ref26">15</reflink>]), and are replaced, and the search for qualified teachers also play a major role in compliance to NAEYC requirements. Currently, NAEYC requires early care and education programs to hire educators who have a minimum of an associate degree in any of the following desired fields: early childhood education, child development, elementary education, or early childhood special education. Teachers who have a higher education degree for a different major must show they have earned at least 36 college credits in one of the desired fields. Alternatively, an educator may show a state public school certification to practice as a teacher for children age birth to 8 years. A Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential that is appropriate for the age range of the children they are serving is the bare minimum needed for assistant teachers/teacher aides. The CDA's equivalent (12 college credits) in courses in one of the desired fields is also acceptable (NAEYC, [<reflink idref="bib13" id="ref27">13</reflink>]). These educational requirements come with a cost for the states and centers in maintaining or complying with the required ratio and group size.</p> <p>Powell and Cosgrove ([<reflink idref="bib20" id="ref28">20</reflink>]) reported that the process of replacing a teacher by searching for, hiring, and training comes with substantial costs for the early care and education program. The researchers reported that if 10% of the teaching staff leaves the center, it increases their expenditure by 6.8%. However, with disparities in preschool teachers' salaries, the turnover is high (American Public Health Association, [<reflink idref="bib1" id="ref29">1</reflink>]) and Morgan ([<reflink idref="bib9" id="ref30">9</reflink>]) highlighted that preschool teachers receive a median salary of $23,320, which is approximately half of the median pay received by kindergarten teachers. This development causes an imbalance in child-to-staff ratio affecting quality practices.</p> <p>However, the requirements put forth by states are more lenient than the requirements by NAEYC. In most states, the requirement to be a teacher in an early care and education program is having a high school diploma or GED. Once hired, teachers are required to complete a certain number of hours of training as they begin working, and then they continue to have professional learning requirements each year. Washington DC is an exception. By December 2, 2023, all teachers in licensed centers must hold an associate degree in early childhood education (or a closely related discipline), or an associate degree in any other subject area with a minimum of 24 semester hours in early childhood (Office of the State Superintendent of Education, [<reflink idref="bib17" id="ref31">17</reflink>]).</p> <p>In addition to Washington, DC, there have been some policy changes in the right direction. During the last decade, Head Start increased their teacher qualification requirements. By 2011, all Head Start lead teachers had to have at least an associate's degree in early childhood or a related field. By 2013, at least 50% of all Head Start teachers nationwide had to have a baccalaureate degree in early childhood education, child development, or related fields (Severns, [<reflink idref="bib21" id="ref32">21</reflink>]). Individual programs require that all Head Start teachers hold an associate's or bachelor's degree, or an equivalent, in early childhood education or child development. Head Start assistant teachers are required to have a CDA credential, a state-issued certificate that satisfies or exceeds the requirements for a CDA credential, be enrolled in a program that will result in an associate or baccalaureate degree, or be enrolled in a CDA credential program that must be completed within two years of the time of hire (Head Start Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center, [<reflink idref="bib6" id="ref33">6</reflink>]).</p> <p>Teacher education requirements are essential in early care and education program settings as they play a vital role in shaping the development and well-being of young children. These requirements ensure that teachers possess the knowledge and skills necessary to provide a high-quality educational experience for children. Through education in early childhood development, teachers gain a deeper understanding of how children learn and grow, enabling them to create age-appropriate activities and environments that support each child's unique needs. By upholding higher levels of education requirements for teachers, early care and education programs can ensure a professional workforce that fosters a nurturing, engaging, and stimulating environment for children's overall growth and success.</p> <hd id="AN0182323815-11">Quality Practices, Affordability and Accessibility</hd> <p>With our understanding of child-to-staff ratio and groups size as major indicators of quality standards in childhood education our expectation is that greater part of young children in the United States will have access to childhood education, but this is not the case. Morgan ([<reflink idref="bib9" id="ref34">9</reflink>]) posits that a significant number of children in the United States are not enrolled in preschool programs. Based on the researcher report of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), the enrollment rate of three- and four-year-old children in preschool is far lower than the average among the 38 member countries (Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, [<reflink idref="bib16" id="ref35">16</reflink>]).</p> <p>It is of interest to note that the U.S. Department of Education ([<reflink idref="bib24" id="ref36">24</reflink>]) reported that 60% of children from low-income families are not enrolled in preschool. One key concern is the limited access to quality preschool among low-income families, who often find private early education financially unaffordable. It has been observed that in certain regions, the cost of preschool for a four-year-old is higher than that of in-state college tuition. For instance, in Washington D.C. and Massachusetts, the average expenses for preschool range from $12,781 to $17,842, exceeding the respective in-state college tuition fees of $10,702 and $7,255 (Wolff-Mann, [<reflink idref="bib27" id="ref37">27</reflink>]). Consequently, even families with a middle-class income face significant challenges in enrolling their children in preschool.</p> <p>Although certain cities and states have made efforts to invest in early education, the pace of progress remains insufficient. Through this publication, we wish to encourage states and federal agencies to increase investment in childhood education. This is particularly important as evidence from <emph>"early learning challenge"</emph> shows a well resource child care program enhance quality practices (U.S. Department of Education, [<reflink idref="bib24" id="ref38">24</reflink>]). The <emph>early learning challenge</emph> is a federal funded program with the purpose of providing state-owned high-quality early learning programs and services. Among the many benefits are that underprivilege children from a cohort of 14 states accessed high quality child care programs. Notwithstanding this, States implementing the <emph>"early learning challenge"</emph> also revamped their workforce competencies framework guiding early childhood educators towards effective practices (U. S. Department of Education, [<reflink idref="bib24" id="ref39">24</reflink>]).</p> <hd id="AN0182323815-12">Future of Staff Ratio and Group Size Requirements in the United States</hd> <p>While it is notable that there have certainly been improvements in child-to-staff ratios and group sizes in the United States, there is still work to be done. It is critical that all children in the United States have access to high-quality early care and education, and a major first step in that process is having low child-to-staff ratios and group sizes. Research has shown that higher ratios lead to lower quality care and negative outcomes for children, including poor cognitive development, behavioral issues, and increased risk of injury (de Schipper et al., [<reflink idref="bib4" id="ref40">4</reflink>]; Perlman et al., [<reflink idref="bib19" id="ref41">19</reflink>]). By reducing ratios and increasing the number of caregivers per child, states can improve the quality of care provided to children, leading to positive outcomes in their physical, social, emotional, and cognitive development. Additionally, lower ratios can help reduce staff burnout and turnover, leading to more stable and consistent care for children (OECD, [<reflink idref="bib18" id="ref42">18</reflink>]). Overall, improving child-to-staff ratios is essential for ensuring that all children receive high-quality care and support during their formative years. We urge readers from the states with ratios and group sizes exceeding the NAEYC recommendations to contact their law makers and advocate to change this.</p> <hd id="AN0182323815-13">Declarations</hd> <p></p> <hd id="AN0182323815-14">Conflict of interest</hd> <p>We have no known conflict of interest to disclose.</p> <hd id="AN0182323815-15">Publisher's Note</hd> <p>Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.</p> <ref id="AN0182323815-16"> <title> References </title> <blist> <bibl id="bib1" idref="ref29" type="bt">1</bibl> <bibtext> American Public Health Association (2017, November 7). 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  Data: Child Care Centers Licensing Standards in the United States from 1981 to 2023
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  Data: English
– Name: Author
  Label: Authors
  Group: Au
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Clara+Puni-Nyamesem%22">Clara Puni-Nyamesem</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0009-0002-7124-0290">0009-0002-7124-0290</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Amie+A%2E+Perry%22">Amie A. Perry</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0009-0000-4661-7960">0009-0000-4661-7960</externalLink>)<br /><searchLink fieldCode="AR" term="%22Julia+T%2E+Atiles%22">Julia T. Atiles</searchLink> (ORCID <externalLink term="http://orcid.org/0000-0001-6893-1942">0000-0001-6893-1942</externalLink>)
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  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="SO" term="%22Early+Childhood+Education+Journal%22"><i>Early Childhood Education Journal</i></searchLink>. 2025 53(1):99-108.
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  Data: Springer. Available from: Springer Nature. One New York Plaza, Suite 4600, New York, NY 10004. Tel: 800-777-4643; Tel: 212-460-1500; Fax: 212-460-1700; e-mail: customerservice@springernature.com; Web site: https://link.springer.com/
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– Name: Pages
  Label: Page Count
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  Data: 10
– Name: DatePubCY
  Label: Publication Date
  Group: Date
  Data: 2025
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  Label: Document Type
  Group: TypDoc
  Data: Journal Articles<br />Reports - Research
– Name: Subject
  Label: Descriptors
  Group: Su
  Data: <searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Child+Care+Centers%22">Child Care Centers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Certification%22">Certification</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Standards%22">Standards</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Teacher+Student+Ratio%22">Teacher Student Ratio</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Compliance+%28Legal%29%22">Compliance (Legal)</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Legislation%22">Educational Legislation</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Child+Caregivers%22">Child Caregivers</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Child+Safety%22">Child Safety</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Class+Size%22">Class Size</searchLink><br /><searchLink fieldCode="DE" term="%22Educational+Quality%22">Educational Quality</searchLink>
– Name: DOI
  Label: DOI
  Group: ID
  Data: 10.1007/s10643-023-01569-6
– Name: ISSN
  Label: ISSN
  Group: ISSN
  Data: 1082-3301<br />1573-1707
– Name: Abstract
  Label: Abstract
  Group: Ab
  Data: Over the past thirty years, there have been notable changes in child care ratios and group sizes. Child care ratios refer to the number of children one caregiver is responsible for, while group size refers to the total number of children in a classroom at an early care and education setting. The current analysis examines the current licensing requirements in every state and the District of Columbia and compares those requirements to the numbers from 1981 and 1995. Furthermore, the manuscript examines the progress made by different states regarding states' compliance with NAEYC's recommended child-to-staff ratio and maximum group size. In the 1990s, child care ratios were less regulated, resulting in higher group sizes and fewer caregivers per child. However, research on child development and safety concerns led to increased regulations and lower childcare ratios. As a result, group sizes have decreased, and there are now more caregivers per child in early care and education settings. These changes have been beneficial for children, as they allow for more individual attention and care. Additionally, they have led to safer environments for children and reduced the risk of accidents and injuries. Despite these improvements, there is still room for further progress in ensuring high-quality childcare for all children, especially in the remaining states that continue to allow high ratios and large group sizes.
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  Data: 2025
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  Data: EJ1457997
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        Value: 10.1007/s10643-023-01569-6
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      – Text: English
    PhysicalDescription:
      Pagination:
        PageCount: 10
        StartPage: 99
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Child Care Centers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Certification
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Standards
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Teacher Student Ratio
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      – SubjectFull: Compliance (Legal)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Educational Legislation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Child Caregivers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Child Safety
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Class Size
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      – SubjectFull: Educational Quality
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      – TitleFull: Child Care Centers Licensing Standards in the United States from 1981 to 2023
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