Texas daycare ratios and group sizes
In a Texas child care center, one caregiver may look after at most 4 infants under 12 months, 9 toddlers aged 18 to 23 months, 11 two-year-olds or 15 three-year-olds. Here is the state’s full chart, and how often Texas centers break it.
The Texas ratio and group-size chart
| Age of children in the group | Children per caregiver | Maximum group size |
|---|---|---|
| 0–11 months | 4 | 10 |
| 12–17 months | 5 | 13 |
| 18–23 months | 9 | 18 |
| 2 years | 11 | 22 |
| 3 years | 15 | 30 |
| 4 years | 18 | 35 |
| 5 years | 22 | 35 |
| 6–8 years | 26 | 35 |
| 9–13 years | 26 | 35 |
For centers licensed to care for 13 or more children. Group size is the most children allowed in one group, and the number two or more caregivers may supervise. Source: 26 Texas Administrative Code §746.1601 and §746.1609, Minimum Standards for Child-Care Centers (revised December 2025). Texas weights both rules Medium-High.
How often Texas centers break ratio rules
Since October 2021, Texas inspectors have cited the basic ratio rule (§746.1601) 1,504 times at 1,040 licensed centers, making it the 6th most-cited rule in Texas. The group-size rule (§746.1609) was cited 153 times. Counting every ratio and group-size rule, there were 2,506 citations at 1,507 centers, 16% of the 9,598 licensed centers in Texas.
Other ratio rules cited most often cover mixed-age groups, nap time and opening and closing hours:
| Rule | What it covers | Citations |
|---|---|---|
| §746.1605(1) | Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age | 401 |
| §746.1605 | Child/Caregiver Ratio - 18 Months Difference in Age | 144 |
| §746.1613(a) | Reduction of child/caregiver naptime ratio by 50% allowed, If 13 or more children in care, children are 18 mo. or older and other standards met | 108 |
| §746.1613(a)(4) | Naptime Child/Caregiver Ratio - Additional Employee Required | 54 |
| §746.1613(a)(6) | Naptime Child/Caregiver Ratio - Caregivers Physically Present | 42 |
Every center page on Daycare Record groups these under “Staff ratios.” Counts from Texas HHS inspection data.
Why ratios matter
Fewer children per adult means each child gets more attention and supervision. It is also the main reason infant care costs more: a room of 4 babies needs as many caregivers as a room of 15 three-year-olds. See what daycare costs in Texas.
Common questions
What is the infant-to-caregiver ratio in Texas daycares?
One caregiver may supervise at most 4 infants aged 0 to 11 months, and an infant group may have no more than 10 babies with two or more caregivers (26 TAC §746.1601 and §746.1609).
What is the ratio for 2-year-olds in Texas?
One caregiver for every 11 two-year-olds, with a maximum group size of 22.
What is the ratio for 3- and 4-year-olds in Texas?
One caregiver for up to 15 three-year-olds (group of 30 at most) or 18 four-year-olds (group of 35 at most).
How do I know if a daycare follows the ratios?
Count the children and adults in the room when you visit, ask how many caregivers your child’s room has at opening, nap time and closing, and check the center’s page on Daycare Record for “Staff ratios” citations. Since October 2021, Texas inspectors have cited the basic ratio rule 1,504 times at 1,040 centers.