Required staff-to-child ratios in Texas
The minimum number of caregivers a licensed center must have per child, by the age of the youngest child in the group — from the Texas HHSC Minimum Standards for Child-Care Centers (Chapter 746). When you tour, count heads: ratio violations are among the most common standard-class violations in Texas records.
| Age of children | Caregiver : children | Max group size |
|---|---|---|
| 0 – 11 months | 1 : 4 | 10 |
| 12 – 17 months | 1 : 5 | 13 |
| 18 – 23 months | 1 : 9 | 18 |
| 2 years | 1 : 11 | 22 |
| 3 years | 1 : 15 | 30 |
| 4 years | 1 : 18 | 35 |
| 5 years | 1 : 22 | 35 |
Source: Texas Administrative Code, Title 26, Chapter 746, Subchapter K. Official minimum standards Ratios differ for mixed-age groups and family homes — the official rules control. More states are added as their records are published.