Missouri Code of State Regulations › Title 5 - DEPARTMENT OF ELEMENTARY AND SECONDARY EDUCATION › Division 25 - Office of Childhood › Chapter 500 - Licensing Rules for Group Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers › Section 5 CSR 25-500.112 - Staff/Child Ratios

Current through Register Vol. 49, No. 14, July 15, 2024
PURPOSE: This amendment puts ratio and group size
				  limitations in a table format to make the rule easier to read and understand,
				  adds group size limitations for children three (3) years of age and older, and
				  clarifies when staff/child ratios and group sizes apply throughout the
				  day.
(1) Staff/child ratios
				shall be maintained at all times.
(A) The
				staff/child ratio and group size shall be followed as outlined in the chart
				below unless it meets an exception in subsections (1)(B)-(G) below.
Ages of Children in
							 Group
Description for the Purpose of this
							 Rule
Minimum Staff/ Child
							 Ratio
Maximum Group Size
Infants, toddlers, and 2-year-olds
Birth to 36 months
1:4
8
2-year-olds
Groups composed solely of children 24 to 36
							 months
1:8
16
3 through 4-year-olds
Groups composed solely of children 3 to 4 years
							 old
1:10
20
5-year-olds and up
Groups composed solely of children 5 years or
							 older
1:16
32
Mixed ages (Type 1) 2-year-olds and older, with a
							 maximum of four (4) 2-year-olds
A mixed group of children consisting of no more than
							 4 children ages 24 to 36 months, and at least one child older than 36
							 months
1:10
20
Mixed ages (Type 2) 2-year-olds and older, with more
							 than four (4) 2-year-olds
A mixed group of children consisting of more than 4
							 children ages 24 to 36 months, and at least one child older than 36
							 months
1:8
16
(B)
				For group child care homes licensed for a maximum of four (4) infants/toddlers
				or for child care centers licensed for a maximum of twenty (20) children,
				including no more than four (4) infants/toddlers, multiple groups may occupy
				the same physical space.
(C) During
				naptime, groups composed of children two (2) years old and older shall not be
				required to maintain staff/ child ratio within the napping area, but shall not
				exceed group size limitations. The required staff/child ratio shall be
				maintained on the premises during naptime.
(D) Groups composed of children two (2) years
				old and older shall not be required to maintain group sizes during-
1. Outdoor play;
2. Indoor gross motor activities in a
				gymnasium or multi-purpose room;
3.
				Meals;
4. Field trips; and
5. Special events including but not
				limited to guest speakers, assemblies, and celebrations.
(E) Group size requirements shall not apply
				when children are transported to or from the facility.
(F) For programs licensed exclusively for
				school-age children, multiple groups may occupy the same physical
				space.
(G) During outdoor play,
				staff/child ratios may be one and one-half (1 1/2) times the indoor staff/child
				ratios if children two (2) years of age or younger are not present in the
				outdoor play space. The required indoor staff/child ratios shall be maintained
				on the premises at all times.