Childcare staff-to-child ratio & capacity calculator
Pick your state and age group, enter who is in the room today, and see instantly whether your staffing is in compliance and how many more children you can take.
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Compliance check
California ยท InfantsYour staffing meets the 8 children-or-fewer capacity for this rule. You can take up to 8 children in this room.
California - California Title 22. Ratio 1:4, max group size 12.
1:4 up to 12 infants per licensed capacity.
Source: Community Care Licensing, Title 22, Division 12. Ratios shown are the standard center-based caps; your license type, age mix, and approved capacity can change them.
How it works
A quick guide to the math behind the numbers, so you can trust what the calculator tells you.
Required staff rounds up
Divide your children by the children-per-staff ratio and round up. Six infants at a 1:4 ratio need 2 staff, because 1.5 rounds up to 2.
Capacity is capped by both
Your room can hold the smaller of two numbers: what the ratio allows with your current staff, and the rule's max group size (if it has one).
Compliance is simple
You are in compliance when your children are within that capacity and you have at least the required staff. Change any number and it recalculates instantly.
Important: this is not legal advice
Regulations vary by license type, classroom configuration, age mix, exceptions, and local updates. The ratios and group sizes shown are representative reference data and may not match your specific situation. Always verify current rules with your state licensing authority before relying on any result.