Utah Admin. Code 381-100-10

Current through Bulletin 2024-23, December 1, 2024

Section R381-100-10 - Ratios and Group Size

(1) As listed in Table 1 for single-age groups of children, the provider shall:

(a) maintain at least the number of caregivers and not exceed the number of children in the caregiver-to-child ratio; and

(b) not exceed the maximum group sizes.

TABLE 1
Age Group	Caregiver-to-Child ratio	Maximum Group Size
0-11 Months - Infant	1:4	8
12-17 Months -- Younger Toddler	1:4	8
18-23 Months -- Older Toddler	1:5	10
2 Years - Twos	1:7	14
3 Years - Threes	1:12	24
4 Years - Fours	1:15	30
5 Years and older -- School-age	1:20	40

(2) For any mixed-age groups of children, the provider shall:

(a) maintain at least the number of required caregivers;

(b) not exceed the number of children in the caregiver-to-child ratio;

(c) not exceed the maximum group sizes; and

(d) separate any single-age group that reaches their maximum group size from the mix.

(3) For mixed-age groups of children including infants and toddlers, the provider shall ensure that:

(a) infants are only mixed with toddlers, unless:

(i) the group has eight or fewer children;

(ii) there are no more than three children younger than two years old in the group with one caregiver; and

(iii) there are at least two caregivers with the group if more than two children who are younger than 18 months old are present and the group has more than four children;

(b) if older toddlers and two-year-old children are mixed, there is at least one caregiver for up to seven children and at least two caregivers for eight and up to 14 children in the group; and

(c) older toddlers and older children are only mixed, besides when only mixed with two-year-old children, when:

(i) the group has eight or fewer children;

(ii) there are no more than three older toddlers in the group; and

(iii) there are at least two caregivers with the group if more than three younger toddlers are present and the group has more than five children.

(4) For mixed-age groups of children not including infants and toddlers, the provider shall ensure that:

(a) the caregiver-to-child ratio is determined by the age of the oldest child present in the group minus one child of that age group; and

(b) the maximum group size is determined by the age of the oldest child present in the group, minus two children of that same age group.

(5) During nap time, the provider shall ensure that the caregiver-to-child ratio is doubled only if:

(a) the children in the group are at least 18 months old;

(b) the children in the group are in a restful and nonactive state; and

(c) the caregiver supervising the napping children can contact another on-site caregiver without leaving the children unattended.

(6) The provider shall ensure that there are at least two caregivers present when there is only one group of children on the premises and that group has more than eight children, or more than two infants or toddlers.

(7) The provider shall include the provider's and employees' children age four years old or older in care:

(a) in the group size when the parent of the child is working at the facility; and

(b) in the group size and the caregiver-to-child ratio when the parent of the child is not working at the facility.

(8) The provider may include caregivers, student interns who are registered in a high school or college child care course, and volunteers who are 16 or 17 years old in the caregiver-to-child ratio.

(9) The provider shall ensure that guests do not count in caregiver-to-child ratios.

(10) The department may exempt a center from maximum group sizes if:

(a) the center has been constructed, licensed, and continuously operated since January 1, 2004;

(b) the caregiver-to-child ratio is maintained; and

(c) the required square footage for each group of children is maintained.

Utah Admin. Code R381-100-10

Adopted by Utah State Bulletin Number 2015-10, effective 5/1/2015

Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2016-8, effective 3/30/2016

Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2018-1, effective 12/28/2017

Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2018-16, effective 8/10/2018

Adopted by Utah State Bulletin Number 2020-17, effective 9/1/2020

Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2022-12, effective 6/1/2022

Amended by Utah State Bulletin Number 2023-22, effective 11/9/2023