Vermont Daycare Ratios: Staff-to-Child Ratios and Group Sizes by Age
Vermont daycare ratios run from 1:4 in infant rooms (birth to 18 months, maximum group of 8) to 1:13 for first grade and up (group of 26), set in the Licensing Regulations for Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs and administered by the Department for Children and Families' Child Development Division.
Toddler groups run 1:4 or 1:5 and preschool groups 1:6 or 1:10.
Mixed-age groups follow the youngest child, nap time carries its own supervision rule, and family child care homes follow separate capacity limits.
Verify before you rely on this
At a glance
The Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF), Child Development Division (CDD), under the Licensing Regulations for Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs.
1:4 from birth to 18 months, with a maximum group of 8.
1:4 from 18 to 30 months (group of 10); 1:5 from 24 to 36 months (group of 10).
1:6 from 32 to 42 months (group of 15); the 1:10 band starts at 36 months (group of 20).
1:10 from 36 months to kindergarten, with a maximum group of 20.
1:13 for first grade and up, with a maximum group of 26.
Maximum groups run from 8 in infant rooms to 26 in school-age groups.
Vermont center ratios and group sizes by age
| Age group | Staff-to-child ratio | Maximum group size |
|---|---|---|
| Birth–18 months | 1:4 | 8 |
| 18–30 months | 1:4 | 10 |
| 24–36 months | 1:5 | 10 |
| 32–42 months | 1:6 | 15 |
| 36 months–kindergarten | 1:10 | 20 |
| 1st grade and up | 1:13 | 26 |
Age bands are as printed in the CBCCPP ratio chart (CBCCPP 6.2.1.3); the bands overlap between toddler and preschool ages, and a mixed-age group follows the rules for the youngest child in it.
What are the daycare ratios in Vermont?
There is no single federal daycare ratio: federal CCDF rules set no numeric ratios, and each state describes its ratios and group-size limits by age in its CCDF Plan.
Vermont's numbers sit in the Licensing Regulations for Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs (CBCCPP), administered by the Department for Children and Families' Child Development Division.
The rules took effect April 17, 2022 and were amended by a CDD memo effective October 1, 2024.
The center chart (CBCCPP 6.2.1.3) runs 1:4 from birth to 18 months, 1:4 from 18 to 30 months, 1:5 from 24 to 36 months, 1:6 from 32 to 42 months, 1:10 from 36 months to kindergarten, and 1:13 for first grade and up.
The bands overlap between toddler and preschool ages, so the table below prints them as the rule does.
“36 months – Kindergarten 20 1:10”
Maximum group sizes by age
Each age band in Vermont's center chart sets both a staff-to-child ratio and a maximum group size.
The caps run from 8 children from birth to 18 months to 26 in first grade and up: 10 from 18 to 30 months, 10 from 24 to 36 months, 15 from 32 to 42 months, and 20 from 36 months to kindergarten.
The toddler bands show how the two numbers move separately: 18 to 30 months keeps the 1:4 ratio with a group of 10, while 24 to 36 months loosens the ratio to 1:5 with the same cap of 10.
Mixed-age and nap-time rules in Vermont
A mixed-age group is held to the ratio and maximum group size for the youngest child in it, so one infant in a room of three-year-olds pulls the room to the 1:4 infant ratio and the group-of-8 cap.
Nap time has its own rule for older children: when children 24 months and older are napping, at least one staff member supervises each group of sleeping children, with the other required staff within direct hearing distance.
Our research did not confirm a separate nap-time staffing rule for children under 24 months; the Child Development Division's current rulebook governs infant nap supervision.
“the staff/child ratios and maximum group size meet requirements for the age of the youngest child in any group.”
Who can count in ratio
Only qualified staff who meet Vermont's professional development rules, are physically present and are working with children count toward the ratio.
Classroom aides do not count in staff/child ratios while they are performing classroom-aide responsibilities, and partner staff do not either; children of staff count when they are present.
Qualification sits on top of headcount: each group must be led by someone qualified at least as a teacher associate for at least 75% of operating hours, and someone qualified at least as a teacher assistant must be present whenever children are.
“Classroom aides shall not be counted in staff/child ratios when they are performing the job responsibilities of a classroom aide.”
Home daycare capacity in Vermont
Family child care runs on a separate set of regulations, so a home does not use the center ratio chart.
Anyone caring for children from more than two families besides their own must be registered or licensed with DCF/CDD.
Vermont has two home tiers: a registered family child care home cares for up to 10 children year-round, or 12 under the summer-vacation option, and a licensed family child care home cares for up to 12, with staffing charts allowing up to 6 children under 24 months with three staff.
In a registered home the provider must be present and counted in ratio at least 60% of operating hours, and the provider's own children under 24 months count toward the under-24-month limit.
“At no time shall the total number of children in care exceed ten (10) during Option one (1): Year Round Care or twelve (12) children for Option two (2): Summer Vacation.”
Staffing example for a typical center
The chart converts directly into caregivers per room.
An infant room at its maximum group of 8, birth to 18 months, runs on two qualified caregivers at 1:4.
A preschool group of 20 children from 36 months to kindergarten needs two staff at 1:10, and a school-age group of 26 in first grade and up needs two at 1:13.
At nap time the preschool room runs with one staff member supervising the sleeping group and the second within direct hearing distance.
Two layers sit on top of the count: each group is led by someone at least teacher-associate-qualified for 75% of operating hours, and classroom aides do not fill a ratio slot while they are performing classroom-aide responsibilities.
This is an illustration of how the ratios work, not a staffing plan for any particular center; confirm a room against the CBCCPP chart with DCF/CDD.
Are Vermont's ratio rules changing?
The chart above comes from the CBCCPP rules effective April 17, 2022, as amended by a CDD memo effective October 1, 2024 to meet federal CCDF rules.
A full rule rewrite was in draft as of late 2025, and CDD's proposed-rules page listed no final proposed rules when checked.
Rule changes can move a ratio or a group cap, so confirm the current chart with the Child Development Division before you build a staffing plan or accept a room assignment.
What This Page Does, and Doesn’t, Cover
This page summarizes the Vermont licensing rules, agency pages and other sources listed below, as read for this state-by-state staff-to-child ratios series, current as of October 2026. It is not a substitute for the instructions the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF), Child Development Division (CDD) publishes. For the rest of the picture in Vermont, see daycare teacher requirements in Vermont and daycare licensing steps in Vermont.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the infant ratio in Vermont daycares?
One staff member for every four children, 1:4, from birth to 18 months in a licensed Vermont center, with a maximum group of 8.
A full infant room therefore runs on two qualified caregivers.
Only staff who meet the professional development rules, are physically present and are working with the children count toward the ratio; classroom aides do not.
What is the toddler ratio in Vermont?
Vermont's toddler bands overlap: 1:4 from 18 to 30 months with a maximum group of 10, and 1:5 from 24 to 36 months, also with a group of 10.
A child between 24 and 30 months fits both bands, and a mixed-age group follows the ratio for the youngest child present.
Do classroom aides count in the Vermont staff-to-child ratio?
No. The CBCCPP rules say classroom aides shall not be counted in staff/child ratios when performing the job responsibilities of a classroom aide, and partner staff do not count either.
Children of staff count when they are present.
Counting staff must meet the professional development rules, be physically present and be working with the children.
How many children can a home daycare have in Vermont?
A registered family child care home cares for up to 10 children year-round, or 12 under the summer-vacation option.
A licensed family child care home cares for up to 12, with staffing charts allowing up to 6 children under 24 months with three staff.
Caring for children from more than two families besides your own requires registration or licensure with DCF/CDD.
What ratio applies once children reach preschool, kindergarten and school in Vermont?
Children from 32 to 42 months fall in a 1:6 band with a maximum group of 15, and the 1:10 band with a group of 20 starts at 36 months and runs to kindergarten.
From first grade up, the ratio is 1:13 with a maximum group of 26.
In any mixed-age group, the ratio and group size follow the youngest child present.
More Vermont Resources
Sources
- Vermont DCF/CDD — Licensing Regulations for Center Based Child Care and Preschool Programs (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- Vermont CDD Memorandum — CBCCPP Rule Changes (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- Vermont family child care licensing regulations (Vermont DCF Child Development Division) (retrieved 2026-10-05)
- 45 CFR 98.41, CCDF plan requirements (eCFR) (retrieved 2026-10-05)
Sourced from the documents listed above. Verified October 2026. This is career and employer information, not licensing or legal advice. Confirm current rules with the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF), Child Development Division (CDD).