Informational use only — not legal advice. This page reflects CenterWorth's review of Louisiana Department of Education, Early Childhood Division regulations as of 2026-08-06. Regulations change. Always confirm current requirements directly with Louisiana Department of Education, Early Childhood Division before making staffing, licensing, or business decisions.
State-mandated minimum staffing ratios for licensed childcare centers in Louisiana, organized by age group with maximum group sizes and official regulatory citations.
State-specific notes:
| Age Group | Min. Staff Ratio | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants — under age one | 1:5 | 15 |
| Age one | 1:7 | 21 |
| Age two | 1:10 | 20 |
| Age three | 1:13 | 26 |
| Age four | 1:15 | 30 |
| Age five | 1:19 | 38 |
| Age six and older | 1:23 | 46 |
"Min. Staff Ratio" means 1 staff member per N children. Both the ratio and group size limits must be satisfied simultaneously where both apply.
In addition to the standard age-group ratios, Louisiana regulations specify modified or additional staffing requirements for specific situations. These apply only under the conditions described.
Sufficient staff to satisfy the otherwise applicable child-to-staff ratios must be on the premises and available to assist.
Children age one and older may be grouped together at rest time with one staff member in each room supervising the resting children.
Citation: LAC 28:CLXI §1711(F)
One staff member may supervise resting children in two rooms while sufficient ratio staffing remains on the premises and available to assist.
The rooms must share a common doorway. If sight is obstructed, staff must circulate and check children by sight.
Citation: LAC 28:CLXI §1713(J); LAC 28:CLXI §1711(F)
In addition to all required §1711 ratios, at least two staff members must always be present.
For care after 9 p.m. and before 5 a.m., an employee on duty must be staff-in-charge and every staff member counted in ratio must be awake.
Citation: LAC 28:CLXI §1905(A)-(B)(3)
Conditional rules apply only in the specific circumstances described. Verify applicability to your facility type and program with Louisiana Department of Education, Early Childhood Division.
Louisiana's staffing ratios determine the minimum number of staff members you must have on the floor at any time — which directly sets your labor cost floor. Since payroll typically represents 50–65% of a childcare center's total operating expenses, the ratio requirement for your primary age group is one of the most important numbers in your business model.
For example, if you operate an infant room in Louisiana at 1:5and enroll 12 infants, you need at least 3 staff members on the floor at all times. If you expand to 16 infants, your required staff count increases accordingly — and your payroll jumps before you see any additional tuition revenue.
CenterWorth's staffing cost calculator lets you model your Louisiana center's exact staffing requirement by age group, enrollment level, and hours of operation — so you can see payroll as a percentage of revenue before you commit to a lease or license.
CenterWorth's Louisiana data was compiled from the following official sources. Always verify current rules at the primary source before making operational or legal decisions.
Louisiana Department of Education — Child Care Facility Licensing
Official Early Learning Center licensing page; identifies Bulletin 137
Louisiana Administrative Code Index
Title 28:CLXI, Bulletin 137 — February 2026
Title 28, Part CLXI — Bulletin 137: Louisiana Early Learning Center Licensing Regulations
§303, §307, §1711, §1713, §1903, §1905
Louisiana Department of Education — Early Childhood Provider Updates, February 2026
Bulletin 137 revisions; January 20, 2026 effective-date implementation notice
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The stored Louisiana Early Learning Center record lists a 1:5 ratio for infants under age one, with a maximum group size of 15, under LAC 28:CLXI §1711(D), (L).
The stored table uses annual age bands from infancy through age six and older, progressing from 1:5 for infants to 1:23 for children age six and older.
The record allows one staff member to supervise resting children in two rooms sharing a common doorway under specified visibility conditions, while sufficient ratio staffing remains on the premises and available.
For care after 9 p.m. and before 5 a.m., the stored rule requires at least two staff members in addition to the applicable ratios, a designated staff-in-charge, and awake staff counted in ratio.
Enter your center's capacity, enrollment, and tuition to get a complete financial model — including payroll, break-even enrollment, and operating margin — for your Louisiana center.
About this data
This page reflects CenterWorth's review of official Louisiana Department of Education, Early Childhood Division regulations. CenterWorth compiles data exclusively from primary government and regulatory sources — never from secondary aggregators or advocacy estimates. Data is captured as of the date shown and may not reflect subsequent regulatory amendments. This page is for informational and planning purposes only and does not constitute legal advice.