Regulatory Data Update History

Notable regulatory facts

• California has separate license categories for Infant Care Centers, General Child Day Care Centers, and School-Age Child Care Centers, each with distinct ratio rules.
• A nap-time staffing rule under 22 CCR §101230(c) permits one qualified staff member to supervise up to 24 napping children, with remaining required staff remaining accessible and immediately summonable.
• The Optional Toddler Component (1:6 ratio for 18–30 months, maximum 12 children) requires specific CDSS approval and is not automatically available under a general license.

Notable regulatory facts

• Florida's current ratio rules carry an effective date of April 30, 2025, reflecting a regulatory update incorporated into the current Child Care Facility Handbook.
• Florida's nap-time rule (Child Care Facility Handbook §2.4.2) does not reduce the required ratio during rest periods; required staff must be accessible within the building on the same floor.
• Florida statutes do not specify mandatory maximum group sizes — verify group size limits for your specific license type with Florida DCF.

Notable regulatory facts

• Georgia's infant classification is developmental, not purely age-based: children under 18 months who are not yet walking are classified as infants (1:6 ratio), regardless of exact age.
• Georgia's current staffing rules carry an effective date of September 20, 2020.

Notable regulatory facts

• Illinois's preschool ratio (1:10 at ages 3–4) is stricter than many neighboring states, affecting preschool room staffing costs.
• Illinois does not require outdoor play space for all programs by default; verify current outdoor space rules with DCFS for your facility type.

Notable regulatory facts

• North Carolina's outdoor space requirement (75 sq ft per child) is in the typical range for southeastern states.
• North Carolina's star-rated license system (NCPEL) may require staffing or qualification enhancements beyond the licensing minimums shown.

Notable regulatory facts

• New York has one of the strictest ratio structures for preschool-age children in the U.S. — 1:7 at age 3 and 1:8 at age 4.
• New York City childcare centers are licensed by the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene under separate (often stricter) rules. CenterWorth's record covers the state OCFS framework.
• Care for children under 6 weeks of age requires specific OCFS approval not included in a standard day care center license.

Notable regulatory facts

• Ohio uses named developmental subcategories (Young Infants, Older Infants, Young Toddlers, Older Toddlers, Young Preschoolers, Older Preschoolers) with separate ratio requirements for each.
• The young-infant (birth to under 12 months) ratio was not extractable from Appendix A of the source document reviewed. Contact Ohio DCY directly for the current young-infant ratio requirement.
• Ohio reorganized its child care licensing agency; rules now fall under OAC Chapter 5180 following the creation of the Department of Children and Youth.

Notable regulatory facts

• Pennsylvania's 1:6 ratio for older toddlers (24–35 months) is more restrictive than many neighboring states, meaningfully affecting staffing costs for the two-year-old room.
• Pennsylvania uses named band categories with specific age boundaries — confirm current definitions with DHS for your specific program.

Notable regulatory facts

• Texas has nine separate age-band categories from birth through age 13 — one of the most granular ratio structures in the U.S.
• Texas Chapter 746 was amended in September 2024 to add water activity (swimming/wading) rules for child-care centers. CenterWorth's record reflects these September 2024 provisions.
• Texas has a conditional nap-time ratio rule (26 TAC §§746.1611, 746.1613): the ratio for napping groups may be modified under specific conditions described in those sections.

Notable regulatory facts

• Virginia childcare licensing transferred from the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) to the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE). Regulations now appear under 8VAC20-780.
• Virginia has specific rest-period staffing ratios under 8VAC20-780-350 I: a 1:10 ratio applies during designated rest for children 16 through 24 months; separate conditional ratios apply for older age groups during rest.