In Massachusetts centers, it’s 1 educator for every 3 infants (groups of up to 7), 1 for every 4 toddlers (up to 9), 1 for every 10 full-day preschoolers (up to 20) and 1 for every 13 school-age kids (up to 26), under 606 CMR 7.10. Miss either number, ratio or group size, and you’re out of compliance.
By our editors · Facts checked October 7, 2026
Disclosure: Treehouse Learning Center, which runs childcare and therapy programs in Massachusetts, publishes KidBrief. Our directory lists every licensed program, and we always label ours. Some links may be affiliate links: if you buy through them, we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. How we make money.
The short version
- Ratios and group caps come from 606 CMR 7.10, a licensing rule of the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). Both limits apply at once.
- Infants are under 15 months and run 1:3, max 7. Toddlers (15 to 33 months) run 1:4, max 9.
- There’s no nap-time exception in the regulation.
- Only qualified, assigned staff count. Volunteers and interns must be 16+ (18+ in family child care) and assigned for 3+ months.
- Programs open more than 7 hours can use mixed-age ratios only in the first and last 2 hours of the day.
Where do the rules come from?
Massachusetts sets ratios in 606 CMR 7.00, EEC’s licensing rules for family, small group and large group programs. EEC says it has no proposed amendments to its regulations right now, so the current text stands.
Always check the official regulation before you rely on any summary, including this one.
Who counts as an infant, toddler or preschooler?
EEC’s definitions set the lines:
- Infant: under 15 months.
- Toddler: 15 months up to 33 months (2 years, 9 months).
- Preschooler: 33 months until the child starts first grade.
- Kindergarten child: age 5, or entering first grade the next year.
- School age: kindergarten and older, attending elementary school.
Program type matters too. Family child care happens in the provider’s home. Small group programs serve 10 or fewer kids outside a home. Large group programs, including most centers, serve more than 10.
Center ratios and group sizes by age
These apply to large group programs with kids grouped by age:
| Age group | Educator to child ratio | Max group size | Qualified educator in the group |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infants (under 15 months) | 1:3, with one additional educator for 4 to 7 infants | 7 | At least one Infant/Toddler Teacher |
| Toddlers (15 to 33 months) | 1:4, with one additional educator for 5 to 9 toddlers | 9 | At least one Infant/Toddler Teacher |
| Preschool, full day | 1:10 | 20 | Preschool Teacher |
| Preschool, half day | 1:12 | 24 | Preschool Teacher |
| Kindergarten | 1:15 | 30 | Preschool Teacher |
| School age | 1:13 | 26 | Group Leader |
The two numbers work together. A preschool room with 22 kids breaks the rule even with three teachers, because the cap is 20.
Unsure how your licensor reads the additional-educator language for infant and toddler rooms? Ask before you build your schedule.
Mixed-age groups in centers
| Group | Educator to child ratio | Max group size | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Infant/toddler | 1:3, with one additional educator for 4 to 9 kids | 9 | No more than 3 infants; at least one Infant/Toddler Teacher |
| Toddler/preschool | 1:5, with one additional educator for 6 to 9 kids | 9 | Needs Infant/Toddler and Preschool Teacher qualifications |
| Preschool/school age | 1:10 | 20 | Oldest child no older than 8 |
| Kindergarten/school age | 1:13 | 26 | Group Leader |
Source: 606 CMR 7.10(9)(c).
Family child care and small group programs
Homes and small group programs use a multi-age table based on how many educators are present and how many kids are under 2.
| Children | Educators | Limits on younger children |
|---|---|---|
| 6 or fewer | 1 | No more than 3 under age 2, at least one of them walking; others over 24 months |
| 7 or 8 | 1 | Same under-2 limit; any kids beyond 6 must be school age |
| 6 or fewer | 2 | No more than 6 under age 2 |
| 7 to 10 | 2 | No more than 6 under age 2, and no more than 3 of them infants |
| 7 to 10 | 3 | No more than 6 infants; others at least 15 months |
When can you combine groups?
A center open more than seven hours a day may use the multi-age table during the first two and last two hours, as long as educators meet large group qualifications. Using it all day takes EEC approval and a self-contained space where every child’s needs are met.
Outside those windows, fixed-age or mixed-age center ratios apply.
Kids outside their age group
A center can place a child in the next older or younger group, but no more than two kids in a group may be outside its age range. You need parent approval, written reasons and documented monthly reviews, plus a written transition plan for a child older than the group.
Kids cross the 15-month and 33-month lines all year. Check birthdays every month.
Is there a nap-time ratio?
No. The regulation doesn’t lower ratios during rest, so staff nap time like any other part of the day.
In family child care and small group programs, educators must look at sleeping kids at least every 15 minutes. In every program, a child enrolled before 6 months old needs direct visual supervision for the first six weeks, naps included.
Who counts toward ratio?
- Counts: EEC-qualified staff assigned to the children during specific hours. Building your bench? Here’s how to become an EEC-certified lead teacher.
- Counts with conditions: volunteers and student interns assigned for at least three months who are at least 16 in group programs, or 18 in family child care.
- Doesn’t count: anyone not assigned to the kids at that moment, such as office or kitchen staff doing other work.
Small and large group programs must also keep a second adult immediately available, trained in health and emergency procedures. With more than one educator on duty, post a written schedule showing ratios are met at all times, including breaks and planning time.
7 compliance mistakes to avoid
- Meeting ratio but not group size. Extra staff don’t make an oversized group legal.
- Break and lunch gaps. A teacher steps out and nobody covers. Build float coverage into the posted schedule.
- Counting the wrong people. A 15-year-old volunteer, a new hire whose qualifications aren’t on file, or a director in the office doesn’t count.
- Combining groups too long. Multi-age ratios are limited to two hours at each end of the day, and only for programs open more than seven hours.
- Missing age transitions. More than two kids outside a group’s age range is a violation.
- Thinning staff at nap. There’s no nap-time exception.
- No qualified educator in the room. Infant and toddler groups need at least one Infant/Toddler Teacher.
Most of these come down to having enough people. Short-staffed? See how to recruit and keep qualified teachers.
For children who need extra support
Ratios are a floor, not a target. The regulation also requires enough educators to supervise every child, give individual attention and support each child’s development.
A child who tends to run off or needs help eating may mean staffing above ratio for part of the day. Plan float time, share each child’s support plan with every adult in the room, and coordinate with visiting therapists. Our guide to supporting IFSPs and IEPs in the classroom can help.
Why parents should care
Ratios shape safety and price. They’re a big reason infant care costs the most. On a tour, count adults and kids in each room, and use our tour checklist to check a program’s license.
Common questions
Does the director count toward ratio?
Only when the director is qualified for that group and assigned to the children during specific hours. Office time and tours don’t count. If you count the director, put those hours on the posted schedule.
Can ratios be relaxed during nap time?
No. 606 CMR 7.10 has no reduced ratio for rest time. Keep full ratios and the required visual checks while kids sleep.
What happens when a toddler turns 33 months mid-year?
Under EEC definitions, the child is now a preschooler. The child can stay in the toddler group as one of no more than two kids outside its age range, with parent approval, documentation, monthly reviews and a transition plan.
Can a 16-year-old count toward ratio?
In a small or large group program, yes, if the volunteer or intern is at least 16 and assigned for at least three months. In family child care, the minimum is 18.
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Sources
- 606 CMR 7.10: Ratios, Group Sizes and Supervision of Children (Cornell Legal Information Institute)
- 606 CMR 7.10: Ratios, Group Sizes and Supervision of Children (Justia Regulations)
- 606 CMR 7.02: Definitions (Justia Regulations)
- 606 CMR 7.00: Family, Group and School Age Child Care Programs (Mass.gov)
- EEC Laws and Regulations (Mass.gov)
- EEC Proposed Amendments to Regulations (Mass.gov)
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