The Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) program requires states to describe their standards for child-to-provider ratios in their CCDF plans. Although each state has the ability to set their own standards for child-to-provider ratios, the Office of the Administration for Children & Families (ACF) advises states to refer to the recommended standards in the Caring for Our Children: National Health and Safety Performance Standards. The child-to-provider ratio states the maximum number of children that should be allowed under each adult/provider. Smaller child-to-provider ratios promote improved quality of caregiving and improved verbal interactions between the provider and the child. Additionally, children’s safety and sanitation could get compromised if the providers are busy meeting the needs of all the other children.
The Early Head Start (EHS) standard for adult-to-child ratio for children ages 0 to 3 years old is one teacher for every four children. This indicator is a count of whether the state’s ratio requirements meet or exceed EHS standards of 1:4 at the following ages: 11 months, 19 months, and 30 months, as reported in their CCDF plans. States received one point for meeting this benchmark at each age.
American Academy of Pediatrics, American Public Health Association. (2011). Caring for our children: National health and safety performance standards; Guidelines for early care and education programs, Third Edition. https://nrckids.org/files/CFOC3_updated_final.pdf Early Childhood Learning & Knowledge Center. (n.d.). Head Start Policy and Regulations: 1302.21 Center-based Option. https://eclkc.ohs.acf.hhs.gov/policy/45-cfr-chap-xiii/1302-21-center-based-option
Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care. (2022). Approved CCDF Plans (FY 2022-2024). https://www.acf.hhs.gov/occ/form/approved-ccdf-plans-fy-2022-2024