New Jersey Daycare Ratios and Group Sizes

New Jersey child care center ratios

Source

These figures come from the New Jersey Administrative Code, N.J.A.C. 3A:52-4.3 (Staff/child ratios and supervision) and 3A:52-4.4 (Grouping of children), administered by the New Jersey Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing. See the New Jersey Manual of Requirements for Child Care Centers.

Last verified: October 2026

Rules that can change these numbers

At least two staff members must be present when six or more children under age 6 are in care. When children of different ages share a room, the center computes the staff needed for each age group separately and adds the results, rounding up. Lower ratios apply during rest or sleep when the rule's conditions are met. The 20-child group limit does not apply during meals, naptime, outdoor activities, specially scheduled events, or information sharing sessions of 15 minutes or less. Centers where half or more of the children have special needs, and centers serving sick children, follow different ratios. At least two staff members must accompany children on any field trip.

Track staff-to-child ratios in Caredence

Caredence compares the children checked in to each classroom with the staff checked in to that room, using the children-per-staff limit your center sets for the room, and shows an over-ratio warning when there aren't enough staff. It doesn't apply state rules automatically, so use the figures above to choose each room's limit.

Check another location with the state ratio calculator, or see how Caredence supports daycare compliance.

For a national overview, read the staff-to-child ratios by state guide.