Alabama Child Day Care Centers – What Are the Staffing Ratios?

By Scott Soutullo, Attorney and David Wolf, Attorney
Published by Child Injury Lawyer Network

In Alabama and Other States, staffing ratios or staffing requirements are set forth in rules and regulations promulgated by the State to insure adequate staffing of the facility and supervision of the children in the day care center. The Department of Human Resources for the State of Alabama clearly sets forth Minimum Standards for Child Day Care Centers including Staff Requirements as follows:

For Children Ages Zero to 18 months
1 Staff Member for Every 5 Children;

For Children Ages 18 months up to 2 1/2 years
1 Staff Member for Every 7 Children;

For Children 24 months up to 36 months;
1 Staff Member for Every 8 Children;

For Children 2 1/2 years up to 4 years;
1 Staff Member for Every 11 Children;

For Children 4 years up to School Age
1 Staff Member for Every 18 Children;
(School age means children enrolled in public or private school.)

For Children School Age up to 8 years
1 Staff Member for Every 21 Years;

For Children 8 Years and Older
1 Staff Member for Every 22 Children

There are some changes in the formula when different age groups are mixed or grouped together. The staffing ratios are minimum requirements. In other words, a facility can employ more staff for supervision of the children according the facility and the needs of the children. It is important for the staff to be in place at the facility but also to do the job of caring for and supervising the children in the Alabama child day care center. Adequate staffing and supervision can help reduce the incidents of child personal injuries and accidents in the child day care center.