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Daycare Center and Family Home Forum>State/Max
Blackcat31 12:17 PM 08-10-2012
What is your state/providence?

What is your max number of kids.

Not concerned about ages...just the maximum number of kids you can legally have ALONE.


I am in MN.

The max number of kids I can have ALONE is 12.
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Crazy8 12:21 PM 08-10-2012
5 - New Jersey

ridiculously low compared to other states!!!
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daycare 12:23 PM 08-10-2012
Ca- 8 kids
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Oneluckymom 12:24 PM 08-10-2012
So. California. I can have no more than 8 (small license) but I have my own 2 kids that count so can only ENROLL 6.
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WImom 12:26 PM 08-10-2012
WI - 8 (goes down if you have toddlers/infants)
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Country Kids 12:28 PM 08-10-2012
OR-10

If I went the next step up I believe it would be 13 and with a helper 16
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wahmof3 12:46 PM 08-10-2012
OH- 6 type B
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daycare 12:48 PM 08-10-2012
Originally Posted by wahmof3:
OH- 6 type B
sorry- what does that mean type B???
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juliebug 12:48 PM 08-10-2012
10 but 2 must be school agers
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wahmof3 12:53 PM 08-10-2012
Originally Posted by daycare:
sorry- what does that mean type B???
Type B home in Ohio is certified by the state.

The next level up is Type A for a home provider, which you can have 12 kids but need an assistant and you are licensed.

The next level up is center.
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momofsix 01:00 PM 08-10-2012
MI-only 6
Our number is too small and so was my post
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DBug 01:02 PM 08-10-2012
Not a state, but I'll add it anyway

Ontario - 5 max (not including your own for unlicensed)
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Heidi 01:03 PM 08-10-2012
Originally Posted by WImom:
WI - 8 (goes down if you have toddlers/infants)
Basically, each one under two takes 2 spots
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Provider_Manda 01:04 PM 08-10-2012
Ohio - 6 also type B
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DCBlessings27 01:06 PM 08-10-2012
KS--max is 10 alone. My child (and the one on the way) count until 11, so I could only enroll 8.
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AnneCordelia 01:06 PM 08-10-2012
Ontario Canada -- max of 5 kids that are not your own. No age restrictions.
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Lianne 01:38 PM 08-10-2012
Ontario - 5 daycare children plus your own. Doesn't matter how many adults there are, the number is still 5
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daycarediva 01:50 PM 08-10-2012
NY- 6 + two school aged kids. Our own children count until they are enrolled in school FT.

I wish I could take more, I can honestly handle my current load with ease, and once I eliminate SA care, I can't replace them ALL with FT kids.
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crunchymama 02:11 PM 08-10-2012
WV--6 kids total, provider's own kids count in the 6
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Crystal 02:29 PM 08-10-2012
Ca

Alone, I can have up to 8 with 2 being school age

I am licensed for 14, 2 must be school age and there must be two providers
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Sugar Magnolia 03:41 PM 08-10-2012
Florida. 1 child per 35 square feet of indoor space. I am licensed for 15, must have 2 providers, but I have 3.

But I'm a center. Wondering if home providers square footage requirements too?
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SunnyDay 03:43 PM 08-10-2012
MI-can have 6 alone.

I am licensed for 12 with an assistant.
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EntropyControlSpecialist 03:45 PM 08-10-2012
12 alone (18 mos. and up) by being licensed in the same way that a daycare center is licensed.
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snbauser 05:01 PM 08-10-2012
NC - 5 preschool or younger or 8 with 3 being school aged but that depends on your city/county since some won't let you go over 5.

I am at 12 with a helper.
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EchoMom 05:27 PM 08-10-2012
Holy Moley! I thought Ohio was one of the most lenient, I had no idea some states let you have so many alone! And unlicensed? I'm Ohio, 6 including my own DS, legally unlicensed. I wish I could have more, I could handle it. :P

OH- 6 alone and legally unlicensed (type b), including own DS, of which only 3 can be under age 2.
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Childminder 05:33 PM 08-10-2012
MI - Six(6) under seven(7)
Rule 10. (1) The ratio of caregiving staff to children present in the home at any 1 time shall be not less than 1 caregiving staff person to 6 children. The ratio shall include all unrelated children in care and any of the fol- lowing children who are less than 7 years of age:
(a) Children of the caregiver. (b) Children of the assistant caregiver. (c) Children related to any member of the child care home family by blood, marriage, or adoption.
(2) For each caregiving staff person, not more than 4 children shall be under the age of 30 months, with not more than 2 of the 4 children under the age of 18 months.
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frugalmama4 05:43 PM 08-10-2012
12 includes my own four
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Breezy 05:54 PM 08-10-2012
Arizona-4

Moving to North Dakota and will be allowed 6 on base
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bluemoose_mom 06:22 PM 08-10-2012
Here in ND-
If you are unliscensed you can have 5 kids.

If you are liscensed (I am), you can have 7 kids+2 schoolors (but only before and after school care). If you have more than 3 under 24 months, than you can only have 5 kids+2 schoolers (again, only before and after school care).

I only have 5 between the ages of 12 months and 3 1/2. I can still take on 2 more kids over 24 months, but I'm not going to be.

I may fill those spots with schoolers that I can have full time.
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jojosmommy 07:04 PM 08-10-2012
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
What is your state/providence?

What is your max number of kids.

Not concerned about ages...just the maximum number of kids you can legally have ALONE.


I am in MN.

The max number of kids I can have ALONE is 12.

I agree. However I have a c license and can only have 10. (Did I seriously say ONLY!!! )
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crazydaycarelady 07:10 PM 08-10-2012
MT = 6 kids (with 2 additional over 2yo allowed for up to 3 hours a day)
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melissa ann 07:20 PM 08-10-2012
PA: 3 unlicensed, 6 if licensed
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Hunni Bee 08:09 PM 08-10-2012
VA - 12 total (not counting kids who live in the home), but per caregiver its based on a point system, in which your own kids do count:

infants are worth 4 pts
12-24 months (?) are worth 3 pts
2-5 is 2 points
5-9 is 1 point
over 10 is 0 points.

Each person is limited 16 points max. So the only way you keep the maximum of 12 kids alone is if you have mostly school agers.
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PitterPatter 09:11 PM 08-10-2012
WV - 6 kids including your own and no more than 2 under the age of 2 at 1 time.
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countrymom 07:00 AM 08-11-2012
ont. 5 kids, not including your own and over the age of 10 don't count in your numbers. I really think it should be more (wait, its slow right now)
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SilverSabre25 07:44 AM 08-11-2012
Originally Posted by wahmof3:
Type B home in Ohio is certified by the state.

The next level up is Type A for a home provider, which you can have 12 kids but need an assistant and you are licensed.

The next level up is center.
One note--Type B does not HAVE to be certified by the state.
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Fruitloops1 11:10 AM 08-11-2012
IL-8 kiddos, out of those 8, 3 have to be SA's. Max of 5 under 5. No more than 3 under 24mos.
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itlw8 11:48 AM 08-11-2012
MO 10 plus 3 overlap for up to 2 hours a day my kids do not count nor do my grand kids.
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sweetiejen 12:08 PM 08-11-2012
Originally Posted by Azra11:
IL-8 kiddos, out of those 8, 3 have to be SA's. Max of 5 under 5. No more than 3 under 24mos.
This is only if you are licensed, correct?

I think if you are unlicensed, IL only allows 3 kids including your own!! I have two of my own, so looks like I am forced to get a license (unless anyone knows differently?) Definitely can't survive with just one kid!
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Fruitloops1 05:05 PM 08-11-2012
Originally Posted by sweetiejen:
This is only if you are licensed, correct?

I think if you are unlicensed, IL only allows 3 kids including your own!! I have two of my own, so looks like I am forced to get a license (unless anyone knows differently?) Definitely can't survive with just one kid!
Yup unlicensed max of 3, your own children count into that mix too. I am waiting for my license, so I have three enrolled now until my Rep decides to get her happy tush to my house and do her inspection!
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sweetiejen 05:38 PM 08-11-2012
Originally Posted by Azra11:
Yup unlicensed max of 3, your own children count into that mix too. I am waiting for my license, so I have three enrolled now until my Rep decides to get her happy tush to my house and do her inspection!
Can I ask how long it took for you to go through the licensing process? We're buying a new house next year and I'm wondering if I should start the process now, or wait until we are moved in! We are currently renting to save up our down payment, so we can't start anything until we move.
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DaisyMamma 07:48 PM 08-11-2012
Originally Posted by Hunni Bee:
VA - 12 total (not counting kids who live in the home), but per caregiver its based on a point system, in which your own kids do count:

infants are worth 4 pts
12-24 months (?) are worth 3 pts
2-5 is 2 points
5-9 is 1 point
over 10 is 0 points.

Each person is limited 16 points max. So the only way you keep the maximum of 12 kids alone is if you have mostly school agers.
That's an interesting way to do it.

I'm a licensed family daycare in CT; 9 max, but at least 3 have to be schoolage and can only be there after or before school. My own kids count. I can only have 2 kids under age 2.
Adding an assistant does not increase the number of kids I can have.
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BumbleBee 11:31 PM 08-11-2012
Michigan. 6.
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BumbleBee 11:39 PM 08-11-2012
Originally Posted by Sugar Magnolia:
Florida. 1 child per 35 square feet of indoor space. I am licensed for 15, must have 2 providers, but I have 3.

But I'm a center. Wondering if home providers square footage requirements too?
In Michigan we do. 35 sq. Feet of usable indoor space per child cleared by licensing for child care use not including bathroom and storage areas. Outside it's 400 sq. Feet for a family home (6 kids) and 800 sq. Feet for a group home (12 kids)
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Blackcat31 07:54 AM 08-12-2012
Originally Posted by Sugar Magnolia:
Florida. 1 child per 35 square feet of indoor space. I am licensed for 15, must have 2 providers, but I have 3.

But I'm a center. Wondering if home providers square footage requirements too?
FAMILY CHILD CARE
MN requires family child care providers to have a minimum of 35 square feet of usable indoor space per child.
....and there must be an outdoor play space of at least 50 square feet per child in attendance, adjacent to the residence, for regular use, OR a park, playground, or play space within 1,500 feet of the residence.

CENTERS
Centers in MN are required to have a minimum of 35 square feet of indoor space available for each child in attendance. (Hallways, stairways, closets, utility rooms, lavatories, water closets, kitchens, and space occupied by cribs may not be counted as indoor space). Twenty-five percent of the space occupied by furniture or equipment used by staff or children may be counted as indoor space.

Outdoor space must have an outdoor activity area of at least 1,500 square feet, and there must be at least 75 square feet of space per child within the area at any given time during use. OR an outdoor activity area within 2,000 feet of the center or transportation must be provided by the license holder. In no case, however, shall the outdoor activity area be farther than one-half mile from the center.
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nothingwithoutjoy 07:45 PM 08-12-2012
I live in MA and am allowed 8 children alone.
2 of those must be school-agers. My own count in the other 6, no matter how old they are, because they're home schooled.
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GretasLittleFriends 08:19 PM 08-12-2012
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
What is your state/providence?

What is your max number of kids.

Not concerned about ages...just the maximum number of kids you can legally have ALONE.


I am in MN.

The max number of kids I can have ALONE is 12.
What you said...

I have to include 2 of my 3 own children in that head count. The other one will be 17 in September.
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MaritimeMummy 04:53 AM 08-13-2012
I'm in Nova Scotia, and I can have 6, this number includes my own 2 kids.

I only have 5, so 3 DCKs.

I want to keep it at that number. It's a good number and I'm not overworked or stressed.
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laundrymom 06:01 AM 08-13-2012
Indiana, over 3 yr only 12 + 3 B/A SA.
Mixed ages = 10 + 3 B/A SA.
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williams08 06:14 AM 08-13-2012
I am in Arkansas and I can only have 6, and it sucks cause I'm hardly making any money! I could easily handle 10 kids!!
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VTMom 06:22 AM 08-13-2012
Vermont- 6 full time + 4 school age (including 2 under 2 years old). Our own kids above age 2 aren't included in our numbers.

Interesting ranges between states!
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newtodaycare22 11:21 AM 08-13-2012
In Md, you have to be licensed and the max for a small family home daycare is 8 (any child you have of your own takes away from that number) and the large family daycare is 12.
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DCMom 11:43 AM 08-13-2012
Originally Posted by Hunni Bee:
VA - 12 total (not counting kids who live in the home), but per caregiver its based on a point system, in which your own kids do count:

infants are worth 4 pts
12-24 months (?) are worth 3 pts
2-5 is 2 points
5-9 is 1 point
over 10 is 0 points.

Each person is limited 16 points max. So the only way you keep the maximum of 12 kids alone is if you have mostly school agers.
This is a really interesting concept. I've never heard it before. Wouldn't work for me though...right now I have 25 points sleeping around me I have often wondered why child/adult ratios have varied so much from state to state.

I'm in MN, C3 Group license for 14. I must run at a C2 if I don't have a second adult (12). However, the under 2 ratios are different for C2/C3 so I just have a second person at all times just to make sure I am covered.

I have to say, I appreciate the higher numbers. It enables providers to make a decent living, which goes a long way to less burn out on the profession IMHO. Minnesota has several classes of licenses which enables providers to choose the type of daycare they want to have. From A1 (10 max / 6 under school age) that we all start out with to C3 (14 total/10 under school age) and everything in between.

Blackcat ~ why did you ask? Just wondering
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Blackcat31 12:49 PM 08-13-2012
Originally Posted by DCMom:
Blackcat ~ why did you ask? Just wondering
Because I noticed in several other threads providers had made comments about the differences in ratios and the total number of kids they could have so I figured if I made a new thread asking, the members who were wondering could get all the info for most states in one place

Personally, I feel MN is one of the most lenient states and I think there was a couple other states who could have as many but now I can't remember which ones. LOL!

I am amazed how some providers can even make a decent living with only having 4 or 5 kids. Then the ones who have to count their own....seems silly to even do daycare when you are only allowed to earn an income off 1 or 2 kids.

Someday, I would love to see a general framework of simplified, streamlined rules that applied to ALL states as far as ratios and capacity limits. Let the states/counties govern the little stuff but let the federal government manage the basics. IMPO, I think it would help professionalize child care as a profession as well as help ALL kids get the same benefits no matter which state they live in.
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Country Kids 12:54 PM 08-13-2012
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Because I noticed in several other threads providers had made comments about the differences in ratios and the total number of kids they could have so I figured if I made a new thread asking, the members who were wondering could get all the info for most states in one place

Personally, I feel MN is one of the most lenient states and I think there was a couple other states who could have as many but now I can't remember which ones. LOL!

I am amazed how some providers can even make a decent living with only having 4 or 5 kids. Then the ones who have to count their own....seems silly to even do daycare when you are only allowed to earn an income off 1 or 2 kids.

Someday, I would love to see a general framework of simplified, streamlined rules that applied to ALL states as far as ratios and capacity limits. Let the states/counties govern the little stuff but let the federal government manage the basics. IMPO, I think it would help professionalize child care as a profession as well as help ALL kids get the same benefits no matter which state they live in.
I'm allowed to have 10 but really 6 when my kids where little as I had 4 kids myself. So that was really tricky as you can only have 6 preschoolers! A little hard when at least 3 of mine at a time where preschoolers. Made it hard to sometimes make money. Also, they counted till they were 13 so for the first 10 years of childcare all four of mine where in my counts. All of them till 7th grade!
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DCMom 01:27 PM 08-13-2012
Originally Posted by Blackcat31:
Someday, I would love to see a general framework of simplified, streamlined rules that applied to ALL states as far as ratios and capacity limits. Let the states/counties govern the little stuff but let the federal government manage the basics. IMPO, I think it would help professionalize child care as a profession as well as help ALL kids get the same benefits no matter which state they live in.
I totally agree with this ~ that's why the point system interested me. It would be very easy for everyone to understand. You could 'earn' higher point levels with different qualifications. Like a preschool/kindergarten readiness program or separate daycare area/home or higher education or years of experience or whatever could all a higher point level.
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Fruitloops1 02:54 PM 08-13-2012
Originally Posted by sweetiejen:
Can I ask how long it took for you to go through the licensing process? We're buying a new house next year and I'm wondering if I should start the process now, or wait until we are moved in! We are currently renting to save up our down payment, so we can't start anything until we move.
I would say it takes them about 6 months or so. I've heard people say that it took them about 3 months. It all depends how quick you fill out your paper work and get your hazard plan together for them.
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sweetiejen 05:12 PM 08-13-2012
Originally Posted by Azra11:
I would say it takes them about 6 months or so. I've heard people say that it took them about 3 months. It all depends how quick you fill out your paper work and get your hazard plan together for them.
Thanks for responding! Looks like I will get on this soon.
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nanglgrl 12:01 AM 08-14-2012
If you are unregistered in Iowa you can have 5 including your own.

If you are a type A registered provider in Iowa you can have 6 including your own.

If you are a type B registered provider in Iowa you can have 12 but if you have more than 8 you have to have an assistant present. Of the 12 two must be part time and their hours must be documented, combined they can't use more than 180 hours per month. Also 4 of the 12 must be school aged.

There is also a type C where there are 2 providers and the max is 16 children but I don't know the specifics.

To meet the requirements of each type you have to have a certain amount of square feet per child and certain other requirements.

For the type A and B you can have no more than 3 under 18 months and 4 under 24 months.

I'm a type B but I don't take school aged so I usually have 8 children in my care, 2 are my own but luckily one is in preschool so I count her as a part timer.
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