HAR §17-892.2-36. Staff-child ratio and group size

(a) The staff-child ratio shall be met and maintained at all times by the facility. (b) The staff-child ratio shall be in writing and shall be made available to the department. Distribution of staff may include a team comprised of teacher, assistant teacher, and child care aides. The staff members shall be on site and shall be assigned to a group of children to be included in the staff-child ratio. Custodians, cooks, and bus drivers shall not be counted in the staff-child ratio when performing regular duties. (c) The director may teach and may be counted in the staff-child ratio as follows: 892.2-36 §17-892.2-36 (1) In a center with less than fifty children, the director may teach and may be counted in the staff-child ratio; and (2) In a center with fifty or more children the director may teach but shall not be included in the staff-child ratio. (A) Exception may be made and the director may be included in the staff-child ratio in cases of emergency or in special situations. In any case this inclusion in the staff-child ratio may not exceed ten hours per week. (B) Exception may be made and the director of a child care center, full day only, may be included in the staff-child ratio during the first and last hours of the regular operational day. (d) The following staff-child ratio and maximum group size shall be implemented: Ratio and Group Size Chart I | Age of Child | # of Children Per Staff Member | Maximum Group Size Permitted | | --- | --- | --- | | 0 - under 24 mo. | Not Permitted | Not Permitted | | 2 year olds | 8 | 16 | | 3 year olds | 12 | 24 | | 4 year olds | 16 | 32 | | 5 year and older | 20 | 40 | (1) Unless specific instructional curriculum and related provisions specify mixing the ages and excepting nap time, the number of children assigned to a staff member shall be determined by the age of the youngest child in the group (unit). (2) In those facilities in which an instructional curriculum as well as classroom environment and teacher training specifically require mixing the ages, the number of children per staff member shall be determined by the average of the staff-child 892.2-37