Georgia

Georgia Department of Early Care and Learning (DECAL) - Bright from the Start

Ga. Comp. R. & Regs. Chapter 591-1-1, Rules for Child Care Learning Centers (July 1, 2025 edition)

Researched 2026-09 · Summary, not legal advice — confirm with the agency before acting on a figure.

Staff-child ratios

Infants

1:6

Under 1 year (or under 18 months and not walking)

max group 12

Toddlers

1:8

1-year-olds who are walking

max group 16

Preschool

1:15

3-year-olds

max group 30

School-age

1:25

6 years and older

max group 50

Annual training: 10 clock hours of approved training per calendar year after the first year of employment (must include at least 2 hours in language/literacy practices and 2 hours in child development or health and safety). Pediatric CPR (renewed every 2 years) and pediatric first aid (every 3 years) certification required within 45 days of hire; those hours do not count toward the 10.
Lead teacher: Teacher/lead caregivers must be at least 18 and hold a qualifying credential such as a CDA, a Technical Certificate of Credit or diploma in early childhood education/child development, or an equivalent approved credential or degree (Rule 591-1-1-.31(2)).
Director: Directors must be at least 21 with one of several education-plus-experience combinations, ranging from a CDA or technical certificate plus 6 months of qualifying child care experience, up to a bachelor's or master's in early childhood education; a 40-hour approved director course plus 5 years as a center director also qualifies (Rule 591-1-1-.31(1)).
Worth knowing: Full ratio table (Rule 591-1-1-.32): 2-year-olds 1:10 (group 20); 4-year-olds 1:18 (36); 5-year-olds 1:20 (40). Max group size does not apply to centers licensed for 18 or fewer children or to outdoor play/short special activities. DECAL has proposed rule changes for October 2026.

A ratio is easy to read and hard to hold at 3pm on the playground.