Minnesota

Minnesota Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) — Child Care Licensing

Minn. Rules ch. 9503 (Child Care Center Licensing, 'Rule 3'; ratios at 9503.0040) and Minn. Stat. ch. 142B

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

Staff-child ratios

Infants

1:4

6 weeks up to 16 months

max group 8

Toddlers

1:7

16 months up to 33 months

max group 14

Preschool

1:10

33 months to kindergarten entry

max group 20

School-age

1:15

attending kindergarten and older

max group 30

Annual training: Directors and staff working more than 20 hours/week: 24 hours of in-service training per calendar year; staff working 20 hours/week or less: 12 hours (Minn. Stat. 142B.65). Pediatric first aid and pediatric CPR must be repeated at least every other calendar year.
Lead teacher: Teachers must be at least 18 and qualify via combinations under Minn. R. 9503.0032, e.g., a bachelor's degree plus 1,040 hours of assistant-teacher experience and coursework, a CDA plus 1,560 hours of experience, a qualifying Minnesota teaching license, or a high school diploma plus 4,160 hours of experience and 24 quarter credits.
Director: Directors must be at least 18, hold a high school diploma or equivalent, have at least 1,040 hours of staff-supervision experience, and have 9 quarter credits or 90 hours of coursework in staff supervision, human relations, and child development (Minn. R. 9503.0031); directors who also teach must meet teacher qualifications.
Worth knowing: Age categories can be extended by written agreement (infant up to 18 months; toddler up to 35 months). Child care licensing moved from DHS to the new Department of Children, Youth, and Families; Minn. Stat. 245A.40 was renumbered 142B.65 (2025).

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