Washington
Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF)
WAC Chapter 110-300 — Foundational Quality Standards for Early Learning Programs (center ratios: WAC 110-300-0356)
Researched 2026-09 · Summary, not legal advice — confirm with the agency before acting on a figure.
Staff-child ratios
Infants
1:4
birth through 11 months
max group 8
Toddlers
1:7
12 through 29 months
max group 14
Preschool
1:10
30 months through 6 years (not in kindergarten)
max group 20
School-age
1:15
5 through 12 years (enrolled in kindergarten/elementary)
max group 30
Requirements
- Annual training
- Early learning providers must complete 10 hours of annual in-service training after 12 months of cumulative employment (WAC 110-300-0107). First aid/CPR certification and required health and safety trainings must be completed within three months of hire (WAC 110-300-0106).
- Lead teacher
- A center lead teacher must have a high school diploma or equivalent, complete preservice requirements, and hold an ECE initial certificate or equivalent by August 1, 2030, or within five years of being hired or promoted into the position, whichever is later (WAC 110-300-0100).
- Director
- A center director must hold an ECE state certificate or equivalent as approved and verified in the state workforce registry, plus two years of experience teaching children in an early learning program and at least six months of administration or management experience (WAC 110-300-0100).
- Worth knowing
- WAC 110-300-0356 also allows alternate configurations: infants 1:3 with max group 9; toddlers 1:5 with max group 15. Mixed-age groups follow the youngest child's requirements.
A ratio is easy to read and hard to hold at 3pm on the playground.
Rehearse supervision