Types of Child Care Center Licenses & Ratios
The table below outlines common license types for Child Care Centers in California, including age groups, adult–child ratios, and key operational notes.
| License Type | Age Group(s) | Adult–Child Ratios | Notes |
| Infant/Toddler Center | Birth–36 months | 1:4 (infants under 24 months); 1:6 (toddlers 24–36 months) | Requires infant-trained staff, safe sleep spaces, diapering area, and indoor/outdoor space designed for non-ambulatory and mobile infants. |
| Infant/Toddler & Preschool Center | Birth–5 years | 1:4 (infants); 1:6 (toddlers); 1:12 (preschoolers 2–5 years) | Must maintain separate indoor/outdoor areas and developmentally appropriate materials for each group; ratios apply separately to each age group. |
| Comprehensive Center (Infant/Toddler, Preschool, School-Age) | Birth–12 years | 1:4 (infants); 1:6 (toddlers); 1:12 (preschoolers); 1:14 (school-age) | Designed to accommodate multiple age groups with designated classrooms, equipment, and staff qualified for each age range; may include before- and after-school programs. |
