La. Admin. Code tit. 28 § CLXI-1711
Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024
Section CLXI-1711 - Child-to-Staff Minimum RatiosA. Child to staff ratios are established to ensure the safety of all children.B. Minimum child to staff ratios shall be met at all times. 1. There shall be a minimum of two staff members present at an early learning center when more than four children are present.2. Only those staff members directly providing care, supervision or guidance to children shall be counted in the child to staff ratios.C. The department's form noting required child-to-staff ratios shall be posted in each room included in the centers licensed capacity.D. Minimum child-to-staff ratios for centers are as follows. 1. Infants under 1 year, 5:1;4. Children 3 years, 13:1;E. Mixed Age Groups-Minimum Child to Staff Ratios 1. An average of the child to staff ratios may be applied to mixed age groups of children ages two, three, four and five.2. Child to staff ratios for children under age two are excluded from averaging.3. When a mixed age group includes children younger than age two, the age of the youngest child determines the child to staff ratio for the group.4. An average may be applied to a mixed age group consisting only of children ages five and older.F. Rest Time-Minimum Child to Staff Ratios 1. Sufficient staffing needed to satisfy child to staff ratios shall be present on the premises during rest time and available to assist as needed.2. Children ages one and older may be grouped together at rest time with one staff member in each room supervising the resting children.G. Walking To and From School. Minimum child to staff ratios shall be met when walking children to and from school.H. Field Trips-Minimum Child to Staff Ratios 1. Minimum child to staff ratios, plus one additional adult, shall be met for all field trips.2. An adult staff member from the center shall be present with each group of children.3. At no time shall a child or group of children be left alone without an adult staff member present unless the child is supervised by the parent of the child or designated representative authorized in writing by the parent.I. Non-vehicular ExcursionsMinimum Child to Staff Ratios 1. Minimum child to staff ratio, plus one additional adult, shall be met for all non-vehicular excursions.2. An adult staff member from the center shall be present with each group of children.3. At no time shall a child or group of children be left alone without an adult staff member present unless the child is supervised by the childs parent or designated representative authorized in writing by the parent on the non-vehicular excursions.J. Water ActivitiesMinimum Child to Staff Ratios 1. A minimum of two staff shall be present when children are engaged in water activities.2. The following minimum child to staff ratios apply when children are engaged in water activities, excluding water play activities, unless the children are participating in swimming lessons with a certified water safety instructor. Ages of Children | Ratio |
Three years | 20:2 |
Four years | 25:2 |
Five years and up | 30:2 |
3. The age of the youngest child determines the child to staff ratio when children in a group are of mixed ages.K. Children with Disabilities and Children with Special Health Care Needs-Minimum Child to Staff Ratios. When the nature of a child with special health care needs or the number of children with special health care needs warrants added care, the center shall add sufficient staff as necessary.L. Maximum group sizes for centers are as follows.1. Infants under 1 year, 15;La. Admin. Code tit. 28, § CLXI-1711
Promulgated by the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, LR 41633 (April 2015). effective 7/1/2015, Amended LR 43638 (4/1/2017), Amended LR 44250 (2/1/2018), effective 3/1/2018, Amended LR 441865 (10/1/2018), Amended, LR 45525 (4/1/2019), Amended LR 471276 (9/1/2021), Amended LR 491712 (10/1/2023), Amended LR 50968 (7/1/2024).AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with R.S. 17:6 and 17:407.40(A)(3).