Alabama
One of the 6, with no sub-cap of any kind. 660-5-27-.02(9)
One age, every verified state
Daycare ratio for 2 year olds in home care, state by state
Verified September 1, 2026The second birthday is the biggest single unlock in home daycare math: in most verified states the child leaves the under-two caps and becomes a regular member of the group. Pennsylvania is the great exception, holding every child under 3 inside one combined cap. Here is what a 2 year old costs a provider in each state.
State by state
California
No longer an infant from the second birthday, which frees the small-home mix to run 6 or 8. 22 CCR 102416.5(b)
Iowa
Out of the under-24-months cap; counts toward not-in-school totals of 6 in category A, 8 in B, 14 in C. 441 IAC 110.13 to 110.15
Maryland
Preschooler rows apply: a same-age group of 2 year olds runs 1 staff to 6 with a group size of 12 in large homes. COMAR 13A.18.08.03C
Missouri
Out of the under-two caps on both sides of the licensing line: the exemption and the mix table both relax. RSMo 210.211.1(1); 5 CSR 25-400.105
Oklahoma
From age two the full 7-child group is available, provided at most 2 of the others are under two. OAC 340:110-3-84(b)
Pennsylvania
Still inside the combined under-3 cap of 5 until the third birthday, related and unrelated alike. 55 Pa. Code 3290.52
Texas
A toddler until 35 months on the charts; the columns loosen again at three. 26 TAC 747.1701
Virginia
Costs 2 points: eight 2 year olds exactly fill one caregiver’s 16-point budget. 8VAC20-800-570(A)
Washington
Out of under-two, inside the under-three cap of 4 at the mid level; the top-level group of 10 opens at age three. WAC 110-300-0355
Real questions, short answers
How many 2 year olds can one provider have?
Where the second birthday clears the caps, the ordinary ceilings govern: 6 in Alabama, 6 to 8 in California, up to 8 in Virginia by points, 6 same-age with one adult in a Maryland large home. Pennsylvania stays at 5 under-3s and Washington at 4 under-3s until age three.
Does a 2 year old count as a toddler or a preschooler?
Depends on the state: toddler in Texas until 35 months, preschooler in Maryland from the second birthday, plain child in Alabama and Iowa. The label changes which staffing row applies, so check the band map on your state ratio page.
Other ages
DaycareRules is an informational reference about home child care licensing rules in the United States. It reprints thresholds, capacity limits, ratios and citations from state statutes and regulations, together with the date each state was last verified. Nothing on this site is legal advice, and rules change. Confirm with your state licensing agency before acting on any number printed here.