441—109.8 (237A) Staff ratio requirements.
	 109.8(1) Staff requirements. Persons counted as part of the staff ratio shall meet the following requirements:
	  a.   	 Be at least 16 years of age. If less than 18 years of age, the staff shall be under the direct supervision of an adult.
	  b.   	 Be involved with children in programming activities.
	  c.   	 At least one staff person on duty in the center and outdoor play area when children are present and present on field trips shall be over the age of 18 and hold current certification in first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) as required in rule 441—109.7(237A).
	 109.8(2) Staff ratio. The staff-to-child ratio shall be as follows:

Age of children	Minimum ratio of staff to children	
Two weeks to two years	One to every four children	
Two years	One to every six children	
Three years	One to every eight children	
Four years	One to every twelve children	
Five years to ten years	One to every fifteen children	
Ten years and over	One to every twenty children	
	  a.   	 Combinations of age groupings for children four years of age and older may be allowed and may have staff ratio determined on the age of the majority of the children in the group. If children three years of age and under are included in the combined age group, the staff ratio for children aged three and under shall be maintained for these children. Preschools shall have staff ratios determined on the age of the majority of the children, including children who are three years of age.
	  b.   	 If a child between the ages of 18 and 24 months is placed outside the infant area, as defined at subrule 109.11(2), the staff ratio of 1 to 4 shall be maintained as would otherwise be required for the group until the child reaches the age of two.
	  c.   	 Every child-occupied program room shall have adult supervision present in the room.
	  d.   	 During nap time, at least one staff shall be present in every room where children are resting. Staff ratio requirements may be reduced to one staff per room where children are resting for a period of time not to exceed one hour provided staff ratio coverage can be maintained in the center. The staff ratio shall always be maintained in the infant area.
	  e.   	 The minimum staff ratio shall be maintained at mealtimes and for any outdoor activities at the center.
	  f.   	 When seven or more children over the age of three are present on the licensed premises or are being transported in one vehicle, at least two adult staff shall be present. Only one adult is required when a center is transporting children in a center-owned vehicle with parent authorization for the sole purpose of transporting children to and from school. When a center contracts with another entity to provide transportation other than for the purpose of transporting school-age children to or from school, at least one adult staff in addition to the driver shall be present if at least seven children provided care by the center are transported.
	  g.   	 Any child care center-sponsored program activity involving five or more children conducted away from the licensed facility shall provide a minimum of one additional staff over the required staff ratio for the protection of the children.
	  h.   	 For a period of two hours or less at the beginning or end of the center’s hours of operation, one staff may care for six children or less, provided no more than two of the children are under the age of two years.
	  i.   	 For centers or preschools serving school-age children, the ratio for school-age children may be exceeded for a period of no more than four hours during a day when school classes start late or are dismissed early due to inclement weather or structural damage provided the children are already enrolled at the center and the center does not exceed the licensed capacity.