California Code § 101216.3(a): Teacher-Child Ratio Requirements
📋Type A Violation🏢Affects: Child Care Centers
27
facilities cited recently
That's 1 in 1429 facilities
10
counties affected
Statewide issue - not isolated
41
most common citation
Inspectors are watching for this
📈
Increasing
Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days
27 facilities (was 15)+12 facilities
What's Being Cited in Each Region Over the Past 90 Days
Based on analysis of CA facilities, here's where California Code § 101216.3(a): Teacher-Child Ratio Requirements citations are happening over the past 90 days.
Los Angeles County
8 citations
Sacramento County
4 citations
Orange County
3 citations
San Diego County
2 citations
Santa Clara County
2 citations
Contra Costa County
2 citations
San Bernardino County
2 citations
San Luis Obispo County
2 citations
Nevada County
1 citations
San Joaquin County
1 citations
Data updated weekly from CCLD public records. Last update: 12/15/2025
What Is California Code § 101216.3(a): Teacher-Child Ratio Requirements?
California Code § 101216.3(a)
There shall be a ratio of one teacher visually observing and supervising no more than 12 children in attendance, except as specified in (b) and (c) below.
Why This Matters
Pro tip: Walk through your emergency procedures with your staff during orientation. Make sure everyone knows where the first aid kit is, who calls 911, and who calls parents.
See California Code § 101216.3(a): Teacher-Child Ratio Requirements Citations in Your County
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How to Avoid Teacher-Child Ratio Requirements Citations
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❌ Common Mistakes
- I see this citation when providers have no written emergency procedures at all, or when their 'policy' is just a single sentence. The state wants to see detailed, step-by-step procedures that show you've thought through different emergency scenarios.
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- 🎯 "YOUR facility: 551 days overdue (longer than 0% of similar facilities)"
- 🚨 "HOT ZONE: 13 nearby facilities visited LAST WEEK"
- ⚠️ "URGENT: Prepare for inspection THIS WEEK (3 active risk factors)"
- 📍 "48 overdue facilities in 3-mile radius (cluster risk)"
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is Teacher-Child Ratio Requirements?
California regulation 101216.3(a) establishes the fundamental staffing requirement that one teacher must be visually observing and supervising no more than 12 children at any time. This means you need enough teachers present so that each teacher is responsible for watching no more than 12 children, and they must be able to see all the children they're supervising.
How common is this citation?
As of November 23, 2025, 23 facilities have been cited for teacher-child ratio violations in the past 90 days. This represents approximately 1 in 328 facilities inspected (0.30% of 7,551 facilities visited). Violations occurred across 10 counties, with Los Angeles County having the most citations (6), followed by Sacramento (4), and Orange (3).
What triggers this citation?
Inspectors cite this when they count more than 12 children per teacher present in the facility, when a teacher steps away without another teacher covering their group, or when children are in areas where teachers cannot see them. This happens during transitions like bathroom breaks, when one teacher is on lunch and no substitute covers, during drop-off/pick-up chaos, or when children are split between rooms without proper staffing. Inspectors will do head counts and verify teacher credentials on the spot.
How do I avoid this citation?
Always have enough qualified teachers on site to maintain the 1:12 ratio throughout the entire day. Build in overlap during shift changes so you're never short-staffed. Create a staffing plan that accounts for breaks, lunch, and unexpected absences. Use a daily attendance sheet that tracks children and staff present at all times. Position teachers so they can see all children in their assigned group - no blind spots. Have backup plans for when teachers call in sick, and never exceed capacity even if parents beg you to take 'just one more' child.
What should I do if I get cited?
Immediately adjust staffing to meet the 1:12 ratio - this may mean calling families to pick up children early if you're short-staffed. Review your daily schedules and staffing patterns to identify when ratio violations are most likely. Hire additional qualified teachers or reduce your licensed capacity to match available staff. Implement a real-time tracking system for child and staff counts. Submit a Plan of Correction explaining your new staffing procedures and backup plans, with schedules showing adequate coverage for all operating hours.