Oregon Childcare Licensing
Oregon Childcare Square Footage Requirements (2026)
Indoor activity space is a measured Oregon licensing requirement: a center's licensed capacity is capped by the usable indoor square footage available per child. A Certified Child Care Center must have a minimum of 35 square feet of indoor activity space per child, excluding single-use areas such as kitchens, hallways, restrooms, storage areas, closets, and staff rooms, and must provide outdoor activity space of no less than 75 square feet for each child using the space at one time (OAR 414-305-0800(5)-(6)). Registered Family Child Care homes have no per-child square-footage standard; instead all floors used for child care must have two usable exits to the outdoors (OAR 414-210-0810(4),(6)).
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamOregon Square Footage Requirements: The Specifics
A Certified Child Care Center must have a minimum of 35 square feet of indoor activity space per child, excluding single-use areas such as kitchens, hallways, restrooms, storage areas, closets, and staff rooms, and must provide outdoor activity space of no less than 75 square feet for each child using the space at one time (OAR 414-305-0800(5)-(6)).
OAR 414-305-0800(5)-(6)
Registered Family Child Care homes have no per-child square-footage standard
OAR 414-210-0810(4),(6)
instead all floors used for child care must have two usable exits to the outdoors (OAR 414-210-0810(4),(6)).
OAR 414-210-0810(4),(6)
A Registered Family Child Care home may care for a maximum of 10 children total (this count includes the provider's own or foster children age 9 years or younger), of whom no more than 6 may be preschool age or younger and only 2 of those may be under 24 months of age
this count includes the provider's own or foster children age 9 years or younger
no child younger than 6 weeks of age, other than the provider's own child, may be in care (OAR 414-210-0400(1)-(2),(4)).
OAR 414-210-0400(1)-(2),(4)
Oregon's Registered Family Child Care rules do not authorize a higher capacity for adding an assistant.
OAR 414-210-0400(1)-(2),(4)
Oregon sets maximum group sizes for Certified Child Care Centers in Table 3A (centers initially licensed after July 15, 2001): 8 children for ages 6 weeks-24 months, 10 for 24-36 months, 20 for 36 months to school-age, and 30 for school-age
centers initially licensed after July 15, 2001
a center may exceed maximum group size only on field trips, outdoor play, planned large-group activities, napping, and eating (OAR 414-305-0400(6) and Table 3A
6
exceptions at 414-305-0400(7)(c)).
c
Registered Family Child Care homes have no separate group-size cap beyond the 10-child total capacity.
OAR 414-305-0400(6) and Table 3A
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Oregon Square Footage Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
How much indoor space per child does Oregon require?
A Certified Child Care Center must have a minimum of 35 square feet of indoor activity space per child, excluding single-use areas such as kitchens, hallways, restrooms, storage areas, closets, and staff rooms, and must provide outdoor activity space of no less than 75 square feet for each child using the space at one time (OAR 414-305-0800(5)-(6)). Registered Family Child Care homes have no per-child square-footage standard; instead all floors used for child care must have two usable exits to the outdoors (OAR 414-210-0810(4),(6)).
Does Oregon require outdoor play space too?
A Certified Child Care Center must have a minimum of 35 square feet of indoor activity space per child, excluding single-use areas such as kitchens, hallways, restrooms, storage areas, closets, and staff rooms, and must provide outdoor activity space of no less than 75 square feet for each child using the space at one time (OAR 414-305-0800(5)-(6)). Registered Family Child Care homes have no per-child square-footage standard; instead all floors used for child care must have two usable exits to the outdoors (OAR 414-210-0810(4),(6)).
What space is excluded when calculating capacity in Oregon?
Most states exclude hallways, bathrooms, kitchens, offices, and storage from the usable indoor activity space used to compute capacity. Confirm the exact exclusions in the cited Oregon rule above.
Oregon childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Oregon administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Oregon Department of Early Learning and Care (DELC), Child Care Licensing Division (CCLD) — formerly the Office of Child Care / Early Learning Division before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.