Rhode Island Childcare Licensing
Rhode Island Childcare Square Footage Requirements (2026)
Indoor activity space is a measured Rhode Island licensing requirement: a center's licensed capacity is capped by the usable indoor square footage available per child. Rhode Island requires thirty-five (35) square feet of usable indoor floor space per child (forty-five (45) sq ft per child for infant/toddler classrooms in centers), plus at least seventy-five (75) square feet of usable outdoor space per child for at least fifty percent (50%) of licensed capacity at centers (218-RICR-70-00-2.3.1(F)(1); 218-RICR-70-00-1.8(F)(5)-(6) and 1.8(G)(1)(a)).
Licensing Agency
Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Child Care, Child Care Licensing Unit →Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamRhode Island Square Footage Requirements: The Specifics
Rhode Island requires thirty-five (35) square feet of usable indoor floor space per child (forty-five (45) sq ft per child for infant/toddler classrooms in centers), plus at least seventy-five (75) square feet of usable outdoor space per child for at least fifty percent (50%) of licensed capacity at centers (218-RICR-70-00-2.3.1(F)(1)
1
A Family Child Care Home provider working alone may care for no more than six (6) children with no more than two (2) under eighteen (18) months
18
with one assistant the limit rises to eight (8) children with no more than four (4) under eighteen (18) months.
18
A Group Family Child Care Home may serve up to twelve (12) children with one assistant (max 4 under 18 months) or twelve (12) with two assistants (max 8 under 18 months) (218-RICR-70-00-2.3.4(B)
B
Rhode Island sets maximum group sizes for Child Care Centers by age band: younger infants (6 weeks–12 months) 8
6 weeks–12 months
older infants (12–18 months) 8
12–18 months
toddlers (18–36 months) 12
18–36 months
preschool 5–6 years (not in kindergarten) 24 (218-RICR-70-00-1.11(B)(1)).
218-RICR-70-00-1.11(B)(1)
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Rhode Island Square Footage Requirements: Frequently Asked Questions
How much indoor space per child does Rhode Island require?
Rhode Island requires thirty-five (35) square feet of usable indoor floor space per child (forty-five (45) sq ft per child for infant/toddler classrooms in centers), plus at least seventy-five (75) square feet of usable outdoor space per child for at least fifty percent (50%) of licensed capacity at centers (218-RICR-70-00-2.3.1(F)(1); 218-RICR-70-00-1.8(F)(5)-(6) and 1.8(G)(1)(a)).
Does Rhode Island require outdoor play space too?
Rhode Island requires thirty-five (35) square feet of usable indoor floor space per child (forty-five (45) sq ft per child for infant/toddler classrooms in centers), plus at least seventy-five (75) square feet of usable outdoor space per child for at least fifty percent (50%) of licensed capacity at centers (218-RICR-70-00-2.3.1(F)(1); 218-RICR-70-00-1.8(F)(5)-(6) and 1.8(G)(1)(a)).
What space is excluded when calculating capacity in Rhode Island?
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 Rhode Island rule above.
Rhode Island childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Rhode Island administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Rhode Island Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Child Care, Child Care Licensing Unit before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.