What Texas Parents Need to Know About Mixed-Age Daycare Rooms

When it comes to choosing a daycare, safety is always the top priority. One question we hear from Texas parents all the time is:

“Is it okay for my child to be in a daycare room with children of different ages?”

The short answer: We don’t recommend it.

Here’s why mixed-age daycare groups can be dangerous and how to protect your child when choosing a facility.

The Risks of Mixing Age Groups in Daycare

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 47 out of 50 states, including Texas, allow daycares to combine children of different age groups into the same classroom. While this may seem convenient for some facilities, it comes with serious safety and developmental concerns.

1. Increased Risk of Injuries

Children develop at different rates, and younger kids, especially infants and toddlers, are more physically vulnerable to daycare injuries than older, more active children. In a mixed-age group, even harmless roughhousing or fast-paced play can result in injuries to younger children who aren’t as steady on their feet or aware of boundaries.

2. Developmental Mismatches

Each age group needs different types of care, activities, and supervision. A one-size-fits-all approach doesn’t work when you’re dealing with everything from infants to preschoolers in one room. Activities meant for older children can be too difficult, or even dangerous, for younger ones. And the simpler activities suited for toddlers can leave older kids bored or acting out.

3. Toys That Become Hazards

Age-appropriate toys are critical in daycare settings. A toy that’s safe and fun for a 4-year-old might be a choking hazard for a baby. In mixed-age environments, it becomes harder for caregivers to keep unsafe toys away from younger children, increasing the chance of accidents.

What Texas Regulations Say About Mixed-Age Daycares

In Texas, the Department of Family and Protective Services (DFPS) sets clear regulations to protect children in licensed daycares. One of the most important rules relates to child-to-caregiver ratios, which vary depending on the child’s age. For example:

  • Infants (0–11 months): 1 caregiver for every 4 children

  • Toddlers (12–17 months): 1 caregiver for every 5 children

  • Preschoolers (3 years): 1 caregiver for every 15 children

These ratios are designed to ensure adequate supervision. However, when age groups are mixed, following these standards becomes harder, especially if a room includes both infants and preschoolers.

Texas also requires daycare activities and environments to be developmentally appropriate. In practice, this means each child should have access to age-specific activities, toys, and routines. Mixed-age settings make it extremely difficult to meet these requirements.

What This Means for Your Family

At The Button Law Firm, we’ve helped families whose children were injured due to unsafe daycare practices, including situations where children were placed in mixed-age groups. Based on our experience, we believe the risks of this practice outweigh any benefits.

So, when you’re evaluating a daycare, make sure to ask:

  • Are children grouped by age?

  • How do caregivers ensure that each child’s developmental needs are met?

  • What kinds of toys and activities are used in each room?

Keeping your child in an age-appropriate classroom is one of the best ways to support their growth and protect them from harm.

If Your Child Was Hurt in a Mixed-Age Daycare

If your child was injured in a daycare that combines age groups, you may have legal options. Our team at The Button Law Firm is here to help you understand your rights and take action if a daycare failed to protect your child.

Not ready to reach out yet? We’ve created a free, 5-step guide for parents on what to do after a daycare injury. It’s linked below.

At The Button Law Firm, we’re committed to holding unsafe daycares accountable and helping families move forward with confidence. You can give us a call at (214) 699-4409 or email us at intake@buttonlawfirm.com.