Plan your daily staffing schedule based on your state's ratio requirements. Add your classrooms, set operating hours, and see exactly how many staff you need per shift.
Select your state above to get started with ratio-based staff planning.
Choose your state for the correct ratio requirements, then set your center's opening and closing times and shift structure.
Name each classroom, select the age group it serves, and enter how many children are enrolled.
See a visual shift grid showing minimum staff per classroom per shift, plus totals for peak staffing and daily staff-hours.
Building weekly schedules: Before posting the schedule, run your classrooms through the calculator to confirm you have enough staff assigned to every shift. No more guessing whether you're covered.
Hiring decisions: See your total staffing requirement across all shifts. If you're adding a classroom or increasing enrollment, the calculator shows exactly how many new hires you need.
Handling call-outs: When a teacher calls in sick, quickly check which shifts are at minimum coverage so you know where to send your substitute or floater first.
Licensing preparation: Print or screenshot the coverage grid to demonstrate to licensing inspectors that your staffing plan meets state ratio requirements throughout the entire day.
Seedlist helps you manage your waitlist, forecast when spots will open, and contact families at exactly the right time. More seats filled means more revenue — without raising rates.
The ratio calculator tells you the minimum staff required for a single classroom at a single point in time. This coverage calculator goes further — it maps staffing across your entire day, across all classrooms, so you can plan shifts and see when you need the most people on the floor. Think of the ratio calculator as a snapshot and this tool as the full-day schedule.
Not automatically. When a staff member takes a break, your remaining staff still need to meet ratio requirements. The numbers shown are the minimum staff who must be actively supervising in each room at all times. Plan for at least one additional floater per shift to cover breaks, lunches, and unexpected absences.
Use the shift structure that best matches your staffing model. If your enrollment ramps up in the morning and tapers in the afternoon, the two-shift or three-shift structure will show you where peak demand falls. You can then adjust your opening and closing times or stagger staff start times to match the pattern.
A good rule of thumb is one floater for every 4-5 classrooms during peak hours. Floaters cover breaks, help during transitions (like nap setup), and step in when a teacher is absent. This calculator shows your minimum required staff — adding floaters on top of that keeps you safely in ratio all day.
Yes, but keep in mind that home daycares typically operate as a single mixed-age classroom. Add one classroom, select the age group that matches the youngest child in your care (since most states apply the youngest child's ratio to mixed-age groups), and enter your total enrollment. The coverage grid will show you how many caregivers you need throughout your operating hours.