What is
Covered by the Licensing Law In Ohio?
Ohio Law defines "child day care" as
administering to the needs of children outside of
school hours by persons other than their parents or guardians on a
less than twenty four hour basis. Some types of child care must be
regulated in Ohio; other types of child care may operate without a
license.
What must be regulated?
In Brief: Homes
and centers caring for more than 6 children must be licensed by the
state. Family child care homes caring for 6 or fewer children (Type
B homes) are not regulated. Type B home providers may choose to be
certified through their county Department of Jobs and Family
Services, but it is not required unless they are receiving payment
through public funds. Homes caring for more than 6 children must be
state licensed
Centers
Seven or more children of any age. Centers must be licensed.
The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services licenses over
3500 child care centers which care for over 215,000 children
each day.
|
Adult/Child Ratios |
|
|
Age of children
|
Staff/child ratio
|
|
Infants (birth and under 12 months)
|
1 to 5 or 2 to 12 in same room
|
|
Infants (12 months and under 18 months)
|
1 to 6 |
|
Toddlers (18 months and under 2 1/2
years) |
1 to 7 |
|
Toddlers (2 1/2 years and under 3 years)
|
1 to 8 |
|
Preschool - three years |
1 to 12 |
|
Preschool - four and five years of age
|
1 to 14 |
|
School age - kindergarten to 11
|
1 to 18 |
|
School age - 11 years through 14 years
|
1 to 20 |
|
Type A Homes
Seven to twelve children (or four to twelve children if four
children are under two years of age) cared for in the
provider's personal residence. The provider's own children
under six years of age must be included in the total count.
Type A homes must be licensed. |
Type B homes
One to six children cared for in the provider's personal
residence. No more than three children may be under two years
of age. The provider's own children under six years of age
must be included in the total count. Anyone can operate a Type
B Home without a license. However, care for more than 6
children requires a license. Type B homes must be certified by
the county department of Job and Family Services if the child
care is paid for with public funds. |
Schoolage centers
Seven or more children aged
kindergarten and above. Schoolage centers must be licensed. |
Child day camps
Program which operates for less than seven hours a day and
only during the vacation of the public schools, cared only for
schoolage children, and which is at least 50% outdoor based.
Child day camps must register with the department each year.
If child care is paid for with public funds, the camp must
also meet American Camping Association Accreditation
standards, or be approved by the Ohio Department of Job and
Family Services. |
Some examples of programs which do not
require licensure:
- care provided in a child's own home;
- programs which operate two weeks or less a
year;
- programs where parents remain on the premises
(unless at the parent's employment site);
- specialized training in specific subjects, such
as art, drama, dance, swimming, etc.
- programs which operate one day a week for no
more than six hours.
Programs licensed by other agencies:
Ohio Department of Education (ODE) Centers -
In Ohio, the Department of Education
licenses child care programs operated by public and private
chartered schools, and Head Start programs.
Rules and regulations
Ohio's child care regulations consist of basic requirements designed
to prevent harm to children's health, safety and development. The
regulations cover the following areas:
| License/Approvals |
Staff Requirements |
Staffing/Grouping |
| Space Requirements |
Program Equipment |
Policies/Procedures |
| Safety/Discipline |
Health Program |
Children's Records |
| Nutrition |
Handwashing/Diapers |
Infant Care |
Ohio's child care centers are inspected prior to
receiving a license, and after license issuance - once a year (for
part time centers) or twice a year (for full time centers) - to be
sure they continue to meet the requirements. Centers will also be
investigated in response to complaints. Ohio's child care centers
must post their license in a conspicuous place where parents can see
it. They must also post copies of inspection reports for parent's
review.
Child
Care in Ohio -
Ohio Department of Job and Family Services Child Care
Web Page
Child Care Manual - Ohio child care regulations
Standards above and beyond licensing:
Visit these web sites for more information about standards above
and beyond licensing:
National
Association for the Education of Young Children
has a voluntary accreditation program for child care centers who
wish to meet quality standards that go above and beyond basic
licensing requirements. Ohio has 182 accredited child care centers.
See individual center listings for more details.
National Association for Family Child Care
has a voluntary accreditation program for type B family day care
homes. Visit their web site for more information about their
organization and its services to family day care providers.
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