Ohio child care licensing, inspections and Step Up To Quality, explained

Types of licensed programs

• Licensed child care center: a center-based program, often serving infants through school age.
• Licensed school-based preschool: a preschool run in a school setting (public districts and some private schools).
• Licensed Type A family child care home: care in a provider's home, licensed by the state. On this site we show only the city for home programs to protect providers' privacy. The full record is on the state site.

The Ohio Child Care Search also lists Type B homes, school-age-only programs, day camps and in-home aides, which this site doesn't cover yet (Ohio Child Care Search (definitions of PFCC, OPP, CCVP, Head Start, SUTQ)).

How often are programs inspected?

Ohio law requires the Department of Children and Youth to inspect each center, Type A home and licensed Type B home at least once every twelve months of operation. Inspections may be unannounced (Ohio Revised Code 5104.04 (inspections of centers and family child care homes)).

• Child care centers with a continuous license: at least one full unannounced inspection each state fiscal year. A second inspection is required if the program builds up certain levels of non-compliance (Ohio DCY: Inspection Protocol; Ohio Admin. Code 5180:2-12-03 (child care center inspections)).
• Centers with a provisional (first-year) license: at least two full inspections, at least one unannounced (Ohio DCY: Inspection Protocol).
• Family child care programs: at least two full inspections, at least one unannounced (Ohio DCY: Inspection Protocol).
• Complaints are also investigated (Ohio Admin. Code 5180:2-12-03 (child care center inspections)).

Reading inspection reports

Each program's state record has a "Current Inspections" link. Findings are grouped by risk level ("serious risk," "moderate risk" and other non-compliances), and the inspection protocol uses these to decide when extra inspections are needed (Ohio DCY: Inspection Protocol). One finding doesn't mean a program is unsafe. Look at what was found, whether it was corrected, and whether issues repeat.

Step Up To Quality: Bronze, Silver, Gold

Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) is Ohio's three-level rating system for licensed programs that go beyond minimum health and safety rules (Ohio DCY: Step Up To Quality requirement summaries). On July 7, 2024 Ohio switched from 1–5 stars to three levels: 1 and 2 stars became Bronze, 3 stars became Silver, and 4 and 5 stars became Gold (Ohio DCY Update: OCLQS release notes (SUTQ rating conversion, July 2024)).

Ratings last until they change, and the state checks them with full on-site visits: every other year for Bronze programs and every three years for Silver and Gold programs (Ohio Admin. Code 5180:2-17-03 (SUTQ rating awards and verification visits)).

Why some programs are rated and others aren't

Any licensed program may register for a rating (Ohio Admin. Code 5180:2-17-02 (who may register for SUTQ)). It becomes required mainly for programs that take Publicly Funded Child Care. The state says: "All PFCC programs must be Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) rated unless they meet an exemption" (Ohio DCY: Publicly Funded Child Care (for providers)). Ohio law has required this since July 1, 2020 (Ohio Revised Code 5104.31 (eligible PFCC providers)).

Exemptions include all Type A and Type B family child care homes, centers and licensed preschools where publicly funded children make up less than 25% of licensed capacity, programs with a provisional (first-year) license, and summer-only, school-break-only or evening/weekend-only programs (Ohio Admin. Code 5180:2-16-09 (PFCC provider eligibility and SUTQ exemptions); Ohio DCY: PFCC SUTQ exemption scenarios). The state notes that "FCC programs are not required to participate in SUTQ" (Ohio DCY: PFCC SUTQ exemption scenarios). Programs with a license in revocation, a suspended license or an active enforcement status can't register for a rating (Ohio Admin. Code 5180:2-17-02 (who may register for SUTQ)).

So "Not rated" doesn't mean a program is worse. It may simply not be required to take part, may be new, or may have chosen not to register. It is still licensed and inspected. Check its inspection reports and ask questions on a tour.

Reporting a concern

Cuyahoga County advises calling the Child Care Policy Help Desk at 877-302-2347, option 4, if you suspect a provider is breaking licensing rules (Cuyahoga County: Child Care Assistance Programs). If a child is in danger, call 911.