More Info

A licensed program can provide a parent and child with regulated, quality care through state and federal requirements monitored by ODJFS for compliance. This can include healthy and safety, staff Professional Development training, CPR, First Aid, background checks, and additional monitoring inspections, as needed. In addition, children can receive additional early learning supports through the participation of licensed programs in Ohio’s 5-star Quality Rating and Improvement System, Step Up To Quality.
Step Up To Quality recognizes learning and development programs that exceed licensing health and safety standards, family and community engagement, health promotion, staff professional development, and child development standards. An unlicensed program is a program that is not monitored by any entity and is not required to meet any standards of safety, health, staffing, or early learning.

The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) licenses Ohio Early Learning and Development programs and helps parents who are working or in school pay for childcare through the Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) program. ODJFS licensed programs are defined by Ohio Law as "child day care": 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 childcare must be regulated in Ohio; other types of childcare may operate without a license*. Licensed programs are inspected prior to and after receiving a license verify compliance with state and federal requirements. In addition, programs will also be investigated in response to complaints received through ODJFS. Parents can search the ODJFS Search for Early Learning and Development Programs page for care by county, city, zip code, program type, quality, and self-reported program specific information. The license child care center and Type A Home programs within the search provide program information, licensure details, and ODJFS inspection results.