Ohio Childcare Licensing Requirements

Ohio childcare centers must include 13 mandatory sections in parent handbooks per Ohio Administrative Code §5101:2-12-23.

Licensing Agency

Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Bureau of Child Care and Development →

Last updated: April 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Required Handbook Sections

The following sections must appear in every Ohio childcare parent handbook per state licensing rules.

Section	Description	Citation	Status
Hours of Operation	Days and hours the facility is open; holiday closures; late pick-up policy.	Ohio Administrative Code §5101:2-12-23	Required
Behavior Guidance and Discipline Policy	Positive guidance techniques used; prohibited discipline methods; progressive steps.	Ohio Administrative Code §5101:2-12-16	Required
Illness and Exclusion Policy	Symptoms requiring exclusion; readmission criteria; communicable disease procedures.	Ohio Administrative Code §5101:2-12-23(D)	Required
Medication Administration Policy	Procedures for administering prescription and non-prescription medications; authorization requirements.	Ohio Administrative Code §5101:2-12-27	Required
Emergency Procedures	Fire, severe weather, lockdown, and medical emergency procedures; evacuation routes.	Ohio Administrative Code §5101:2-12-29	Required
Arrival and Departure Procedures	Sign-in/sign-out requirements; authorized pick-up persons; late pick-up fees.	Ohio Administrative Code §5101:2-12-23(B)	Required
Nutrition and Meals Policy	Meals and snacks provided; food allergy procedures; outside food policy.	Ohio Administrative Code §5101:2-12-24	Required
Parent Communication Policy	Daily report procedures; how to reach staff; parent conference schedule.	Ohio Administrative Code §5101:2-12-23(A)	Required
Grievance and Complaint Procedure	Steps for resolving concerns; contact for unresolved complaints.	Ohio Administrative Code §5101:2-12-23(C)	Required
Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting	Mandatory reporter obligations; reporting procedures; state hotline.	Ohio Revised Code §2151.421; OAC §5101:2-12-15	Required
Enrollment, Fees, and Payment Policy	Enrollment process; tuition rates; payment schedule; refund policy.	Ohio Administrative Code §5101:2-12-23(E)	Required
Health and Safety Policies	Handwashing procedures; diapering; sunscreen; rest time policies.	Ohio Administrative Code §5101:2-12-26	Required
Nondiscrimination Policy	Statement of equal access; protected classes covered.	Ohio Revised Code §4112.02; OAC §5101:2-12-01	Required
Transportation Policy	Vehicle safety requirements; car seat policy; authorization procedures.	Ohio Administrative Code §5101:2-12-38	Recommended
Field Trip Policy	Authorization requirements; supervision ratios during off-site activities.	Ohio Administrative Code §5101:2-12-39	Recommended

Staff-to-Child Ratios

Ohio mandates the following maximum staff-to-child ratios by age group.

Age Group	Staff-to-Child Ratio
Infant (0-12 months)	1:5
Toddler (12-24 months)	1:6
Toddler (24-30 months)	1:7
Preschool (30 months-3 years)	1:12
Preschool (4-5 years)	1:14
School Age (6+ years)	1:18

Immunization Requirements

DTaP
Polio
MMR
Varicella
Hib
Hepatitis B
Hepatitis A
Pneumococcal

Background Check Requirements

Ohio Bureau of Criminal Identification check
FBI background check
CANTS (SACWIS) check

Inspection Frequency

Annual inspection; unannounced visits; complaint investigations

Penalties for Non-Compliance

Fines up to $500/day; license revocation under Ohio Revised Code §5104.05

Generate a Ohio-Compliant Handbook

TotReady generates a fully compliant parent handbook for your Ohio childcare center in minutes — with every required section, your branding, and regulatory citations included.

Generate a Ohio-Compliant Handbook for $29

Frequently Asked Questions

How many sections must be in a Ohio childcare parent handbook?

Ohio childcare centers are required to include at least 13 mandatory sections in their parent handbooks per state licensing regulations enforced by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Bureau of Child Care and Development.

Who oversees childcare licensing in Ohio?

Childcare licensing in Ohio is regulated by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Bureau of Child Care and Development. You can find official licensing information at https://jfs.ohio.gov/childcare/licensing.

What happens if a Ohio childcare center doesn't have a compliant handbook?

Non-compliance with Ohio parent handbook requirements can result in: Fines up to $500/day; license revocation under Ohio Revised Code §5104.05

How often are Ohio childcare centers inspected?

Ohio childcare centers are subject to the following inspection schedule: Annual inspection; unannounced visits; complaint investigations