Ohio Daycare Self-Inspection Checklist (Printable)

Recent and upcoming changes

New regulator and new rule numbers OAC 5180:2-12, 5180:2-13; ORC 5104.02 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care House Bill 33 (135th General Assembly) created the Ohio Department of Children and Youth.
Type B: no more than 7 children, no more than 3 under age 2 (your own children under 6 count) ORC 5104.01 (H.B. 96, 136th G.A.) Group child care homes · Family child care
MMR and Tdap records (or exemption) within 30 days; centers: TB screening attestation before day one OAC 5180:2-12-08, 5180:2-13-08 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Children's annual medical statement dropped OAC 5180:2-12-15, 5180:2-13-15 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care The yearly child medical statement is gone.
Point values for violations OAC 5180:2-12-03, 5180:2-13-03 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Each moderate-risk violation now carries 3 points and each serious-risk violation 6 points.
No trampolines, ball pits or bounce houses; screens off at meals OAC 5180:2-12-12, 5180:2-12-22, 5180:2-13-22, 5180:2-12-07, 5180:2-12-08 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Rules review course for new home providers OAC 5180:2-13-07 Group child care homes · Family child care A family child care provider or Type A administrator named on a license on or after July 1, 2026 must finish DCY's rules review course within a year and every five years after that.

Who needs a license, and from whom

Child care center: 7 or more children outside a home ORC 5104.01(L); ORC 5104.02(A) Centers Any place that is not the permanent residence of the licensee or administrator where care is provided for seven or more children at one time is a child care center and needs a DCY license.
Type A family child care home: 8 to 14 children ORC 5104.01(XX); OAC 5180:2-13-01 Group child care homes Care in the administrator's permanent residence for 8 to 14 children at one time, or 4 to 14 if four or more are under 2.
Type B family child care home: 1 to 7 children ORC 5104.01(YY); OAC 5180:2-13-01 Family child care Care in the provider's permanent residence for one to seven children at one time, with no more than three under 2.
Programs exempt from licensing ORC 5104.02(B) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Exempt programs include care that runs two consecutive weeks or less and no more than six weeks a year; child care at a place of worship while parents attend services; lessons and activities (sports, music, tutoring) a…
Applying for a center license OAC 5180:2-12-02 Centers The owner completes an Ohio Professional Registry profile and DCY's pre-licensing training (taken within the past five years), files online in the Ohio statewide licensing system with a $50 fee, and requests background…
Provisional, then continuous license ORC 5104.03; OAC 5180:2-12-06 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care A new center or home gets a provisional license, valid for at least 12 months and until a continuous license is issued.

Staff-to-child ratios

Ratios: <12 mo 1:5 or 2:12 (12); 12-18 mo 1:6 (12); 18 mo-2.5 yr 1:7 (14); 2.5-3 yr 1:8 (16); 3 yr 1:12 (24); 4+ pre-K 1:14 (28); K-10 yr 1:18 (36); 11-14 yr 1:20 (40); chart posted OAC 5180:2-12-18, Appendix A Centers
Combined groups use the youngest child's ratio; a second adult in the building with 7+ children OAC 5180:2-12-18(A)(3), (B) Centers
Nap-time ratio OAC 5180:2-12-20(A)(7) Centers The ratio may be doubled for no more than two hours at nap time, and only if every child in the group is on a cot or mat, no infants are in the group, and enough staff are in the building to restore the normal ratio.
Home: max 7 children per caregiver, max 3 under age 2 (own children under 6 count) OAC 5180:2-13-18 Group child care homes · Family child care
School-based preschool ratios OAC 5180-37-04 Centers Preschools run by school districts and other school-based programs follow a similar table: under 12 months 1:5 or 2:12 (group of 12); 12 to 18 months 1:6 (12); 18 to 30 months 1:7 (14); 30 months to 3 years 1:8 (16); 3…

Group size and capacity

Permanent groups and shared space OAC 5180:2-12-18(A)(4)-(7), (C) Centers Each child is assigned to a permanent group within the maximum group size, chosen with the parent.
Space per child OAC 5180:2-12-11(A)-(B) Centers At least 35 square feet of usable indoor floor space per child (bathrooms, halls and storage don't count, with exceptions for centers licensed since before September 1986) and at least 60 square feet of outdoor play…

Administrator and staff qualifications

Center administrator OAC 5180:2-12-07, Appendix A Centers A high school diploma plus one of twelve options, for example an associate degree in early childhood or a related field, a prekindergarten associate license, an Ohio administrator credential, four early childhood…
Staff 16+ with high school education (or approved HS program); orientation within 30 days OAC 5180:2-12-08(D)-(E) Centers
Family child care provider OAC 5180:2-13-07 Group child care homes · Family child care The provider must be at least 18, live in the home, meet the education or training requirements in Appendix B to the rule (and, for Type B homes licensed after April 1, 2003, have a high school education), and not hold…
Whistleblower protection OAC 5180:2-12-08(F) Centers An employer may not fire, demote, suspend or otherwise retaliate against staff for a good-faith complaint to DCY, for taking part in a licensing proceeding, or for refusing to do something that violates the child care…

Background checks

Background check approved before day one; renewed every 5 years OAC 5180:2-12-09(A)-(F) Centers
No contact before preliminary approval OAC 5180:2-12-09(I) Centers Until DCY sends preliminary approval, a new hire may not do assigned duties, be near children or have access to them.
Every adult living in the home checked; new adult or 18th birthday within 10 business days OAC 5180:2-13-09 Group child care homes · Family child care
Who is disqualified OAC 5180:2-12-09(H) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care A conviction for an offense listed in ORC 109.572(A)(5) disqualifies a person unless they meet the rehabilitation standards in the rule's appendix (sealed records still count; a pardon or set-aside conviction does not).

Training, CPR and first aid

First aid/CPR within 90 days; child abuse training within 60 days; trained person in each building at all times OAC 5180:2-12-10(A) Centers
6 hours of professional development per July-June year OAC 5180:2-12-10(B) Centers
Family child care training OAC 5180:2-13-10 Group child care homes · Family child care Providers need current first aid, CPR, communicable disease and child abuse prevention training before licensing.

Supervision, health and safety

Working phone plus backup communication; staff outside with children at all times OAC 5180:2-12-19(A) Centers
Supervision in homes OAC 5180:2-13-19 Group child care homes · Family child care Children must be within sight or hearing of the provider or staff at all times, with the same situational awareness and backup-phone requirements as centers.
Incident report to parent same day; serious incidents reported to DCY by next business day OAC 5180:2-12-16(E)-(G) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Reporting abuse and neglect OAC 5180:2-12-19(D); ORC 2151.421 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Owners, administrators and staff who suspect a child has been abused or neglected must report immediately to the county public children services agency (or police).
Illness and communicable disease OAC 5180:2-12-16(D) Centers A child with symptoms on DCY's list is isolated and sent home.
Parents may visit at any time ORC 5104.039 Centers A custodial parent, custodian or guardian of an enrolled child has unlimited access to the center during operating hours to see their child, evaluate the care or inspect the premises, subject to any parenting-time order…

Facility, furniture, equipment and hazards

Broken furniture or toys removed; heaters approved and guarded; mats under indoor climbers OAC 5180:2-12-12(A) Centers
Chemicals locked and labeled; outlet covers; tools and mowers inaccessible; weapons sign posted; 65°F minimum OAC 5180:2-12-12(B) Centers
Play yard fenced, gates latched; daily hazard check; 6-ft fall zones with cushioned surfacing OAC 5180:2-12-11(B)-(E) Centers
Stair gates wall-mounted, no accordion gates; CO detector in basement and each care level; weapons locked OAC 5180:2-13-12 Group child care homes · Family child care
Pools at family child care homes OAC 5180:2-13-24 Group child care homes · Family child care A pool on the premises must be fenced or otherwise blocked off so children in care can't get to the water; a locked house door isn't enough.

Emergency plans, drills and fire safety

Fire drill monthly; weather drill monthly Mar-Sep; lockdown drill quarterly; drill records on site OAC 5180:2-12-16(A); 5180:2-13-16 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
EPRP updated yearly and staff trained annually OAC 5180:2-12-16(H) Centers
First aid kits OAC 5180:2-12-16(B) Centers One complete kit per 75 children, plus one on each floor and in each building, kept unlocked and out of children's reach, and taken on trips.
Fire inspection less than 12 months old, no open violations OAC 5180:2-12-04 Centers

Medication

Parent permission and dose log for every medication; first dose given at home; stored out of reach OAC 5180:2-12-25; 5180:2-13-25 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Health care plan on file for each chronic condition; trained staff present whenever the child is OAC 5180:2-12-15(D) Centers

Immunizations and health records

Immunization record within 30 days; updated every 13 months OAC 5180:2-12-15(B)-(C); ORC 5104.014 Centers
Enrollment form on file by day one; reviewed and initialed yearly OAC 5180:2-12-15(A) Centers
Staff TB screening and vaccines OAC 5180:2-12-08(A)-(B); ORC 5104.037 Centers Before the first day every employee signs a TB screening statement; a two-step skin test or blood test is required only if they lived in a country with a high TB burden and arrived in the U.S. within five years.

Food and nutrition

Weekly menu posted and followed; food every 4 hours; water available; screens off at meals OAC 5180:2-12-22; 5180:2-13-22 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Daily infant report: food, sleep, diapers, activities OAC 5180:2-12-23 Centers

Safe sleep

Infants on back in own crib; no blankets or bumpers under 12 months; cribs 2 ft apart; no sleeping in swings or car seats OAC 5180:2-12-20(B)-(C) Centers
Nap areas, cots and moving out of the crib OAC 5180:2-12-20(A), (D)-(E) Centers Nap areas stay lit enough to see every child, and exits stay clear.
Sleep in family child care homes OAC 5180:2-13-20 Group child care homes · Family child care Homes may use cribs or playpens for infants and assign beds, couches, cots or mats to older children.

Discipline and behavior management

No corporal punishment, restraint, confinement or withholding food; separation max 1 minute per year of age OAC 5180:2-12-19(C), Appendix A Centers
Behavior plans and expulsions OAC 5180:2-12-19(C)(2)-(3) Centers A specific behavior management plan for a child is written, consistent with the rules, and signed by the parent before it is used.

Records and postings

Policies, parent information and OPR OAC 5180:2-12-07(B)-(C) Centers The administrator keeps written policies (Appendix B: enrollment, security, arrival and departure, supervision, guidance, illness, medication, emergencies, transportation, sleep, social media and more) and gives them to…
Child records OAC 5180:2-12-15(E)-(F) Centers Child records are confidential but open to DCY.

Attendance, sign-in and release of children

Arrival/departure times to the minute; kept 1 year at the center; group tracking list with names and birth dates travels with the group OAC 5180:2-12-18(F) Centers
Home attendance records OAC 5180:2-13-18(C) Group child care homes · Family child care The same items, in dated written or electronic form, kept at the home for one year, plus a group tracking list.
Release only to parent or parent-approved person OAC 5180:2-12-19(A)(4), (B)(2) Centers

Transportation and field trips

Trip permission on file; ID on each child; vehicle checked for children after every trip OAC 5180:2-12-14(A)-(B) Centers
Monthly vehicle exit drill; weekly vehicle check; annual safety inspection OAC 5180:2-12-14(C)-(E) Centers
Transportation for homes OAC 5180:2-13-14 Group child care homes · Family child care Family child care homes follow a parallel rule: signed parent permission for trips (kept a year), ratios at the destination, drivers at least 18 and licensed, and a check after every trip that no child has been left on…

Inspections and enforcement

Inspection schedule OAC 5180:2-12-03(A)-(B); ORC 5104.04 Centers Centers get an inspection before the provisional license, two during the provisional year, and at least one each state fiscal year after that, plus complaint investigations; at least one is unannounced.
Home inspection schedule OAC 5180:2-13-03 Group child care homes · Family child care Family child care homes get an inspection before licensing, two during the provisional year, and then at least one in each half of the state fiscal year, at least one unannounced.
Corrective action plan submitted on time; parents notified within 15 business days of any serious-risk finding OAC 5180:2-12-03(C)-(E); ORC 5104.043 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Revocation and suspension OAC 5180:2-12-05; ORC 5104.03(F) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care DCY may deny or revoke for rule violations, ineligible owners, missing documents, refusing entry or false statements.
Operating without a license ORC 5104.04(F)-(G); ORC 5104.99 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care DCY investigates unlicensed centers and Type A homes and refers them to the Attorney General or local prosecutor.

Disputing a finding and appeals

Dispute a finding within 10 business days OAC 5180:2-12-03(G) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Adjudication hearings OAC 5180:2-12-05(F), (I); ORC 5104.03(G) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Denial of a license, revocation, a capacity different from what was requested, denial of a continuous license and suspension can be appealed through a hearing under ORC Chapter 119, and then to court under ORC 119.12.
Appealing a background check decision OAC 5180:2-12-09(I)(3) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care A person found ineligible may file a DCY 01178 request for review within 14 business days of the DCY 01177 notice.

Ohio daycare self-inspection checklist

Recent and upcoming changes

Who needs a license, and from whom

Staff-to-child ratios

Group size and capacity

Administrator and staff qualifications

Background checks

Training, CPR and first aid

Supervision, health and safety

Facility, furniture, equipment and hazards

Emergency plans, drills and fire safety

Medication

Immunizations and health records

Food and nutrition

Safe sleep

Discipline and behavior management

Records and postings

Attendance, sign-in and release of children

Transportation and field trips

Inspections and enforcement

Disputing a finding and appeals

Email me when Ohio's rules change