How to Get Licensing to Open a Daycare in Toledo, Ohio

Day care centers and day care homes must be properly licensed in Toledo, Ohio.

In Toledo, Ohio, you must first decide on the type of day care you want to license as forms and requirements differ. There are two agencies in Ohio that license at-home day cares and day care centers. The Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) licenses centers that are not located in public or charter schools, and it also licenses at-home day cares.

The Ohio Department of Education (ODE) licenses centers located in public or charter schools, educational service centers and boards of developmental disabilities. There are two categories: birth to 5 (not in kindergarten) and 5 to 14.

Things You'll Need

• For day cares licensed by ODJFS:
• ODJFS Childcare Center Manual
• ODJFS Electronic Manuals Help Guide
• Application fee
• For daycares licensed by ODE:
• Initial ODE daycare license application

Instructions

Forms and Inspections

1. 

   Parents trust that the state of Ohio regulates day cares.

   Download the Child Care Manual and schedule health and fire inspections for the facility. Read through the area of the manual that is relevant to the type of day care that will be licensed. The four categories of ODJFS licensing includes: day care centers with seven or more children; school-age centers with seven or more children of school age; type A day care homes with four to 12 children; type B day care homes (unlicensed) with one to six children; and type B licensed day care homes with more than six children. Fill out all necessary forms that are required for the correct category of childcare. The needed forms can be found in the manual. Visit the city of Toledo website for resources for health and fire inspections. (http://www.ci.toledo.oh.us/Residents/PermitsForms/tabid/55/Default.aspx)

2. 

   All paperwork must be carefully filled out.

   Hire an administrator to complete the licensing process, if the owner will not be acting as administrator. Complete criminal records check and communicable disease tests. Any staff hired at the time of application must complete a criminal records check. If hiring occurs after licensing, staff members must pass a background check prior to beginning work.

3. 

   One of the many safety items is fire safety.

   Schedule and participate in a day care application interview with ODJFS. Contact Toledo child care licensing field office for detailed information: Toledo Field Office, 1684 Woodlands Dr. Suite 200, Maumee, Ohio 43537.

4. 

   Criminal records checks must be completed.

   Fill out the Application for Child Care License (form JFS 01210) and send to the ODFJS along with the required fee of $100. This form can be found in the ODJFS Child Care Manuals that can be downloaded online.

Ohio Department of Education Licensing

1. Submit an initial application form by contacting the Office of Early Learning and School Readiness (OEL&SR) licensing team at [e-mail] or call 614-466-0224. Schedule initial review.

2. Schedule health, safety and fire inspections. Find contact information on the city of Toledo website. Complete background checks and communicable disease tests for all staff.

3. Conduct required in-service training on First Aid, prevention, recognition and management of communicable diseases, child abuse recognition and prevention, and CPR. Detailed information can be found on the ODE website and includes agencies authorized to conduct specific in-services.

4. Prepare site for ODE inspection. Detailed information, including a site inspection checklist, can be found on the ODE website.

Tips & Warnings

• Create a clear plan of action that includes a checklist after reading through the requirements dealing with the type of day care you are planning to open.

• Visit day care centers and talk to other day care providers about the process.

References

• Ohio Department of Job & Family Svcs.: Child Care in Ohio
• Ohio Department of Education Learning Supports: Licensing for Preschool Programs and School-Age Child Care (SACC)
• Ohio.gove: Department of Job & Family Services: Resources for Providers
• Ohio Department of Education: Rules and Regulations for Preschool Programs and School Age Childcare
• Child Care Licensing Field Offices Supervisor Contact List

Resources

• Ohio Department of Job & Family Svcs.: ODJFS Electronic Manuals Help Guide
• Ohio Department of Job & Family Svcs.: Childcare Center Manuals
• Ohio Job & Family Svcs.: Childcare Manual Appendix
• National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC): Accreditation
• National Association of Childcare Professionals