Daycare Center Staff Requirements in Ohio
Daycare centers provide a supervised alternative for working parents who need quality care for their preschool age children. Each daycare center requirements usually are enforced by a licensing agency. In Ohio, daycare centers must be licensed by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services: Bureau of Child Care and Development. This agency gives each daycare center standardized operating procedures, including staff requirements. Ohio daycare centers must meet specific requirements regarding the staff-to-child ratio as well as the educational training of its staff members.
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Staff-to-Child Ratio Requirements
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Daycare centers in Ohio are expected to adhere to specific staff-to-child ratios. These ratios are designed to maximize appropriate supervision, minimize harm to children and ensure a healthy and safe environment. According to the Lawriter website, the staff-to-child ratios are specific for ages. For birth to 11 months the ratio is 1:5. The ratio for one year to 17 months is 1:6. For toddlers, 18 to 29 months, the ratio is 1:7 followed by a 1:8 ratio for 30 to 35 months. The ratio makes a significant increase as children reach 3 years of age and older. The ratio for 3 year olds is 1:12, while 4 and 5 year olds are supervised at a 1:14 ratio. The ratio for school age children 6 to 11 years old is 1:18. Teens through the age of 14 only require a 1:20 ratio.
Educational and Training Background Requirements
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Ohio requires its daycare center staff members to be 18 years of age and have a high school diploma or equivalent. There are exceptions to this rule as described in the Ohio code. Exceptions include students younger than the required age who are currently enrolled in the second year of a two year training or vocational program. The code also exempts daycare workers hired before 1972 who have been continuously employed at the same facility. Additionally, staff must successfully pass a health screening upon hire and complete an orientation within 30 days of hire. The orientation is required to include specific instruction on topics such as supervising children, parent policies, first aid, reading medicine labels, communicable diseases, diapering, attendance, hand washing, field trips and swimming.
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Additional Considerations
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With an increased focus on education, technology and early childhood development, some daycare center employers have requested staff members to hold an Associate's Degree in Early Childhood Education, according to the U.S. Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. A degree, along with experience in child nutrition, growth and development and health training, serve as advancement tools for prospective staff members at daycare centers in Ohio and across the nation.
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