ODJFS Child Care Center Rules (OAC 5101:2-12) Compliant

Ohio ChildcareLicensing Requirements

Stay compliant with Ohio ODJFS Child Care Center Rules (OAC 5101:2-12) regulations. Bloomily helps Ohio childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.

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Staff-to-Child Ratios

Required ratios for Ohio licensed childcare facilities

Age Group	Staff : Children	Max Group Size	Regulation
Infants (0-12 months) Under 12 months; ORC 5104.033 also permits 12:2 when two staff are in the room	1:5	12 children	Ohio Revised Code § 5104.033 (staff-to-child ratios, authoritative statute); Ohio Admin. Code § 5180:2-12-18 / formerly 5101:2-12-18 (Appendix A, eff. Oct 29, 2021; rule renumbered eff. Jan 2, 2025)
Young Toddlers (12-24 months) 12–17 months	1:6	12 children	Ohio Revised Code § 5104.033 (staff-to-child ratios, authoritative statute); Ohio Admin. Code § 5180:2-12-18 / formerly 5101:2-12-18 (Appendix A, eff. Oct 29, 2021; rule renumbered eff. Jan 2, 2025)
toddler 18–29 months	1:7	14 children	Ohio Revised Code § 5104.033 (staff-to-child ratios, authoritative statute); Ohio Admin. Code § 5180:2-12-18 / formerly 5101:2-12-18 (Appendix A, eff. Oct 29, 2021; rule renumbered eff. Jan 2, 2025)
two_year 30 months through 2 years (30–35 months)	1:8	16 children	Ohio Revised Code § 5104.033 (staff-to-child ratios, authoritative statute); Ohio Admin. Code § 5180:2-12-18 / formerly 5101:2-12-18 (Appendix A, eff. Oct 29, 2021; rule renumbered eff. Jan 2, 2025)
preschool_3 3-year-olds (36–47 months)	1:12	24 children	Ohio Revised Code § 5104.033 (staff-to-child ratios, authoritative statute); Ohio Admin. Code § 5180:2-12-18 / formerly 5101:2-12-18 (Appendix A, eff. Oct 29, 2021; rule renumbered eff. Jan 2, 2025)
preschool_4_5 4-year-olds and 5-year-olds who are not school children per ORC 5104.033(A); once K-eligible the child moves to school_age 18:1 band	1:14	28 children	Ohio Revised Code § 5104.033 (staff-to-child ratios, authoritative statute); Ohio Admin. Code § 5180:2-12-18 / formerly 5101:2-12-18 (Appendix A, eff. Oct 29, 2021; rule renumbered eff. Jan 2, 2025)
School Age (5+ years) Enrolled in or eligible for kindergarten or above, under 11 years old; ORC 5104.033(A)	1:18	36 children	Ohio Revised Code § 5104.033 (staff-to-child ratios, authoritative statute); Ohio Admin. Code § 5180:2-12-18 / formerly 5101:2-12-18 (Appendix A, eff. Oct 29, 2021; rule renumbered eff. Jan 2, 2025)
school_age_11plus 11 through 14 years old; upper licensed age 14 years = 168 months per ORC 5104.033(A)	1:20	40 children	Ohio Revised Code § 5104.033 (staff-to-child ratios, authoritative statute); Ohio Admin. Code § 5180:2-12-18 / formerly 5101:2-12-18 (Appendix A, eff. Oct 29, 2021; rule renumbered eff. Jan 2, 2025)

Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.

Required Certifications

Certifications required for Ohio childcare staff

Annual Training (6 hours)

Ohio required 6 hours annual in-service training per OAC 5101:2-12-29

Renew annuallyDocument required

Background Check (Ohio)

Ohio BCI and FBI fingerprint-based background check per OAC 5101:2-12-09

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Child Abuse Recognition (Ohio)

Training on child abuse recognition and prevention within 90 days of employment

Document required

Communicable Disease Training (Ohio)

Training on recognition and prevention of communicable disease within 90 days of employment

Document required

First Aid (Ohio)

First aid certification appropriate to age of children in care

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Mandated Reporter Training

California mandated reporter training for child abuse

Document required

Pediatric CPR (Ohio)

Infant and child CPR certification required per OAC 5101:2-12-28

Renew every 2 yearsDocument required

Pre-Service Training (Ohio)

Ohio pre-service training requirements including orientation within 30 days

Document required

Staff Medical Statement (Ohio)

Medical statement indicating staff member is free from communicable disease

Renew every 5 yearsDocument required

Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.

Emergency Drill Requirements

Required safety drills for Ohio childcare facilities

Required Drills

Fire Drill

Monthly

Monthly fire drills at varying times year-round; written documentation kept on-site

Ref: Ohio Admin. Code § 5180:2-12-16 / formerly 5101:2-12-16 (Emergency and health-related plans for a licensed child care center; renumbered eff. Jan 2, 2025)

Lockdown/Security

Quarterly

Once per calendar quarter; covers active shooter, bioterrorism, and terrorism threats; written documentation kept on-site

Ref: Ohio Admin. Code § 5180:2-12-16 / formerly 5101:2-12-16 (Emergency and health-related plans for a licensed child care center; renumbered eff. Jan 2, 2025)

Severe Weather

Monthly

Monthly weather drills March through September only (7 months); covers tornado, severe thunderstorm, flash flood, blizzard, ice storm; written documentation kept on-site

Ref: Ohio Admin. Code § 5180:2-12-16 / formerly 5101:2-12-16 (Emergency and health-related plans for a licensed child care center; renumbered eff. Jan 2, 2025)

Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.

Ohio Pre-Inspection Checklist

Based on ODJFS Child Care Center Rules (OAC 5101:2-12) requirements • 50 items • Generated from bloomily.app

Center Name: _________________________________ Date: _____________

Licensing

License displayed in prominent location

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-02

Capacity not exceeded

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-21

Operating within licensed hours

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-02

Written operational policies available

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-06

Parent handbook current and distributed

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-06

Physical Environment

Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-17

Outdoor play area adequate and safe

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-19

Temperature maintained (60-80°F)

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-17

Adequate lighting in all areas

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-17

Toilets clean and child-accessible

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-18

Handwashing facilities available

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-18

Drinking water readily accessible

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-18

Sleeping/napping equipment appropriate

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-20

Outdoor equipment safe and maintained

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-19

Fall zones with resilient surfacing

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-19

Health Practices

Daily health observation performed

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-35

Handwashing procedures followed

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-35

Diapering area sanitized properly

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-35

Medications stored locked and inaccessible

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-36

First aid supplies stocked and accessible

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-28

Illness exclusion policy enforced

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-35

Safe sleep practices followed (infants)

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-20

Safety Practices

Fire extinguishers inspected annually

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-22

Smoke detectors working

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-22

Emergency exits marked and unobstructed

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-22

Fire drills conducted monthly

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-22

Tornado drills monthly (March-July)

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-22

Lockdown drills semi-annually

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-22

Evacuation drill annually

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-22

Drill records documented properly

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-22

Serious incident plan posted

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-22

Hazardous materials stored safely

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-19

Staff Requirements

BCI/FBI background check current for all staff

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-09

Director meets qualification requirements

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-08

CPR certification current

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-28

First Aid certification current

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-28

Staff-to-child ratios maintained

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-21

Annual training completed (6 hours)

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-29

Communicable disease training completed

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-29

Child abuse recognition training completed

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-29

Staff medical statement on file

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-10

Child Records

Enrollment forms complete

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-07

Emergency contact information current

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-07

Immunization records on file

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-07

Child Medical Statement (JFS 01305) on file

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-07

Pickup authorization documented

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-07

Allergy/special needs documented

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-07

Attendance records maintained

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-07

Supervision

Children supervised at all times

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-21

Sign-in/out procedures followed

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-07

This checklist is provided for reference only. Always verify requirements with your state licensing agency.

Pre-Inspection Checklist

50 items based on Ohio ODJFS Child Care Center Rules (OAC 5101:2-12) requirements

Licensing(5)Physical Environment(10)Health Practices(7)Safety Practices(10)Staff Requirements(9)Child Records(7)Supervision(2)

License displayed in prominent location

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-02

Licensing

Capacity not exceeded

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-21

Licensing

Operating within licensed hours

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-02

Licensing

Written operational policies available

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-06

Licensing

Parent handbook current and distributed

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-06

Licensing

Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-17

Physical Environment

Outdoor play area adequate and safe

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-19

Physical Environment

Temperature maintained (60-80°F)

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-17

Physical Environment

Adequate lighting in all areas

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-17

Physical Environment

Toilets clean and child-accessible

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-18

Physical Environment

Handwashing facilities available

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-18

Physical Environment

Drinking water readily accessible

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-18

Physical Environment

Sleeping/napping equipment appropriate

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-20

Physical Environment

Outdoor equipment safe and maintained

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-19

Physical Environment

Fall zones with resilient surfacing

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-19

Physical Environment

Daily health observation performed

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-35

Health Practices

Handwashing procedures followed

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-35

Health Practices

Diapering area sanitized properly

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-35

Health Practices

Medications stored locked and inaccessible

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-36

Health Practices

First aid supplies stocked and accessible

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-28

Health Practices

Illness exclusion policy enforced

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-35

Health Practices

Safe sleep practices followed (infants)

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-20

Health Practices

Fire extinguishers inspected annually

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-22

Safety Practices

Smoke detectors working

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-22

Safety Practices

Emergency exits marked and unobstructed

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-22

Safety Practices

Fire drills conducted monthly

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-22

Safety Practices

Tornado drills monthly (March-July)

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-22

Safety Practices

Lockdown drills semi-annually

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-22

Safety Practices

Evacuation drill annually

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-22

Safety Practices

Drill records documented properly

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-22

Safety Practices

Serious incident plan posted

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-22

Safety Practices

Hazardous materials stored safely

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-19

Safety Practices

BCI/FBI background check current for all staff

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-09

Staff Requirements

Director meets qualification requirements

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-08

Staff Requirements

CPR certification current

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-28

Staff Requirements

First Aid certification current

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-28

Staff Requirements

Staff-to-child ratios maintained

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-21

Staff Requirements

Annual training completed (6 hours)

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-29

Staff Requirements

Communicable disease training completed

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-29

Staff Requirements

Child abuse recognition training completed

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-29

Staff Requirements

Staff medical statement on file

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-10

Staff Requirements

Enrollment forms complete

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-07

Child Records

Emergency contact information current

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-07

Child Records

Immunization records on file

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-07

Child Records

Child Medical Statement (JFS 01305) on file

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-07

Child Records

Pickup authorization documented

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-07

Child Records

Allergy/special needs documented

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-07

Child Records

Attendance records maintained

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-07

Child Records

Children supervised at all times

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-21

Supervision

Sign-in/out procedures followed

Ref: OAC 5101:2-12-07

Supervision

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Ohio compliance and operations resources

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Nearby State Requirements

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Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.

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