Ohio childcare licensing requirements.
Ratios, group sizes, certifications, and drills for Ohio — per ODJFS Child Care Center Rules (OAC 5101:2-12). Bloomily tracks every one of them live, so the paperwork is ready before anyone asks.
Staff-to-child ratios in Ohio
| Age group | Ratio | Max group size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (0-12 months) | 1:5 | 12 |
| Young Toddlers (12-24 months) | 1:6 | 12 |
| toddler | 1:7 | 14 |
| two_year | 1:8 | 16 |
| preschool_3 | 1:12 | 24 |
| preschool_4_5 | 1:14 | 28 |
| School Age (5+ years) | 1:18 | 36 |
| school_age_11plus | 1:20 | 40 |
Per ODJFS Child Care Center Rules (OAC 5101:2-12). Ratios in Bloomily are computed live from real check-ins against these limits.
Required certifications
Ohio required 6 hours annual in-service training per OAC 5101:2-12-29
Renews every 12 months
Ohio BCI and FBI fingerprint-based background check per OAC 5101:2-12-09
Renews every 60 months
Training on child abuse recognition and prevention within 90 days of employment
Training on recognition and prevention of communicable disease within 90 days of employment
First aid certification appropriate to age of children in care
Renews every 24 months
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Infant and child CPR certification required per OAC 5101:2-12-28
Renews every 24 months
Ohio pre-service training requirements including orientation within 30 days
Medical statement indicating staff member is free from communicable disease
Renews every 60 months
Drill requirements
| Drill | Frequency | Required |
|---|---|---|
| fire | monthly | Yes |
| lockdown | quarterly | Yes |
| severe_weather | monthly | Yes |
Ohio ODJFS Pre-Inspection Checklist
- License displayed in prominent location
- Capacity not exceeded
- Operating within licensed hours
- Written operational policies available
- Parent handbook current and distributed
- Indoor space meets minimum (35 sq ft per child)
- Outdoor play area adequate and safe
- Temperature maintained (60-80°F)
- Adequate lighting in all areas
- Toilets clean and child-accessible
- Handwashing facilities available
- Drinking water readily accessible
Run a Ohio program? Keep it compliant without the binder.
Ratios computed live from real check-ins, certifications flagged before they lapse, and inspection-ready reports one click away.