How to start a home daycare in Ohio.
Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) oversees home daycares in Ohio. These are the kinds it allows and the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 3, 2026.
The kinds of home daycare Ohio allows
Type A family child care home
8 to 14 children at one time
Care takes place in the home where the administrator lives.
Source: Section 5104.01 | Child care definitions.Type B family child care home
Up to 7 children at one time
Care takes place in your own home, with no more than 3 children under age 2.
Source: Section 5104.01 | Child care definitions.
Starting a home daycare in Ohio, step by step
Create your OPR profile
Make a profile in the Ohio Professional Registry, called the OPR.
Source: FCC Home Licensing-Getting Started (DCY 01310)Take the family child care pre-licensing training
Take the family child care pre-licensing training in the OPR. Take it within five years before you apply.
Source: Rule 5180:2-13-02 | Application and amendments for a family child care provider license.Apply in OCLQS
Apply for your license online in the Ohio Child Licensing and Quality System, called OCLQS.
Source: FCC Home Licensing-Getting Started (DCY 01310)Request your background check
Request your background check in the OPR. You also give fingerprints for Ohio BCI and the FBI.
Source: Background ChecksDraw a site plan
Send a labeled plan of the indoor space for children. Add the outdoor play space if it is on site.
Source: Rule 5180:2-13-02 | Application and amendments for a family child care provider license.Type A homes: get zoning approval
A Type A home also needs written zoning approval.
Source: Rule 5180:2-13-02 | Application and amendments for a family child care provider license.Pass the pre-licensing inspection
A licensing specialist from your county job and family services agency inspects your home.
Source: FCC Home Licensing-Getting Started (DCY 01310)
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY). Licenses Type A and Type B family child care homes.Source: FCC Home Licensing-Getting Started (DCY 01310)
- Background checks
- Also every adult 18 or older who lives in your homeSource: Background Checks
- Education
- Proof that you finished high schoolSource: Rule 5180:2-13-02 | Application and amendments for a family child care provider license.
- Second adult in a Type A home
- Needed for more than 7 children, or more than 3 under age 2Source: Section 5104.01 | Child care definitions.
- First year
- At least two county inspectionsSource: FCC Home Licensing-Getting Started (DCY 01310)
- Rules for homes
- Ohio Administrative Code, Chapter 5180:2-13Source: FCC Home Licensing-Getting Started (DCY 01310)
Good to know
- No one may run a child care center or a Type A home without a license.Source: Section 5104.02 | License required.
- In a Type B home, your own children under 6 who live there count toward the total.Source: Become a Provider
- Your county agency recommends your home's application to DCY for approval.Source: FCC Home Licensing-Getting Started (DCY 01310)
- Local zoning treats a Type B home as a residential use of the property.Source: Section 5104.054 | Zoning for type B family child care home.
- Programs paid with public child care funds need a Step Up To Quality rating, unless exempt.Source: Become a Provider
Run a program in Ohio? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a daycare in Ohio
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- Ohio licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Daycare business plan
How to write a plan for funding and licensing.
- Tuition calculator
Typical rates by state and age group.
- Ratio calculator
Staff needed for each age group, by state.
Questions, answered
How do I start a home daycare in Ohio?
The first step: Create your OPR profile. All 7 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in Ohio?
Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY). Licenses Type A and Type B family child care homes.
How many children can a home daycare in Ohio care for?
Type A family child care home: 8 to 14 children at one time. Type B family child care home: Up to 7 children at one time.
About this page
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 3, 2026.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
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