Find the Best Daycares
in Ohio.

Ohio child care costs are among the highest in the nation. According to data from the Economic Policy Institute (updated February 2025):

• Average annual cost of infant care in Ohio: $17,071 — approximately $1,423/month
• Average annual cost for a 4-year-old: $13,426 — approximately $1,119/month
• Ohio ranks as the 16th most expensive state for infant care in the U.S.
• Infant care in Ohio costs 53.7% more per year than in-state college tuition

Costs vary by provider type and location. Home-based Type B providers are typically less expensive than licensed Child Care Centers. Urban areas like Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati tend to run higher than rural communities.

Ohio offers a free SUTQ Cost Estimator that estimates child care costs by SUTQ rating level and county. If cost is a barrier, Ohio's Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) program may help eligible families — contact your county Department of Job and Family Services to apply.

Source: Economic Policy Institute — Child Care Costs in the United States (Ohio)

Ohio licenses, registers, or certifies seven distinct child care provider types:

Ohio Parent Hub lists all seven types. Use the program type filter to find the setting that fits your family.

Source: Ohio Department of Children and Youth — Child Care for Families

Yes. Every provider listed on Ohio Parent Hub is sourced from Ohio's official state licensing database maintained by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY). Operating a child care program in Ohio without a license or registration is illegal in virtually all circumstances.

All providers must pass initial inspections covering health and safety, staffing ratios, background checks, and physical environment — and are subject to ongoing compliance reviews to maintain their license.

To verify a provider's current license status and view inspection history, visit Ohio's Child Care Search directly.

Source: Ohio Department of Children and Youth — Child Care Search

SUTQ stands for Step Up To Quality, Ohio's voluntary tiered quality rating and improvement system administered by the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. It recognizes licensed providers that go above baseline licensing requirements.

Not Rated means the provider hasn't enrolled in the voluntary SUTQ program — not that they're unlicensed or unsafe. Use the free SUTQ Cost Estimator to compare costs by rating level in your county.

Source: Ohio DCY — Step Up To Quality | OAC 5101:2-17-01 (PDF)

PFCC (Publicly Funded Child Care) is an Ohio program that helps eligible families afford licensed child care using federal Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) money combined with state funds, distributed through the Ohio Department of Children and Youth.

When a listing shows a PFCC Agreement, it means that provider has a signed agreement to accept PFCC reimbursements as payment. If your family qualifies for assistance, you can use that benefit at any provider holding a PFCC Agreement.

Eligibility is based on family income, work or school participation, and other factors. To apply, contact your county Department of Job and Family Services — each county administers the program locally.

Source: Ohio DCY — Publicly Funded Child Care