Best Daycares in Clinton County, Ohio

Browse all 18 licensed daycares in Clinton County, Ohio. Compare program type, SUTQ status, and key details to find childcare that fits your family.

6
Gold SUTQ
33% of programs
4
Bronze SUTQ
22% of programs
8
Not Rated
44% of programs

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Not Rated

Adeyinka Adigun

Wilmington•862 Fife Avenue

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Not Rated

Bright Acres Learning Academy

Blanchester•912 Cherry Street

Licensed Child Care Center
Bronze Rated

Clinton - Massie Prime Time

Clarksville•2556 Lebanon Rd

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Bronze Rated

Clinton County Early Learning Center

Wilmington•1600 Alex Dr.

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Gold Rated

Clinton-Massie Elementary School

Clarksville•2380 Lebanon Rd

Licensed School-Based Preschool
Gold Rated

Erdman Center For Early Learning

Wilmington•789 N. Nelson Avenue

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

Erdman Early Learning Center Site B

Wilmington•717 N. Nelson Ave.

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

Gina'S Kids Care LLC

Wilmington•5248 State Route 730

Licensed Type A Family Child Care Home
Bronze Rated

Happy Hearts Daycare

Martinsville•96 W Main St

Licensed Type A Family Child Care HomePFCC
Bronze Rated

Little Hands Daycare

Martinsville•Box 68 - 608 Locust Street

Licensed Type A Family Child Care HomePFCC
Gold Rated

New Vienna Elementary School

New Vienna•301 E Church St

Licensed School-Based Preschool
Gold Rated

Putman Elementary School

Blanchester•327 E Baldwin St

Licensed School-Based Preschool
Gold Rated

Roy E Holmes Elementary School

Wilmington•1350 W Truesdell St

Licensed School-Based Preschool
Gold Rated

Sabina Elementary School

Sabina•246 W Washington St

Licensed School-Based Preschool
Not Rated

Sonshine Christian School

Wilmington•909 W Locust Street

Licensed Child Care Center

Common Questions About Clinton County Child Care

Helpful answers for families searching for daycares in Clinton County, Ohio.

Does "Not Rated" SUTQ mean a daycare in Clinton County is low quality?

No. “Not Rated” means the provider has not enrolled in Ohio's voluntary Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) program — it does not indicate a safety concern, a licensing problem, or substandard care.

Every provider in Clinton County on this page already complies with Ohio's mandatory baseline licensing requirements: background checks for all staff, health and safety inspections, required staff-to-child ratios, and annual continuing education. SUTQ is an optional, additional layer of quality recognition.

When evaluating a “Not Rated” provider, review their inspection history on Ohio's Child Care Search, visit in person, and ask about staff qualifications and curriculum.

Source: Ohio Administrative Code 5101:2-17-01 (PDF)

How do I find infant care in Clinton County?

Infant care (children under 12 months) is the hardest age group to place — demand consistently outpaces supply across Ohio, including Clinton County. Starting your search several months early is strongly recommended.

When you contact a provider, ask specifically:

  • Do you have openings in the infant room for a child under 12 months?
  • What is your infant-to-caregiver ratio? (Ohio licensing requires a maximum of 1:5 for licensed centers)
  • How do you ensure safe sleep? (Backs on a firm surface — crib or pack-and-play — no loose bedding)
  • Are feeding and nap schedules based on each baby's individual needs? (On-demand is best practice)
  • Is there a waitlist? How far in advance should I apply?

Source: Ohio Revised Code 5104.033 | Child Care Aware of America — Short Notice Checklist

What should I ask when I visit or call a daycare?

Before you commit, here are the most important questions to cover — by phone or in person:

Logistics first

  • Do you have space for my child starting on [date]?
  • What are your rates and fees? Do you accept Ohio's PFCC subsidy?
  • What are your hours, holiday closures, and inclement weather policies?

Licensing and safety

  • Is your license current? When was your most recent inspection — were any concerns found?
  • Do all adults complete background checks before spending time with children?
  • Are providers certified in infant/child CPR and First Aid?

Quality and daily life

  • What would a typical day look like for my child?
  • How do providers interact with children throughout the day?
  • How do you handle guidance and discipline at my child's age?

For the full checklist including age-specific questions for infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-agers, see our FAQ page.

Source: Child Care Aware of America — Short Notice Checklist

What if I can't find openings in Clinton County?

Ohio Parent Hub does not collect real-time seat availability — openings must be confirmed directly with each provider. If you're not finding what you need in Clinton County:

  1. Browse nearby cities — Use our cities directory to find providers in adjacent communities
  2. Call, don't email — A direct call is faster and signals genuine interest to providers with informal waitlists
  3. Ask about waitlists — Many high-quality centers maintain them; getting on one early is often the best long-term strategy
  4. Check adjacent counties — Browse our county directory for providers just across county lines

For the most current availability, also check Ohio's Child Care Search which sometimes includes real-time enrollment status.

More questions? Visit our full FAQ page.