Best Daycares in Franklin County, Ohio

Browse all 1,134 licensed daycares in Franklin County, Ohio. Compare program type, SUTQ status, and key details to find childcare that fits your family.

296
Gold SUTQ
26% of programs
53
Silver SUTQ
5% of programs
320
Bronze SUTQ
28% of programs
465
Not Rated
41% of programs

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Bronze Rated

1ST Choice Child Care

Columbus•4303 Cleveland Ave

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Bronze Rated

A Better Choice Childcare

Columbus•2572 Cleveland

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Gold Rated

A Better Choice Daycare & Learning Center

Columbus•2960 E. Dublin Granville Rd

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

A Blessed Child Learning Academy

Columbus•3870 E. Livingston Ave

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Bronze Rated

A Child'S Journey Learning Center

Whitehall•846 S. Yearling Rd

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Silver Rated

A Child'S Place Learning Center

Reynoldsburg•2010 Officeview Place

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Bronze Rated

A Childs World

Canal Winchester•6140 Barclay Ct

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Not Rated

A Grandmothers Love Child Care

Columbus•3333 Westerville Woods Dr

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Bronze Rated

A Joyful Journey Academy

Columbus•1536 Barnett Road

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Bronze Rated

A Little Piece Of Heaven Learning Center LLC

Columbus•771 Harrisburg Pike

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

A Love For Children, LLC

Columbus•4656 Heaton Road

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

A Place To Grow Academy

Dublin•6760 Discovery Blvd

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Bronze Rated

A Step In The Right Direction Literacy Learning Center

Columbus•5817 Beechcroft Rd

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

A&b Child Care And Learning Center, LLC

Columbus•4818 Indianola Ave

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC

Common Questions About Franklin County Child Care

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

Does "Not Rated" SUTQ mean a daycare in Franklin 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 Franklin 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 Franklin County?

Infant care (children under 12 months) is the hardest age group to place — demand consistently outpaces supply across Ohio, including Franklin 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 Franklin 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 Franklin 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.