Best Daycares in Richland County, Ohio

Browse all 73 licensed daycares in Richland County, Ohio. Compare program type, SUTQ status, and key details to find childcare that fits your family.

29
Gold SUTQ
40% of programs
5
Silver SUTQ
7% of programs
13
Bronze SUTQ
18% of programs
26
Not Rated
36% of programs

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Gold Rated

Assembly Of God Preschool & Day Care (Dba:m1 Kids Academy)

Mansfield•1000 Mc Pherson St

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

Billheimer, Becky J

Shelby•2933 Springmill N Rd

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Bronze Rated

Blessings On Blessings Childcare

Mansfield•612 Burns Street

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Bronze Rated

Brook, Marcella M

Bellville•102 King Road

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Bronze Rated

Cameron, Elleena

Mansfield•1195 Yorkwood Rd

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Not Rated

Canada, Melissa S

Mansfield•1609 Spring Village Lane

Licensed Type B Family Child Care HomePFCC
Silver Rated

Carpenter Center @ The YMCA

Mansfield•71 Carpenter Road

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Gold Rated

Childtime Children'S Centers INC

Mansfield•145 N Trimble Rd

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

Clear Fork Christian Preschool

Butler•115 Main Street

Licensed Child Care Center
Gold Rated

Clear Fork Valley Preschool

Butler•125 College St

Licensed School-Based Preschool
Gold Rated

Clover Hill Early Learning Center

Ontario•2986 Park Ave. W.

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

Clover Hill Early Learning Center Allen, LLC

Ontario•347 Allen Dr

Licensed Child Care CenterPFCC
Not Rated

Craddolph, Tawana R (Ms. Tee'S Childcare)

Mansfield•525 Forest Street

Licensed Type B Family Child Care Home
Not Rated

Discovery

Mansfield•855 Millsboro Rd

Licensed School-Based PreschoolPFCC

Common Questions About Richland County Child Care

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

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

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