Frequently Asked Questions

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 (DCY). It recognizes licensed child care programs that go above and beyond baseline licensing requirements to deliver higher-quality early learning experiences.

SUTQ has three levels — each building on the one below — spanning four quality areas: curriculum and child assessment, developmental screening, staff qualifications and professional development, and family and community partnerships.

Not Rated simply means the provider hasn't enrolled in the voluntary SUTQ program — not that they're unlicensed or unsafe.

Ohio also offers a free SUTQ Cost Estimator that estimates child care costs by SUTQ rating level and county — useful for comparing what higher-rated care might cost in your area.

Source: Ohio Admin Code 5101:2-17-01 (PDF) | Appendix A (PDF) | Ohio DCY — Step Up To Quality

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.

Ohio law requires licensure for any facility serving seven or more children, or four or more unrelated children in a home setting. 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, view inspection history, and check for any violations or complaints, visit Ohio's Child Care Search directly.

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

Ohio licenses, registers, or certifies seven distinct child care provider types. Here's what each one means:

Ohio Parent Hub lists all seven types. Use the program type filter on any city or county page to narrow results to the setting that fits your family.

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

Use the city search pages on Ohio Parent Hub to browse all licensed providers in your area. Each city page lists every licensed center and home provider, along with program type and SUTQ rating.

When you contact a provider, ask specifically:

• Do you have openings in the infant room (children under 12 months)?
• What is your infant-to-caregiver ratio? (Ohio licensing requires a maximum of 1:5 for centers)
• Is there a waitlist, and how far in advance should I apply?

Infant care is often the hardest age group to place. Starting your search early — ideally several months before you need care — is strongly recommended.

Source: Ohio Revised Code 5104.033 | Ohio Administrative Code 5180:2-12-18

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

Every provider listed on Ohio Parent Hub must already comply with Ohio's mandatory baseline licensing requirements regardless of SUTQ status: background checks for all staff, health and safety inspections, required staff-to-child ratios, and annual continuing education obligations.

SUTQ is an optional, additional layer of quality recognition. Many excellent, long-tenured providers choose not to participate due to the administrative demands of the process. 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) (SUTQ is explicitly a voluntary program)

Ohio's Department of Children and Youth maintains its licensing database on a rolling basis, updating records as licensing actions occur — including new licenses, renewals, inspections, violations, and closures.

Ohio Parent Hub sources its data from that state licensing database and periodically refreshes its records. Because licensing status can change between our update cycles, we always recommend verifying a provider's current status directly through Ohio's Child Care Search before making any enrollment decision. That tool reflects the most current state records and includes recent inspection results.

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

Choosing a child care provider is one of the most consequential decisions you'll make for your child. Here's a structured checklist — adapted from Child Care Aware of America — to guide your phone interview or in-person visit.

Trust your instincts during any in-person visit — a quality program will welcome your questions, feel organized and warm, and show genuine engagement between staff and children.

Source: Child Care Aware of America — Choosing Quality Child Care on Short Notice (checklist)

PFCC stands for Publicly Funded Child Care, 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 on Ohio Parent Hub shows a PFCC Agreement, it means that provider has a signed agreement with their county Department of Job and Family Services to accept PFCC reimbursements as payment. In practical terms: if your family qualifies for child care financial assistance, you can use that benefit at any provider who holds 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

Use the location search at the top of any page on Ohio Parent Hub — enter your city or ZIP code to see all licensed providers nearby, with ratings, program types, and contact information.

Because Ohio Parent Hub does not collect real-time seat availability from providers, the fastest path to confirming openings is:

1. Use our city or county pages to identify nearby licensed providers
2. Call or email providers directly and ask about current availability for your child's age group
3. Ask about waitlists — many high-quality centers maintain them, and getting on a list early is often the best strategy, especially for infants
4. Expand your search radius — nearby cities often have available providers you wouldn't otherwise find

If cost is a concern, also ask whether the provider accepts PFCC (Publicly Funded Child Care), which can significantly expand your affordable options.

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

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, location, and hours of care. 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 Parent Hub does not collect individual pricing from providers — tuition is set independently by each program and changes regularly. Contact providers directly using the information on their listing pages for current rates.

Ohio offers a free SUTQ Cost Estimator that estimates child care costs by SUTQ rating level and county — a useful starting point for understanding what to budget in your area.

If cost is a barrier, Ohio's Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) program may help eligible families offset expenses. Contact your county Department of Job and Family Services to apply.

Source: Economic Policy Institute — Child Care Costs in the United States (Ohio) (data updated February 2025)