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Child Care Licensing, Health & Safety

Action for Children

Provides free information on childcare and early development for parents and caregivers; foster parent training, and professional support for childcare providers. Parent & Youth ambassadors offer free 1:1 care navigation services to help families with service referrals, benefit navigation, and more. They offer year-round parenting classes for parents with kids of all ages throughout Central Ohio, information about choosing quality childcare, and resources for co-parenting. Help Me Grow and SPARK Kindergarten Readiness programs offer free home-visiting services are available for parents who are pregnant or have a child up to 4 years old. FatherUp offers free support for dads navigating the child support system, co-parenting, employment, or other challenges.
78 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 224-0222
Checklist for Choosing Childcare: cap4kids.org/columbus/files/2018/09/5C-checklist.pdf
Childcare Finder: actionforchildren.org/parents-guardians/choosing-child-care
Parent Learning Website: afclearning.org
Main Website: actionforchildren.org

American Red Cross Central & Southern Ohio Region

Provides shelter, food, healthcare, and mental health services for victims of disaster; disaster preparedness and lifesaving skills training; blood drives, and specialized services for members of the military and veterans. The Central & Southern Ohio Region includes Cincinnati, Columbus, and Dayton.

24/7 Disaster Services: (800) 733-2767
Central Ohio Chapter: 995 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43205
(614) 253-2740
redcross.org/local/ohio/central-and-southern-ohio/about-us/locations.html

Child Care Aware

Provides information on how to find high quality child care, child care regulations, and more. The website has a state-by-state resource map to help you find child care providers, financial assistance programs, and other resources in your area. Call the Information and Referral Center during business hours for live help and referrals to programs near you. They also provide resources on starting and operating a successful child care business.
National Child Care Information and Referral Center: (800) 424-2246
childcareaware.org/state/ohio

Childcare Training Ohio (CTO)

Provides health and safety training for the community and for childcare employees. They offer online, blended, and group trainings in English and Spanish. Courses include CPR, first aid, wilderness first aid, bloodborne pathogens, babysitter safety, and child abuse prevention. Trainings have been approved by Ohio Department of Education, Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, and OSHA. Fees vary but are minimal. Visit the website to register.
(614) 721-7222
childcaretrainingohio.com

Children’s Hunger Alliance (CHA)

Works with schools, community organizations, and child care providers throughout Ohio to increase participation in USDA child nutrition programs. They provide technical assistance to child care providers to help implement programs serving nutritious food. Contact their office for help finding childcare centers and meal programs; including after-school, weekend, and summer programs that offer free food for kids.
Columbus: 1105 Schrock Road, Columbus, Ohio 43229
Cincinnati: 3600 Park 42 Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45241
Cleveland: 2800 Euclid Avenue, Cleveland, Ohio 44115
Toledo: 1715 Indian Wood Circle, Maumee, Ohio 43537
(614) 341-7700
childrenshungeralliance.org

COAD4Kids

A free childcare resource and referral agency serving families of all income levels within the 31 counties of Ohio in the Appalachian region. They have a list of childcare programs, including Head Start programs, public pre-schools, childcare centers, school age programs, and infant care programs. Use the online database or call for help finding childcare. The website also has resources for childcare providers. COAD4kids is part of a statewide network of childcare resource and referral agencies, so if you live outside the service area call to be directed to an agency near you. The COAD parent organization provides additional services such as home weatherization and help for seniors, for those in their Southeast Ohio service area.
P.O. Box 787, Athens, Ohio 45701
(800) 577-2276
coad4kids.org

Educational Service Center of Central Ohio (ESCCO)

Provides professional development for schools and direct student services to improve student learning. Services include technical assistance and professional training for educators, school districts, after school programs, and community organizations. Their office oversees alternative education programs, interpreter services, experiential learning opportunities, supports for students experiencing homelessness, supports for students with disabilities, workforce development programs, gifted programs, and more. Visit the website for a full list of programs and registration details.
2080 Citygate Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43219
(614) 445-3750
escco.org/Services.aspx

Handouts & Links for Parents with Children in Child Care

Click the links below for helpful information and printable information sheets.

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Provides a national, voluntary accreditation program for childcare providers who wish to meet quality standards that go above and beyond basic licensing requirements. They offer professional development resources such as publications and online education for purchase. The website also has free educational resources for families on topics including behavior and development, school readiness, and more.
(202) 232-8777 or (800) 424-2460
For Families: naeyc.org/our-work/families/browse-by-topic
Main Website: naeyc.org

Ohio Child Care Resource & Referral Association (OCCRRA)

Provides professional development and technical assistance for local childcare, early learning, and out of school time programs. Families can contact the organization for referrals and help finding childcare and early learning programs.
2469 Stelzer Road, Columbus, Ohio 43219
(614) 396-5959
occrra.org/families

Ohio Department of Children and Youth

Childcare centers in Ohio are overseen by the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Ohio Department of Children and Youth. Visit the website for information on Ohio programs that help with childcare, parenting, or pregnancy. The website includes general information on parenting and education, including information on early childhood development, foster and kinship care, infant safety, and more. Programs include cash assistance, home visiting programs, and kindergarten readiness programs. The Child Care Choice Program Voucher helps families pay for childcare if their gross monthly income is between 146-200% of the Federal Poverty Level. The website also has helpful tools for finding a childcare provider.
P.O. Box 183204, Columbus, Ohio 43218
Family & Customer Support: 1-844-234-5437
childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/for-families

Ohio Department of Education & Workforce (ODEW) Food & Nutrition

This website offers important information for families and professionals about state food and nutrition programs. Find guidelines and application details for child and adult day care food programs, the national school lunch program, and summer food programs.
(614) 466-2945
education.ohio.gov/Topics/Other-Resources/Food-and-Nutrition

Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center

Provides training and educational resources for families to support their child’s learning, emotional health, and plans for the future. They also offer professional training and tools for school leaders, teachers, and community partners. Visit the website for resources on topics including attendance, literacy, English learner family toolkits, and more.
1900 Kenny Road, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 292-2805
ohiofamiliesengage.osu.edu

OSU Schoenbaum Family Center

The Schoenbaum Family Center at the Ohio State University (OSU) provides childcare through the A. Sophie Rogers School for Early Learning, community programs for children and families, advocacy, and professional development for educators and childcare providers. Call or go online to apply for programs.

  • The A. Sophie Rogers School: Provides education, nutrition, speech and language services, and support services for families with children ages 6 weeks-5 years. Priority enrollment is provided to families living in Weinland Park. Tuition fees may be reduced for children enrolled through a partner agency or using Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC).
  • Early Head Start Partnership Program: Offers support for pregnant persons from pregnancy through the first 6 weeks of birth, free home visiting services, and education for children ages 0-4 years with partner agencies throughout Central Ohio.
    (614) 292-7680
  • Ready4Success: Offers coaching and professional development for teachers at early education and childcare programs to assist them in attaining school readiness objectives for children under their care.
    (614) 292-5209

175 East Seventh Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43201
(614) 247-7488
sfc.osu.edu

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