State library · checked October 2026
Ohio child care, camp and ratio rules
What camps, after-school programs and child care centers in Ohio need to know about licensing, ratios, background checks, medication and reporting abuse, with links to the official rules.
Child care licensing
DCY licenses child care centers (care for seven or more children at one time), Type A and Type B family child care homes, and school-based preschool and school-age programs. Child care rules moved from the Department of Job and Family Services to DCY and were renumbered from OAC 5101:2 to 5180:2 (centers: Chapter 5180:2-12).
After-school and recreation programs: Child day camps (school-age children only, up to 12 hours a day and no more than 15 weeks in summer) are not licensed as child care; they register with DCY each year unless exempt under ORC 5104.21. Other licensing exemptions in ORC Chapter 5104: Not confirmed.
Licensing agency: Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY)
Sources: DCY Child Care Center Licensing - Getting Started (06/2026); OAC 5101:2-12-18 group size and ratios (Cornell LII); DCY Rule Number Tracker (5101:2 to 5180:2); DCY Child Care Information
Staff-to-child ratios in licensed centers
We couldn't confirm Ohio's ratio table from an official source. Ask the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) for the current ratios (OAC 5180:2-12-18, Appendix A (formerly 5101:2-12-18)).
Rule: OAC 5180:2-12-18, Appendix A (formerly 5101:2-12-18). Not confirmed: the ratio and group size table is in Appendix A to OAC 5180:2-12-18, and neither the official Ohio code site nor an official copy of the appendix could be loaded. The rule text confirms that mixed-age groups use the ratio for the youngest child, all ages may be combined when 12 or fewer children are in the center, and preschoolers may move to the school-age group (and ratio) the summer before kindergarten.
Summer camps
Child day camps must register with DCY every year (by March 14) and pay a fee unless they meet an exemption in ORC 5104.21; camps that want to serve publicly funded children must also be accredited by the American Camp Association (or another DCY-approved body) and become DCY 'approved' day camps. Resident (overnight) camps need an annual permit from the local board of health and inspections under OAC Chapter 3701-25.
Sources: DCY Child Care Day Camps - Getting Started (rev. 08/2026); OAC 3701-25-01 resident camp definitions (Cornell LII); OAC 3701-25-02 board of health permits (Cornell LII)
Background checks
Center owners, administrators, employees and child care staff submit a request in the Ohio Professional Registry and get BCI and FBI fingerprints; DCY then reviews five checks: BCI, FBI, national sex offender registry, Ohio sex offender registry, and Ohio child abuse and neglect records (SACWIS). Checks must be redone every five years, after a six-month gap in child care work, or when joining a new program (new fingerprints not needed then). Registered day camps must run BCI and FBI checks before staff start and the camp administrator reviews results; approved day camps go through the full five-part DCY review.
Sources: DCY Background Checks; DCY Background Check and Staff File Requirements for ECE Programs; DCY Child Care Day Camps - Getting Started
Giving medication
Under the 2021 center rule, parents complete and sign a state 'Request for Administration of Medication' form for prescription and non-prescription medicine; a physician, dentist, APRN or PA must also sign instructions unless the medicine is in its original container with a current pharmacy or manufacturer label. The child must have had at least one earlier dose before the center gives any (except listed emergency medicines), medicine is stored out of reach in its labeled original container, each dose is documented on the form right away, and forms are good for up to 12 months (OAC 5101:2-12-25). This rule was replaced as OAC 5180:2-12-25 effective July 1, 2026.
Free medication administration log
Sources: OAC 5101:2-12-25 (2021 version, Cornell LII); DCY Rule Number Tracker (5180:2-12-25 rescind/new 7/1/26)
Reporting child abuse
Ohio law lists required reporters by profession, including child care workers and day care staff, school employees and teachers, health professionals, clergy, social workers and children services staff (ORC 2151.421). Ohio is also among the states whose list covers directors, employees and volunteers of organized activities for children such as camps and recreation centers. Reports go to county children services or law enforcement.
Ohio child abuse hotline: 855-642-4453 (855-O-H-CHILD) (how to report). In an emergency, call 911.
Sources: DCY Report Abuse and Neglect; DCY Resource Guide (hotline); Child Welfare Information Gateway: Mandatory Reporting (May 2023)
Checked October 2026 against Ohio's official rules and federal sources. Rules change and have exceptions, so confirm with the agency before you rely on them. This is general information, not legal advice. Ohio has 8,158 youth and community program nonprofits, according to our analysis of IRS data.
FAQ
Ohio questions
Do summer camps need a license in Ohio?
Child day camps must register with DCY every year (by March 14) and pay a fee unless they meet an exemption in ORC 5104.21; camps that want to serve publicly funded children must also be accredited by the American Camp Association (or another DCY-approved body) and become DCY 'approved' day camps. Resident (overnight) camps need an annual permit from the local board of health and inspections under OAC Chapter 3701-25.
Do after-school programs need a child care license in Ohio?
Child day camps (school-age children only, up to 12 hours a day and no more than 15 weeks in summer) are not licensed as child care; they register with DCY each year unless exempt under ORC 5104.21. Other licensing exemptions in ORC Chapter 5104: Not confirmed.
Who has to report suspected child abuse in Ohio?
Ohio law lists required reporters by profession, including child care workers and day care staff, school employees and teachers, health professionals, clergy, social workers and children services staff (ORC 2151.421). Ohio is also among the states whose list covers directors, employees and volunteers of organized activities for children such as camps and recreation centers. Reports go to county children services or law enforcement. Ohio's hotline: 855-642-4453 (855-O-H-CHILD).
Open registration
with BackPR
Free for nonprofits. No long-term contract. We set you up and import your data at no cost.