Ohio Connection State Family Child Care Association

Family Child Care Home Business Focus Workgroup

In September 2003, the Day Care Advisory Council of the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services and the Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association convened the first meeting of the Family Child Care Home Business Workgroup.  Over the course of the last four years a diverse group of family child care home business professionals, state and county agency staff, child care resource and referral organizations staff, early childhood professionals, food program staff,  and parents met together and by phone to hammer out a set of short term and long-term recommendations.  These recommendations focused on the health and safety of children in care and improving the quality of their early learning opportunities.

The new rule book was released on August 14.  There will be a full review of the rules and regulations at the state conference.

Licensing Bill

On Tuesday, September 25th, Senator Stivers and Rep. Peterson held a press conference introducing the bill for licensing for Type B homes.  Elaine Ward- 4 C-Cincinnati, Lawrence Hall- Parent Representative, and Amelia Rodgers - President of Ohio Connection were invited to speak at the press conference.

Who will be licensed?

Family Child Care Home Businesses receiving payment from any source-public or private-to care for between three and six children on a regular basis will be required to be licensed.  The provider's own children under the age of six and foster care children are included in this count.

Quality Rating System

This system will rate providers based on five categories.  These categories are Ratio and Accreditation, Education and Qualifications, Specialized Training, Administrative Practices and Early Learning Implementations.

As currently drafted, this will be a three step process.  A provider will have to meet all qualifications in the designated step in order to obtain the quality rating for that step. As with the daycare centers' rating system, this system will be voluntary for providers.

This system is being devised to help parents when selecting care for their child/children. 

Type A Quality Rating System

The quality rating system for Type A homes has been developed and went into effect in December, 2007.  As with the daycare centers, this is a voluntary program.