Child Care Services
Fact Sheet
Rules for Child Care Homes
Hamilton County Child Care Services certifies professional child care homes that meet and maintain the health and safety standards set by the state. Child Care Services can refer eligible families to professional child care homes. Below is an overview of the rules and regulations for certified Type B home providers.
A home provider must:
· Be at least 18
· Have a GED or high school diploma
· Have six months experience caring for children
· Provide three references from adults who are not related
· Have a recent physical from a licensed doctor and be in good health
· Pass a criminal background check along with all other adults and teens living in the home
· Have another adult willing to provide care in an emergency
o a criminal background check is also run on this adult
To be certified, a child care home must:
· Be inspected by Child Care Services and meet the requirements
· Have a:
o working land-line phone
o a safe, healthy environment
o functioning kitchen complete with stove and refrigerator
o functioning bathroom with a working sink and toilet
o indoor play area with age-appropriate toys and activities
o nap space
o outdoor play area or nearby park
To maintain certification:
· A child care home must pass an inspection by Child Care Services at least twice a year. At least one of these inspections will be unannounced.
· Any violation found during an inspection must be corrected within 30 days.
· Parents and Child Care Services staff must be allowed to visit any time a child care home is open, even if the visit is unannounced.
· The first year of certification the home provider must complete a series of required classes and obtain a CPR and First Aid certificate. Each subsequent year, the home provider must maintain their CPR and First Aid certificate and complete 6 elective hours of training.
Other important rules providers must follow:
· A home provider can care for up to six children including their own children if they are under age six. Of those six children, not more than three can be under two years of age.
· A home provider must
o Keep the home, materials and toys clean and follow sanitation guidelines.
o Follow rules and meet the standards for fire, health and emergency safety.
o Provide nutritious meals and snacks.
o Provide age appropriate developmental activities.
o Not use physical discipline. Spanking, withholding food and similar types of discipline are not permitted.
It is important to understand that, as parents, you are in the best position to monitor the quality of your child’s care and safety. You are in your provider’s home much more often than Child Care Services. If you see that the rules are not being followed, or if you believe that your child and the other children in that provider’s care are at risk, call your Consumer Specialist immediately. Your reports are serious and will be investigated. When you call, be sure to provide as much information as possible, dates, times, names, etc.
What if I have a complaint about my child care provider, or I think my provider has broken the rules?
For Child Care Center or Type A Child Care Home:
· Call the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services, Child Care Licensing Office at (513) 551-1957
For School Based Programs Licensed by the Ohio Department of Education:
· Call (513) 874-1771
For a Child Care Home Provider:
· Call your Consumer Specialist or 946-1800
If you are interested in becoming a Type B Home Provider call the Hamilton County Department of Job and Family Services, Home Certification Unit at (513) 946-1800 to be scheduled for a “first contact” meeting. You will receive your application at that meeting.
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