Ohio State University Extension Fact Sheet

Ohio State University Fact Sheet

Community Development

700 Ackerman Road, Suite 235, Columbus, OH 43202-1578

Becoming a Child Care Provider

CDFS-1002

Small Business Series

Rose Fisher Merkowitz
Susan S. Shockey

Child care is extremely important for working parents. Convenience and quality are two major concerns. Child care providers contribute a vital service to families and are of utmost importance to the child's well-being. If you are thinking about becoming a child care provider, ask yourself these questions:

  1. Do I enjoy being with children all day, every day?
  2. Do my own children understand they will share their time with me?
  3. Does my family understand that while I am caring for other
  4. children, these children will be my major responsibility?
  5. Will my family be willing to share their home and personal belongings with other children?

If you have answered "yes" to the above questions, you are ready to consider becoming a child care provider.

Where to Start?

After deciding to become a child care provider, where do you start? Who has more information? Refer to Ohio State University Extension Bulletin #791, "Becoming A Child Care Provider," which gives more specifics on being a child care provider.

For general information on child care, contact the local Ohio State University Extension Office (look under county government in the phone book). There are numerous handouts focusing on child care, child development, and parenting. Request the Extension Resource Catalog.

Definition of Child Care Services

There are four types of child care services: Type B, In-Home Child Care Provider, Type A, and Child Care Centers. Explanations of each follow. Type B Child care is provided in the home for one to six children at one time. No more than three children may be under two years of age. Public funds are available if specific requirements are met.

In-Home Child Care Provider

Child care services are provided in the child's home. Any number of children may be cared for if the children are siblings of the same immediate family. An in-home provider may arrange to bring two of her own children to the home where child care services are provided.

Type A

Child care services are provided in the home for: a) seven to twelve children at one time; or b) four to twelve children at one time, if four or more of the children are under two years of age. All Type A homes must be licensed by the state of Ohio.

Child Care Center

A child care center is any place where care is provided for thirteen or more children at one time. The center in which the child care is provided must not be the permanent residence of the owner or operator.

Type A child care and a child care center may be structured in a number of ways. For example, other services provided might be care on a part-time, cooperative, drop-in, or latchkey arrangement.

Requirements

Next, go to the county Department of Human Services. They can provide information on the requirements for certification and licensing along with the forms needed to be completed before becoming a certified child care provider.

Applications for Certification and Licensing

All applications are provided by the Department of Human Services. The form for Type B and In-Home Child Care Provider are the same application. Applications for Type A and Child Care Centers are provided by the state or district Department of Human Services.

Certification

Type B and In-Home Child Care Providers need to be certified by the county Department of Human Services in order for public funds to be paid to the child care provider.

Licensing

All Type A and Child Care Centers must be licensed by the Ohio Department of Human Services. There are some initial issues to consider before applying for a license, so contact a child care licensing specialist through the district Department of Human Services to begin the licensing process. If child care will be provided privately, certification is not necessary. However, group size limits still remain as law.

Handicapped or Health Condition Children

Any child care type may accept handicapped and health condition children. The number of children for each type does not change. The only extra item to be completed is a written plan for the care of the child. This plan will need to be approved and signed by the child's parent, or guardian, the provider, and the county Department of Human Services Director.

Necessary Training

All providers must be 18 years of age or older.

Type B Child Care Provider

For Type B child care provider, a provider must complete a "Health and Safety in Family Day Care" course within the first three months. Also twelve hours of training needs to be completed within the first year of certification, and six hours of training per year thereafter until a total of thirty hours are completed. These hours must be completed unless other specific evidence of training is provided to the county Director of the Department of Human Services for exemption.

In-Home Child Care Provider

For an In-Home child care provider, a provider must have at least six months of experience caring for a child under 6 years of age. (Parenthood may be considered as experience).

Type A and Child Care Centers

Each provider must complete 15 hours of in-service training annually until a total of 45 hours are completed in three years. These hours must be completed unless specific evidence of similar training is provided to the county Department of Human Services Director for exemption.

Sick Leave and Vacation Time

"What if I become ill? Who will take care of the children so I can take a vacation?" These are good questions to ask. Illness is an emergency situation and vacation is a temporary one.

During the process of becoming a child care provider you will submit to the county Department of Human Services Director the names, addresses and telephone numbers of at least two persons who have agreed to provide care for the children when you cannot. The leave must be short in duration and infrequent. The county Department of Human Services Director will give approval to these persons. These emergency/temporary care providers must meet certification requirements. The authorized provider must contact the county Department of Human Services within the next working day to report any leave requiring use of an approved individual to provide care for the children.

Does Your Community Need Child Care?

Know your community to be competitive. What is the cost of living compared to other parts of the state? Are there any other child care centers or child care providers in the area? What do they charge per child? What types of equipment do they have that might be needed for you to be competitive?

Is there a need for more child care in the community? If there is, a great opportunity exists to start a business. Your income may vary depending on the number of children in your care at a particular time.

How Much Do You Charge to Make a Profit?

Profit has been defined as the financial reward for the effort expended in operating a business. There are at least four criteria to use to determine a price for your service:
  1. What you think people will pay.
  2. What other child care centers are charging for a similar service.
  3. An estimate of costs and labor.
  4. A combination of your costs, both direct and indirect, an hourly wage, and profit.

Summary

There are many points to consider when thinking of becoming a child care provider. As a provider, you need to be alert, positive, caring, loving, happy, thoughtful, organized and most of all, trustworthy!

All educational programs conducted by Ohio State University Extension are available to clientele on a nondiscriminatory basis without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, gender, age, disability or Vietnam-era veteran status.

Keith L. Smith, Associate Vice President for Ag. Adm. and Director, OSU Extension.

TDD No. 800-589-8292 (Ohio only) or 614-292-1868

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