Columbus OH
Print This Page

Licensing & Accreditation

Action for Children

Provides free information on childcare and early development for parents and caregivers; and professional support for childcare providers. They offer year-round parenting classes for parents with kids of all ages throughout Central Ohio, information about choosing quality childcare, family-focused kindergarten-readiness program, and resources for co-parenting.

78 Jefferson Avenue, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(614) 224-0222 in English & Spanish or (855) 302-4453
actionforchildren.org
afclearning.org

Child Care Aware

Provides information on how to find high quality child care in the community, including steps toward choosing quality child care, ways to help pay and budget for child care, state-by-state resources and more. The website also provides information and resources on starting and operating a successful child care business. Visit the website for additional contact information.
Child Care Referrals, Resources & Information Where You Live: (800) 424-2246
childcareaware.org
Ohio: childcareaware.org/state/ohio

Children’s Hunger Alliance

Works with schools, community organizations, faith-based groups and child care providers throughout Ohio to increase participation in USDA child nutrition programs. Contact their office for help finding childcare centers, after school programs, weekend programs, and summer programs that offer free food for kids.
1105 Schrock Road, Columbus, Ohio 43229
(614) 341-7700
childrenshungeralliance.org

Healthy LifeStars

Provides free programming to schools and youth serving organizations to support kids and families with the resources they need to make healthy choices, build resiliency, achieve goals, and to form healthy habits for life. The LifeStar Challenge motivates and educates kids on the importance of physical activity, proper nutrition, and setting and achieving personal health goals through three simple principles, “I Am Active! I Eat Right! I Can Do It!”. In addition, they offer resources and support for families that can be accessed any time.
1585 Neil Ave, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 563-8926
www.healthylifestars.org

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

Has a national voluntary accreditation program for child care centers who wish to meet quality standards that go above and beyond basic licensing requirements. They also provide research-based resources, tips and ideas for families from child development to reading, writing, music, math and more.
1313 L Street Northwest, Washington, DC 20005
(800) 424-2460
naeyc.org

Ohio Child Care Resource & Referral Association (OCCRRA)

Provides professional development and technical assistance to local child care, early learning, and out of school time programs.
2760 Airport Drive, Columbus, Ohio 43219
(614) 396-5959 or (877) 547-6978 Toll-free
occrra.org

Ohio Department of Education (ODE) Early Learning

Provides information, resources and services related to early learning and school readiness. Also, licenses preschool programs and school-age child care operated by schools and educational centers.
25 South Front Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
(877) 644-6338
education.ohio.gov/Topics/Early-Learning

Ohio Department of Education (ODE) Food & Nutrition

Their website offers important information for families and professionals about state food and nutrition programs. Find guidelines for child and adult care food programs, the national school lunch program, summer food programs, and more.
education.ohio.gov/Topics/Other-Resources/Food-and-Nutrition

Ohio Department of Job & Family Services (ODJFS) Early Learning & Development

All child care centers in the state of Ohio are licensed by the ODJFS or the Ohio Department of Education (ODE). These websites also provide information on licensing rules, forms and training. Parents can search online for child care providers by location, type of facility and ages of children, its licensing status, its location and the number and ages of children served. Print out the two-page Parent’s Guide to Choosing Safe and Healthy Child Care checklist.
30 East Broad Street, Columbus, Ohio 43215
ODJFS Child Care Help Desk: (877) 302-2347
jfs.ohio.gov/cdc
Licensing Information: jfs.ohio.gov/cdc/providers.stm or education.ohio.gov/Topics/Early-Learning/Preschool-Licensing

Ohio Preschool Expulsion Prevention Partnership (OPEPP)

Helps licensed preschools and child care providers in Ohio with preschool-age children whose behavior poses challenges in the preschool setting, putting them at risk for expulsion. To access free on-site consultation services call the number below or complete their online request form. OPEPP is a collaboration among the Ohio Department of Mental Health and Addiction Services (OhioMHAS), Big Lots Behavioral Health Services at Nationwide Children’s Hospital and local early childhood mental health providers.
(844) 678-2227
nationwidechildrens.org/preschool-expulsion-prevention

Ohio Statewide Family Engagement Center

Provides training and educational resources for families to help support their child’s learning, emotional health, and plans for the future. They also build professional training and tools for school leaders, teachers, and community partners.
1900 Kenny Road, Suite 1036, Columbus, Ohio 43210
(614) 292-2805
ohiofamiliesengage.osu.edu

Project ADAM

Project ADAM (Automated Defibrillators in Adam’s Memory) helps schools nationwide implement programs to make automated external defibrillators (AEDs) readily available by preparing schools for a cardiac emergency through emergency response plans, staff CPR and AED training, student CPR education, and sudden cardiac arrest awareness education. Additional contact information and instructions on how to become a Heart Safe School can be found on their website.
nationwidechildrens.org/project-adam

 


Print This Page