Parents and Caretakers

A Step Up To Quality Star rating is important because it is a sign that a provider offers a safe, caring, nurturing environment for your child. It means the staff are qualified to help your child develop verbal and social skills to learn and grow — not only for today, but also for their future!

Why is a Star-Rated Provider Important for my Family?

The type of care you choose for your child can have a big impact on their future. Choosing a SUTQ rated provider benefits your family in many ways including:

✔️ INCREASING YOUR AWARENESS OF QUALITY

✔️ EMPOWERS YOU TO BECOME INFORMED WHEN CHOOSING QUALITY SETTINGS FOR YOUR CHILD

✔️ EXCEEDS BASIC HEALTH & SAFETY REQUIREMENTS

✔️ PROMOTES THE LEARNING & DEVELOPMENT OF YOUR CHILD

✔️ PROMOTES INFORMATION ON COMMUNITY RESOURCES

Need Help Paying For Quality Child Care?

Some families may be eligible for help paying for child care through the Franklin County Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) program, which helps eligible families pay for the cost of child care services for children under the age of 13 and for children with disabilities up to the age of 18. Click HERE to learn more and apply for PFCC.

Search for Star-Rated Child Care

Action For Children offers an interactive map that shows all licensed child care programs currently open and enrolling children in Central Ohio. The map allows you to search for child care based off of county, provider type, ages served, SUTQ rating and more.

Additional Information For Families

Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) is a five-star quality rating and improvement system administered by the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS). SUTQ recognizes and promotes learning and development programs that meet quality program standards that exceed licensing health and safety regulations. The program standards are based on national research identifying standards which lead to improved outcomes for children.

Action For Children can help you find the right child care for your family. Talk to one of their Information and Referral Specialists over the phone, email or LIVE chat. Click HERE to learn more.

Bold Beginning! gives parents an easy way to access all things related to early childhood in Ohio's state agencies! Their site offers resources for all people interacting with young children — whether a parent, grandparent, caretaker, teacher, child care provider — there is valuable information for all.