Childcare Providers:

Did you know that by July 2020 all childcare providers must be Star rated by Ohio's Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) rating and improvement system in order to take part in Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC)? Franklin County is the first in the state to offer free training to help childcare providers become or stay Star rated.

Why is a Star rating important? 

Being Star rated and staying Star rated is a sign for parents that your home or center:

• Is held to the highest quality standards when caring for their children
• Offers a safe, caring, and nurturing environment to help their children learn and grow
• Provides a firm foundation for children, now and into the future
• Has staff can help their children develop verbal and social Skills and prepare them for school
• Gives all staff the opportunity to thrive

Franklin County also offers FREE monthly trainings to help providers become or stay Star rated. The training includes 32 hours of Ohio Approved professional development that will help you build your Step Up To Quality registration packet.

Choose from four convenient training options to fit your schedule:

Take your first step today!

Call 614-233-2787 or sign the Franklin County Step Up To Quality Provider Pledge to begin the registration process.

Download and view upcoming Step Up to Quality Training Calendar

• January 2020

Additional Resources for Childcare Providers

- New Incentives to help unrated providers become Star rated and assist current 1- and 2-star rated programs with increasing their rating. ODJFS will provide one-time incentive payments of $4,000 for centers and $2,000 for home providers once their ratings are approved. Providers must submit a SUTQ registration between January 1, 2020 and February 29, 2020 to be eligible for the incentive payments.

- Access Questions & Answers to learn about Step Up to Quality

- Access frequently asked questions to learn more about child care assistance and what Franklin County is doing to help providers meet the 2020 Step Up To Quality deadline.

- Visit Early Childhood Ohio for more information about the what it takes to become Star rated or download the Step Up to Quality Guide for Child Care Providers.  

- Access frequently asked questions or visit the ODJFS Child Care eManual to learn more.

- The Child Care Center and Family Child Care license application fee and the change of location application fee have been reduced, effective July 15, 2019. 
       *  Click here to view the updated procedure letter. 
       *  Click here to view the ODJFS Child Care eManual.

- Action For Children also provides support and assistance in attaining a Star rating. Click here to learn more.

Parents:

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!  


 

Search for Star-Rated Childcare

Use the Ohio Child Care Finder  tool to search for quality early learning for your child. You can customize your search based on distance from your home or work, provider type or by current Step Up to Quality Star rating.

Action For Children can also help with finding the right childcare for your family. You can talk to one of their Information and Referral Specialists over the phone, email or LIVE chat. Learn more at www.ActionForChildren.org/parents/choosing-child-care/.  

Some families may be eligible for help paying for childcare through the Franklin County Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) program. Click HERE to learn more about PFCC.   

All childcare providers must have a Star rating from the State of Ohio by 2020 in order to take part in the PFCC program. Find out more about a Step Up to Quality Star rating at www.earlychildhoodohio.org.