Ohio Home Daycare Inspection Checklist

Ohio daycare inspections follow a specific checklist derived from OAC Chapter 5180:2-13, and knowing exactly what the licensing specialist will look for is the difference between passing on the first visit and spending weeks on a Corrective Action Plan. Here's the full breakdown.

Indoor Space Requirements

The specialist measures your usable indoor floor space and divides by the number of children on your license. The standard is 35 square feet per child, and "usable" has a specific definition — hallways, bathrooms, kitchens, storage rooms, and any area not directly accessible to children during care are excluded.

This catches providers who assumed their whole house counts. A 1,200-square-foot home might only have 400 square feet of usable child care space once you exclude restricted areas.

Outdoor Play Area

Each child using the outdoor area at one time needs 60 square feet. The space must be either located away from traffic or enclosed by a continuous fence or natural barrier in good condition. "Good condition" means no gaps, no broken sections, and no openings large enough for a child to pass through.

If your outdoor area includes a pool, pond, or any standing water feature, expect additional fencing and barrier requirements around that specific hazard.

Fire Safety

This section generates some of the most common violations:

• Smoke detectors: UL- or FM-certified, on every level including the basement. Tested monthly and maintained per manufacturer specifications.
• Carbon monoxide detectors: Required on every level of the home.
• Fire extinguisher: Minimum 1A:10BC rating, mounted in the kitchen or cooking area.
• Heaters: Vented gas, oil, or wood-burning heaters need nonflammable guards. Unvented fuel-fired heaters are completely prohibited during operating hours.
• Open flames: No candles, incense, or unprotected open flames in areas where children are present.
• Egress: Evacuation routes must be clearly posted and free of obstructions.

Water and Temperature Standards

Water temperature: Must be under 120°F at any tap children can reach. The inspector will check this with a thermometer.

Indoor temperature: Maintained between 65°F and 85°F during operating hours.

Private well water: If your home uses a private well instead of municipal water, you need lab test results on file showing total coliform under 4 MPN per 100 mL, zero E. coli, nitrates under 10 mg/L, and arsenic under 0.01 mg/L. Municipal water connections require no additional testing.

Safe Sleep Environment

For any infant under 12 months in your care:

• Individual CPSC-compliant crib or playpen per child
• Mattress at least 1.5 inches thick with a waterproof, sanitizable cover
• Fitted sheets changed weekly, when soiled, or before another child uses the bed
• Infants placed on their backs to sleep (alternative positions require a physician-signed JFS 01235 waiver)
• Cribs must be completely free of blankets, pillows, bumpers, bibs, and toys
• Swaddling restricted to wearable swaddling blankets, only for infants who cannot yet roll over

Firearms Storage

If there are firearms in the home, they must be stored in an inoperative condition in a locked container. Ammunition must be stored separately. The inspector will verify this, and violations here are classified as serious risk — six points per infraction.

Pets and Animals

Pets are allowed if they present no threat to children's safety or health. The inspector checks for current rabies vaccination records for all dogs and cats in the home. Exotic animals must comply with local and state ordinances.

Documentation the Inspector Reviews

Beyond the physical space, the specialist audits your paperwork:

• Completed emergency preparedness plan (Form DCY 01251)
• Posted evacuation routes and emergency contact information
• Monthly fire drill logs
• Child enrollment records and emergency contact forms
• Medication authorization forms (JFS 01217) for any children receiving medication
• Medical physical care plans (Form JFS 01236/DCY 01236) for children with chronic conditions
• Your signed medical statement (JFS 1280)

The Violations Points System

Every violation gets classified as moderate risk (3 points) or serious risk (6 points). Common moderate-risk findings include missing fire drill documentation, incomplete child records, and minor safety hazards. Serious-risk violations include exceeding licensed capacity, leaving a child unsupervised, and missing background checks.

Accumulating 24 points in a 12-month period can trigger license revocation proceedings. You have 10 business days after receiving the inspection report to request an administrative review if you dispute a finding.

How to Self-Audit Before the Visit

Walk through your home with the OAC standards in hand. Measure your indoor rooms (exclude everything the rule excludes), measure your outdoor space, check every smoke detector battery, verify your fire extinguisher hasn't expired, and test water temperature at every accessible tap. The providers who pass on the first visit are the ones who've already inspected themselves.

For a printable room-by-room pre-inspection checklist that mirrors the actual OAC standards, see our Ohio Home Daycare License guide.

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