News

This letter serves as an update to the May 31, 2020 notification of the option to reopen Ohio Department of Education-licensed preschool and school-age child care programs. Today, the State Board of Education adopted emergency rules that were necessary for programs to operate within the health and safety guidelines in the May 29, 2020 Director of Health Order that reopens facilities providing child care services. Also, today, Governor DeWine signed Executive Order 2020-22D allowing Ohio Department of Education-licensed programs to reopen under the emergency rules adopted by the State Board of Education.

Ohio Department of Education-licensed preschool programs may reopen as long as they operate in accordance with the emergency rule linked below in addition to the existing preschool licensing rules:
Existing preschool licensing rules;
Emergency rule (3301-37-03.1) and link to rule 5101:2-12-02.2.

Ohio Department of Education-licensed school-age child care programs may reopen as long as they operate in accordance with the emergency rule linked below in addition to the existing school-age child care licensing rules:
Existing School-Age Child Care rules;
Emergency rule (3301-32-06.1) and link to rule 5101:2-12-02.2.

Schools or other educational settings considering opening a preschool or school-age child care program for the first time must follow these steps required to become licensed by the Ohio Department of Education.

Thank you for your thoughtfulness in considering reopening. Visit the Ohio Department of Education’s webpage for updated resources on reopening and reach out to the team of licensing specialists with any questions.