Early Childhood Education Grant for Families

Early Learning and School Readiness is beginning to transition to the new Department of Children and Youth.  

Our email addresses are changing to firstname.lastname@childrenandyouth.ohio.gov.
You can continue to send emails to our Department of Education email addresses and they will be forwarded automatically. 


The Early Childhood Education (ECE) Grant is an important investment in Ohio’s youngest learners. The purpose of the ECE Grant is to maximize a child’s early educational experiences. These experiences help to prepare children for success in kindergarten by providing high-quality early learning services to Ohio’s preschool age children. The state funded ECE Grant is awarded to early care and education programs who are required to provide developmentally appropriate learning environments that address the outcomes and goals essential for healthy development and academic, social, and emotional growth.

High-quality programming includes implementing a curriculum aligned to the Ohio Early Learning and Development Standards, setting learning goals for children based on assessment data, degreed teachers engaging in on-going professional development and building partnerships with families and the community.

Programs that receive the grant include public preschool programs, Joint Vocational schools (JVS), Board of Developmental Disabilities, chartered non-public schools, private preschool programs, Head Start programs, childcare centers and family childcare homes.

Early Childhood Education Grantees must participate in Step Up To Quality, a tiered 1-5 –star quality rating and improvement system administered by the Ohio Department of Education and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. SUTQ recognizes and promotes learning and development programs that meet quality program standards that exceed preschool licensing and school age child care licensing health and safety regulations. Step Up To Quality program standards are based on national research identifying standards which lead to improved outcomes for children. Programs are rated on four domains, each with subdomains, in the areas of Learning and Development, Administrative and Leadership Practices, Staff Qualifications, and Professional Development and Family Community Partnerships. SUTQ program standards reflect best practices early care and education.  All ECE Grant funded site locations must maintain a high-quality rating of 3, 4, or 5 stars.
 

Steps to enroll your child

  • Check the FY23 Awarded Programsto see if there is a program in your area.  There is contact information for each program listed. 
  • Contact the programs you select to see if space is available and if your family meets the income requirements.
  • Visit the program to make sure it is a good fit for your child and your family.
  • Provide the program with a copy of your child’s birth certificate to verify age eligibility.
  • Provide the program with a copy of documentation to verify family income.

Last Modified: 10/2/2023 1:50:56 PM