Daycare Cost in Ohio 2025: Columbus, Cleveland, Cincinnati Pricing Guide

Ohio offers relatively affordable childcare compared to coastal states, but costs in Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati can still strain family budgets. Understanding Ohio's subsidy programs and quality rating system helps families find the best value.

Quick Answer: Ohio Daycare Costs in 2025

| Age Group | Major Cities | Suburbs | Small Cities | Rural | |-----------|--------------|---------|--------------|-------| | Infant | $280-380/week | $240-330/week | $200-280/week | $160-230/week | | Toddler | $240-330/week | $210-290/week | $180-250/week | $140-200/week | | Preschool | $200-280/week | $180-250/week | $150-220/week | $120-180/week |

Annual costs range from $6,240 to $19,760 depending on age and location.

Columbus Metro Area

Ohio's capital and fastest-growing city has increasing childcare demand.

Columbus Neighborhoods

| Area | Infant Weekly | Preschool Weekly | |------|---------------|------------------| | Short North/Victorian Village | $340-420 | $280-350 | | German Village | $320-400 | $260-330 | | Clintonville | $300-380 | $250-320 | | Grandview Heights | $320-400 | $260-330 | | Upper Arlington | $340-420 | $280-350 | | Bexley | $320-400 | $260-330 | | Worthington | $300-380 | $250-320 |

Columbus Suburbs

| Area | Infant Weekly | Preschool Weekly | |------|---------------|------------------| | Dublin | $320-400 | $260-330 | | New Albany | $340-420 | $280-350 | | Westerville | $280-360 | $230-300 | | Powell | $300-380 | $250-320 | | Hilliard | $270-350 | $220-290 | | Grove City | $250-330 | $210-280 | | Gahanna | $280-360 | $230-300 | | Pickerington | $260-340 | $220-290 |

Cleveland Metro Area

Cleveland offers more affordable options than Columbus.

Cleveland Neighborhoods

| Area | Infant Weekly | Preschool Weekly | |------|---------------|------------------| | Downtown/Flats | $300-380 | $250-320 | | Ohio City | $280-360 | $230-300 | | Tremont | $270-350 | $220-290 | | University Circle | $290-370 | $240-310 | | Lakewood | $280-360 | $230-300 |

Cleveland Suburbs

| Area | Infant Weekly | Preschool Weekly | |------|---------------|------------------| | Shaker Heights | $320-400 | $260-330 | | Beachwood | $310-390 | $250-320 | | Chagrin Falls | $300-380 | $250-320 | | Westlake | $280-360 | $230-300 | | Solon | $290-370 | $240-310 | | Hudson | $300-380 | $250-320 | | Strongsville | $260-340 | $220-290 | | Medina | $250-330 | $210-280 |

Cincinnati Metro Area

Cincinnati straddles Ohio and Kentucky, with options in both states.

Cincinnati Neighborhoods

| Area | Infant Weekly | Preschool Weekly | |------|---------------|------------------| | Downtown/OTR | $300-380 | $250-320 | | Hyde Park | $320-400 | $260-330 | | Mt. Adams | $300-380 | $250-320 | | Oakley | $280-360 | $230-300 | | Clifton | $270-350 | $220-290 |

Cincinnati Suburbs

| Area | Infant Weekly | Preschool Weekly | |------|---------------|------------------| | Indian Hill | $340-420 | $280-350 | | Montgomery | $300-380 | $250-320 | | Mason | $290-370 | $240-310 | | West Chester | $280-360 | $230-300 | | Blue Ash | $280-360 | $230-300 | | Anderson Township | $270-350 | $220-290 | | Kenwood | $290-370 | $240-310 |

Other Ohio Cities

Major Regional Centers

| City | Infant Weekly | Preschool Weekly | |------|---------------|------------------| | Dayton | $240-320 | $200-270 | | Toledo | $230-310 | $190-260 | | Akron | $250-330 | $210-280 | | Youngstown | $200-280 | $170-240 | | Canton | $220-300 | $180-250 |

Smaller Cities

| City | Infant Weekly | Preschool Weekly | |------|---------------|------------------| | Springfield | $200-280 | $170-240 | | Mansfield | $190-270 | $160-230 | | Lima | $180-260 | $150-220 | | Zanesville | $180-260 | $150-220 | | Newark | $200-280 | $170-240 | | Athens | $220-300 | $180-250 |

Ohio Childcare Regulations

Staff-to-Child Ratios

Ohio allows higher ratios than many states:

| Age Group | Ohio Ratio | NAEYC Recommended | |-----------|------------|-------------------| | Infants (0-18 months) | 1:5 | 1:3 | | Toddlers (18 mo-2.5 yrs) | 1:7 | 1:4 | | Preschool (2.5-3 yrs) | 1:12 | 1:6 | | Preschool (3-4 yrs) | 1:14 | 1:10 | | Pre-K (4-5 yrs) | 1:14 | 1:10 | | School Age | 1:18 | 1:12 |

Note: Ohio's higher ratios mean more children per caregiver. Look for programs that voluntarily maintain lower ratios for better quality.

Licensing Types

| Type | Description | |------|-------------| | Licensed Child Care Center | Commercial facility, state inspected | | Licensed Type A Home | 7-12 children in provider's home | | Licensed Type B Home | 1-6 children in provider's home | | Registered Program | School-age only, limited oversight |

Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC)

Ohio's subsidy program helps income-eligible families.

Eligibility Requirements

| Requirement | Details | |-------------|---------| | Income Limit | 142% of Federal Poverty Level (~$44,000 for family of 4) | | Work Requirement | Working, in school, or job training | | Child Age | 0-12 years | | Citizenship | U.S. citizen or qualified immigrant |

How PFCC Works

PFCC pays providers based on regional market rates:

| Region | Infant Weekly Max | Preschool Weekly Max | |--------|-------------------|----------------------| | Cuyahoga (Cleveland) | Up to $260/week | Up to $210/week | | Franklin (Columbus) | Up to $270/week | Up to $220/week | | Hamilton (Cincinnati) | Up to $260/week | Up to $210/week | | Other Metro | Up to $220/week | Up to $180/week | | Rural | Up to $190/week | Up to $160/week |

Copayment Structure

Families pay a weekly copay based on income:

| Income Level | Weekly Copay | |--------------|--------------| | Under 100% FPL | $0-10 | | 100-130% FPL | $10-30 | | 130-142% FPL | $30-50 |

Applying for PFCC

1. Contact your County JFS: Each county administers its own program
2. Gather documents: Proof of income, work verification, child info
3. Complete interview: May be phone or in-person
4. Wait for approval: Typically 2-4 weeks
5. Choose provider: Any licensed or registered provider

Note: Some counties have waitlists. Check with your county JFS for current status.

Step Up to Quality: Ohio's Rating System

Ohio uses Step Up to Quality to rate program quality.

Rating Levels

| Stars | Meaning | |-------|---------| | 1 Star | Meets licensing requirements, beginning quality journey | | 2 Stars | Developing quality practices | | 3 Stars | Advancing quality, curriculum implementation | | 4 Stars | Established quality, strong outcomes | | 5 Stars | Highest quality, exceeds all standards |

Why Step Up to Quality Matters

• Higher PFCC rates: 5-star programs receive enhanced subsidy payments
• Better outcomes: Higher-rated programs show improved school readiness
• Trained staff: More professional development requirements
• Parent engagement: Better family communication and involvement

Find rated programs: Ohio Child Care Search

Ohio Pre-K Programs

Ohio Pre-Kindergarten

State-funded preschool for eligible children.

| Feature | Details | |---------|---------| | Age | 4-year-olds | | Income | 200% FPL (~$62,000 for family of 4) | | Hours | Varies by program (half-day to full-day) | | Cost | FREE for eligible families | | Location | Public schools, Head Start, licensed centers |

Head Start

Comprehensive free services for lower-income families:

| Program | Age | Income Limit | |---------|-----|--------------| | Early Head Start | 0-3 | 100% FPL | | Head Start | 3-5 | 100% FPL |

Preschool Special Education

Free services for children with developmental delays or disabilities:

• Ages 3-5
• No income requirement
• IEP-based services
• Contact your local school district

Cost-Saving Strategies for Ohio Families

1. Tax Benefits

Dependent Care FSA:

• Up to $5,000 pre-tax annually
• Covers daycare, preschool, camps
• Saves 22-35% depending on tax bracket

Child and Dependent Care Credit:

• Federal: 20-35% of up to $3,000
• Ohio: Small additional credit available

2. Layer Programs

| Child's Age | Strategy | |-------------|----------| | 0-2 | PFCC subsidy at Step Up 4-5 star center | | 3 | Head Start (if income-eligible) + PFCC wrap-around | | 4 | Ohio Pre-K (free) + PFCC for extended hours |

3. Alternative Care Options

| Option | Potential Savings | |--------|-------------------| | Licensed Type B Home | 25-35% less than centers | | Relative care | Often free | | Nanny share | 30-40% savings per family | | Part-time schedule | 40-50% reduction |

4. Employer Benefits

Check if your employer offers:

• Dependent Care FSA (with or without match)
• Backup care programs
• On-site or subsidized childcare
• Childcare assistance stipends

Major Ohio employers with childcare benefits:

• Nationwide Insurance (Columbus)
• Cleveland Clinic (Cleveland)
• Procter & Gamble (Cincinnati)
• JPMorgan Chase (Columbus)
• Honda (Marysville)

Finding Quality Care in Ohio

What to Look For

| Factor | What to Check | |--------|---------------| | Step Up rating | 4 or 5 stars preferred | | Accreditation | NAEYC, NECPA, etc. | | Staff turnover | Lower is better | | Curriculum | Research-based (Creative Curriculum, HighScope) | | Environment | Clean, organized, engaging materials | | Ratios | Lower than state minimum preferred |

Verify Providers

Check any Ohio provider through:

• Ohio Child Care Search
• View licensing information
• Check inspection reports
• See Step Up to Quality rating
• View complaints and violations

Red Flags

Be cautious of:

• Operating without proper license
• Ratios that seem too high
• High staff turnover
• Unwillingness to share inspection reports
• No curriculum or learning structure
• Locked areas you can't visit

Regional Considerations

Columbus Families

• Fastest-growing demand: Start searching 4-6 months early
• New developments: New centers opening in suburbs
• Strong Pre-K: Columbus City Schools expanding
• Consider: Hilliard, Grove City for better value

Cleveland Families

• More affordable: 15-20% less than Columbus
• Quality available: Many Step Up 4-5 star programs
• Suburban options: Good value in outer suburbs
• Consider: Lakewood, Parma for walkable neighborhoods

Cincinnati Families

• Kentucky option: Northern Kentucky may offer savings
• Strong preschool: Cincinnati Public has good Pre-K
• Diverse options: Many cultural and language programs
• Consider: West Chester, Mason for suburban family options

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Ohio daycare costs compare to neighboring states?

Ohio is generally more affordable than Pennsylvania and Michigan but similar to Indiana and Kentucky. Columbus is Ohio's most expensive market, followed by Cleveland and Cincinnati. Rural Ohio offers some of the most affordable childcare in the Midwest.

Is there a waitlist for PFCC in Ohio?

Some counties have waitlists, particularly larger urban counties during high-demand periods. Check with your specific county JFS for current status. Priority is often given to certain populations (child welfare involved, teen parents, employment). Apply as early as possible.

What's the difference between Step Up to Quality ratings?

1-star programs just meet licensing minimums. 3-star programs implement curriculum and professional development. 5-star programs exceed all standards with strong outcomes, accreditation-level quality, and comprehensive family engagement. Research shows children in 4-5 star programs have better kindergarten readiness.

Can I use PFCC at any childcare provider?

PFCC can be used at any licensed center, licensed Type A or B home, or registered school-age program. Relative care may also qualify with some limitations. Providers must agree to accept PFCC payments. Step Up rated providers receive higher reimbursements.

How does Ohio Pre-K work with working parent schedules?

Ohio Pre-K programs vary in hours—some are half-day, others full-day. If you need full-time care, you may need wrap-around services (before/after care) in addition to Pre-K. PFCC can cover wrap-around hours. Look for programs that offer both or are co-located with childcare.

Should I choose a center or Type B home?

Both can offer quality care. Type B homes are smaller (6 children max), often more affordable, and may offer more flexibility. Centers offer more structured programming, typically have more staff, and may have better oversight. Look at Step Up ratings for both—quality matters more than type.

My income is too high for PFCC. What are my options?

If you don't qualify for PFCC, explore: Dependent Care FSA (save up to 35%), employer childcare benefits, sliding-scale programs at some centers, preschool scholarships (some programs offer), family childcare for lower cost, or grandparent/relative care arrangements.

How do I know if a program is really high quality?

Beyond Step Up ratings, look for: low staff turnover, teachers who know your child's name, visible learning happening, children engaged (not just watching screens), clean and organized space, responsive communication with parents, and positive online reviews. Trust your observations during visits.

What should I do if I have concerns about a childcare provider?

If you observe safety issues or have concerns, you can file a complaint with the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services. For immediate safety threats, contact local authorities. All licensed providers are subject to investigation of complaints. Your identity can remain confidential.

Are there summer childcare options in Ohio?

Yes, most childcare centers operate year-round. School-age children can attend summer programs at daycares, YMCAs, park districts, and day camps. PFCC covers summer care for eligible families. Start planning summer care in February-March as popular programs fill early.

The Bottom Line

Ohio offers relatively affordable childcare compared to coastal states, with robust programs to help families afford quality care. The PFCC subsidy program, Step Up to Quality ratings, and free Pre-K options make quality care accessible for many families.

Key strategies:

• Apply for PFCC if income is under ~$44,000 for family of 4
• Target Ohio Pre-K at age 4 for free preschool
• Choose Step Up 4-5 star programs for quality assurance
• Consider Type B homes for 25-35% savings
• Use Dependent Care FSA to save on taxes
• Start early in Columbus and Cleveland suburbs (waitlists possible)

With Ohio's combination of reasonable costs and support programs, most families can find quality childcare that works for their budget. Start your search early, explore all assistance options, and prioritize Step Up rated programs.