How to choose before- and after-school care

Who runs a program decides who inspects it, so start there.

Exempt doesn't mean unsafe, but it does mean DCY doesn't license or inspect the program as child care. Ask an exempt program how it screens staff, how many adults supervise and how pickup works.

To find licensed options, use Ohio Child Care Search. It can filter for licensed school-age child care and for programs that offer before- or after-school care.

Licensed centers need at least 1 adult for every 18 children from kindergarten age to 10, in groups of no more than 36 (OAC 5180:2-12-18, Appendix A). For ages 11 to 14, the minimum is 1 adult for every 20, in groups of up to 40. Licensed school-run programs use the same ratios (OAC 5180-32-03).

When ages mix, the youngest child sets the ratio (OAC 5180:2-12-18). For more detail, see Ohio daycare ratios and group sizes, explained.

Those numbers are minimums, and Caring for Our Children, the national health and safety standards, recommends 1:10 for ages 6 to 8 and 1:12 for ages 9 to 12, in groups of 20 and 24. Ohio's Gold rating requires lower ratios in 40% of a center's classrooms, which for school-age groups means 1:17 with no more than 34 children (SUTQ standards).

Ask about transportation first, because it can rule a program in or out. Programs handle it in different ways:

• School bus: Ohio's rules let districts bus resident students to school-age child care programs, but it depends on the district's policy (OAC 3301-83-17). Call your district's transportation office before you commit.
• Program van: a licensed center's drivers must be at least 18 and complete state transportation training, and children under 12 can't ride in front. Vehicles are inspected weekly and yearly and checked after every trip so no child is left inside (OAC 5180:2-12-14).
• Walking: a licensed center may let a school-age child walk to or from school only with your written permission (OAC 5180:2-12-19).

Also ask what happens if your child doesn't arrive. Licensed centers must have a written procedure for following up when a child expected from school or another activity doesn't show up (Appendix B to OAC 5180:2-12-07).

Coverage on days without school is easy to overlook, so get the policy in writing. Licensed centers must give families written policies on closing for weather and on how they handle school delays and closings (Appendix B to OAC 5180:2-12-07). Ask the program these questions:

• Are you open on snow days, two-hour delays and early dismissals, and from what time?
• Is full-day care offered on in-service days, conference days and winter and spring breaks, and does it cost extra?
• If the program meets in a school, does it run when the school is closed?
• Is summer care offered, and is it a separate enrollment?

For summer and longer breaks, a day camp is another option. Ohio requires child day camps to register with DCY every year, though some are exempt, including camps run by cities and park districts (ORC 5104.21). See choosing a summer camp in Northeast Ohio.

Before- and after-school care at an Ohio center averaged $6,435 a year in 2024, and $5,967 at a family child care home, according to Child Care Aware of America's 2024 Affordability Analysis. When you compare programs, add registration, activity, late-pickup and transportation fees to the weekly rate.

Publicly funded child care (PFCC) covers school-age care if your family qualifies and your child is under 13 when you apply, or under 18 with special needs (OAC 5180:6-1-02). It pays for care outside the school day, not for the hours your child would normally be in school (OAC 5180:6-1-10).

A program that takes PFCC can't ask you to pay the difference between the state's payment and its regular price. It must tell you about fees PFCC doesn't cover, such as transportation fees, and have you sign an agreement for them (OAC 5180:6-1-10).

If your income is a little too high for PFCC, the Child Care Choice Voucher helps families between 146% and 200% of the federal poverty level. Since November 1, 2025, it has paid a center or school-based program $375 a month for a school-age child (DCY Procedure Letter 36). Our guide to help paying for childcare in Ohio covers income limits and how to apply.

• Is the program licensed? Can I see the latest inspection report?
• What is the ratio, and how many children are in my child's group?
• Is there a set homework time and a quiet place to work? Do staff help, or only supervise?
• What does a typical afternoon include, such as outdoor time, snacks and choices for older kids?
• Are all staff background-checked and trained in first aid and CPR?
• What are your hours and late-pickup fees, and who may pick up my child?
• Do you accept PFCC or the Child Care Choice Voucher?
• How will you tell me about my child's day or any problems?

Child Care Aware of America's school-age checklist, which asks about a quiet homework space and a daily balance of play and homework, has more questions to print and bring.

At All Around Children, before- and after-school care for kindergarten through grade 6 is offered at participating centers for $165 per week, with transportation to some local schools and full-day care on non-school days.