Ohio Resources

Ohio Early Learning and Development Standards  Click here to access a copy of Ohio’s Early Learning and Development Standards:  https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Early-Learning/Early-Learning-Content-Standards/Birth-Through-Pre_K-Learning-and-Development-Stand.  These standards describe key concepts and skills that children develop between the ages of birth to 5 years. Early childhood educators should be familiar with these standards and can use them to guide their development of curriculum and instructional strategies. 

Early Childhood Educator Licensure.  Click here to access information about how 2-year programs that lead to a PreK Associate Degree Teaching license:  https://highered.ohio.gov/educators/academic-programs-policies/academic-program-approval/educator-preparation/ed-prep-introduction/ed-prep-intro  

Click here to learn more about the Ohio Program Child Care Inclusion Program: https://childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/for-providers/resources/ohio-promise-child-care-inclusion-program.  Early childhood educators can earn Levels 1, 2, or 3 of the Early Childhood Inclusion credential.  In addition, early childhood programs can earn a program-level designation that indicates they are programs that welcome young children with disabilities into their program. 

Click here to learn more about The Ohio Child Care Licensing and Quality System:  https://oclqs.my.site.com/oclqs_home.  Early childhood educators should be aware of the rules and regulations that govern early childhood education programs and can log into the site to learn more about licensing regulations and find resources related to child care licensing. 

Click here to learn more about Step Up to Quality, Ohio’s Quality Rating Improvement System (QRIS):  https://childrenandyouth.ohio.gov/for-providers/step-up-to-quality/step-up-to-quality.   Users can access SUTQ’s Program Standards, Rules, as well as sample forms needed for application to SUTQ. 

OCCRRA (Ohio Child Care Resource and Referral Association) houses the Ohio Professional Registry (OPR) that promotes the professional growth and development of Ohio’s Early Childhood Educators.  Click here to access the OPR: https://occrra.org/ohio-professional-registry/.  OCCRRA can also link Ohio users to the 12 Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR&Rs) that serve Ohio communities and early childhood professionals.  Here is the link to the 12 CCR&Rs that serve Ohio: https://occrra.org/virtual-rr-connections/.  

Click here to access the Ohio Association for the Education of Young Children (OAEYC):  https://www.oaeyc.org/.  OAEYC is the state level affiliate of the National Association for the Education of Young Children, the leading professional association for early childhood education professionals.  OAEYC hosts an annual conference, provides members access to job listings and provides ongoing professional support to its members.