Licensed Daycare in Columbus, Ohio

Q: What's the average daycare cost in Columbus?

Statewide averages in Ohio run roughly $920/month for infants and $700/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.

Q: What staff-to-child ratios apply in Columbus daycares?

All licensed Ohio centers must meet the state minimum: 1:5 for infants, 1:7 for toddlers, and 1:14 for preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers in Columbus typically operate below these ceilings.

Q: Are subsidies available for daycare in Columbus?

Ohio families can apply for Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) (intake: (866) 886-3537). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide .

Every center listed below is sourced directly from the state's child care licensing registry — no paid placement, no editorial picks, no hidden referral fees.

Licensed Centers

Infant Spots

$920/mo

Ohio avg infant

1:5

State infant ratio

Childcare costs in Columbus

ChildCare Aware reports the Ohio average full-time cost at $920/month for infant care and $700/month for preschool. City-level prices in Columbus vary by ZIP code and program model — Head Start sites are free for eligible families, family daycare homes typically run 10-30% below center rates, and accredited centers run above the average.

The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 max) reduce effective cost regardless of program. Ohio families may also qualify for Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) (intake: (866) 886-3537).

Full Ohio licensing & cost overview

Quick facts

State regulator: Ohio Department of Children and Youth — Child Care Licensing
Infant ratio: 1:5
Toddler ratio: 1:7
Preschool ratio: 1:14
Avg capacity: 68 kids

ZIP codes covered

43205 60 43207 13 43231 9 43229 9 43204 9 43201 8 43219 7 43215 7

Program types in Columbus

Licensed Group Child Care Home

12 centers

Licensed Family Daycare Home

Licensed Child Care Center

10 centers

Columbus

2 years - 12 years Cap 21

Each listing links to the full state-record details, including last inspection date if reported.

Common parent questions about licensing, ratios, and how to compare programs in this area.

How many licensed daycare centers are in Columbus, Ohio?

Our directory lists 88 licensed childcare centers in Columbus, Ohio, sourced from Ohio Department of Children and Youth — Child Care Licensing. All listings hold a current state license at indexing time; verify status directly via the state's lookup tool before enrollment.

What's the average daycare cost in Columbus?

Statewide averages in Ohio run roughly $920/month for infants and $700/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.

What staff-to-child ratios apply in Columbus daycares?

All licensed Ohio centers must meet the state minimum: 1:5 for infants, 1:7 for toddlers, and 1:14 for preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers in Columbus typically operate below these ceilings.

Are subsidies available for daycare in Columbus?

Ohio families can apply for Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) (intake: (866) 886-3537). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide.

How do I verify a Columbus daycare's license?

Look up the provider directly in the official Ohio Department of Children and Youth — Child Care Licensing search. License status is the single most important credential to confirm before enrolling.