To: All Ohio Department of Education-Licensed Preschool and School-Age Child Care Providers
From: Wendy Grove, PhD, Director, Office of Early Learning and School Readiness
Date: August 12, 2020
RE: Updated Transitional Pandemic Rules
This letter provides an update to the May 31 and June 9, 2020 letters for Ohio Department of Education-licensed preschool and school-age child care programs. On August 10, 2020, the State Board of Education adopted updated emergency rules that reflect the changing environment of the state as it continues to face challenges created by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. In addition to the existing rules regulating preschool and school-age child programs, the updated rules establish requirements for symptom checks, sending ill children and staff home, and notification of local health departments for COVID-19 symptoms; face coverings for staff and children; and specifications for portable sinks and room dividers. The lower ratio/class size requirement of 1:9 has been removed and programs may return to pre-COVID ratios and class sizes, as specified in Ohio Department of Education preschool and school-age child care rules linked below. On August 10, 2020, Governor DeWine signed
Executive Order 2020-34D which made these rules effective immediately.
Ohio Department of Education-licensed preschool programs may operate in accordance with the emergency rule linked below in addition to the existing preschool licensing rules:
Existing
Preschool Licensing Rules; Emergency rule
(3301-37-03.1) and link to rule
5101:2-12-02.2.
Ohio Department of Education-licensed school-age child care programs may operate in accordance with the emergency rule linked below in addition to the existing school-age child care licensing rules:
Existing
School-Age Child Care Rules; Emergency rule
(3301-32-06.1) and link to rule
5101:2-12-02.2.
Schools or other educational settings considering opening a preschool or school-age child care program for the first time must follow these
steps to become licensed by the Ohio Department of Education. Additional guidance is forthcoming for schools that are planning to provide a learning hub, space or child care program during remote learning days and hours.
Thank you for your thoughtfulness in planning, asking questions and for all that you are doing to keep Ohio’s youngest students safe in this unprecedented time. Visit the Ohio Department of Education’s
webpage for Reset and Restart resources and reach out to the team of
licensing specialists with any questions.