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The state of child care in Ohio

A synthesis of everything Childcare Alerts tracks about Ohio child care — scale, quality, compliance, ownership, access, and news — from public records. Figures describe the public data; they aren't a rating.

Who runs child care in Ohio

How Ohio's licensed providers break down by ownership — independent vs. the national chains, and the private-equity firms or public companies behind them. About 2% are PE-owned or public chains.

■ Independent (89%) · ■ Nonprofit (5%) · ■ Government (3%) · ■ Private equity (2%) · ■ Public (2%) · ■ Family/Franchise (0%)

Largest chains here: KinderCare (143) · The Goddard School (49, PE) · Primrose School (42, PE) · Childtime (30, PE) · Kiddie Academy (15) · The Learning Experience (13, PE)

Access

Counties with the fewest licensed providers in Ohio — a rough map of where families have the least choice.

Noble (5 providers) · Harrison (5 providers) · Morgan (6 providers) · Carroll (7 providers) · Vinton (8 providers) · Holmes (9 providers)

In the news

• Ohio voters name childcare a priority for 2026 elections
  State Affairs · 2026-08-27
• Ohio Voters Agree: Child Care Is an Affordability Issue
  First Five Years Fund · 2026-08-24
• Advocates call Ohio childcare costs a crisis for families
  Spectrum News · 2026-08-22
• Precious Cargo Preschool opens child care center in Hartville
  Your Ohio News · 2026-08-21
• Ohio House Democrats Unveil "An Ohio You Can Afford" Legislative Package to Drive Down Costs in Healthcare, Childcare, Housing, Energy and Consumer Goods
  Ohio House of Representatives (.gov) · 2026-08-17

Childcare Alerts is an independent service that synthesizes public Ohio child care records for education and research. It is not a rating or a safety verdict; the official state record always controls.