Program Overview
Ohio State is pleased to provide access to high-quality child care as part of its total rewards package. In order to serve as many Ohio State students, faculty and staff as possible, the Child Care Program offers a variety of enrollment options, including full day, half-day, partial-week and evening care.
The Child Care Program serves each child and family with exceptional early care and education, regardless of the type of enrollment or the amount of time a child spends in care each week.
We serve each child and family with:
- Early childhood classroom teams that include teachers, assistant teachers and teaching aides working together to provide a secure, nurturing and challenging classroom environment that enhances children’s growth and development.
- Implementation of The Creative Curriculum, a nationally recognized, research based approach to early education. The curriculum supports a developmentally appropriate, content-rich program for children with diverse backgrounds and skill levels.
- Indoor and outdoor space that allows children to explore, discover, move, and grow.
- Two facilities to meet the needs of over 430 families in the university community.
- Meals and snacks meeting USDA guidelines prepared daily in the on-site kitchen. A lunch and two snacks are served daily at both the Ackerman Road and Buckeye Village facilities; dinner and a snack are also served after 6 p.m. at the Ackerman Road facility. USDA Food Program funds are used to supplement food costs.
- Administrators who value children, families and teachers first and who bring a diversity of experience and skills to their positions.
Program Details
University students, faculty or staff who have legal custody and/or are the primary caregivers for their children are eligible for child care services. The children are eligible regardless of race, color, national origin, sex, or handicap. A limited number of spaces are available for children identified as needing early intervention services.
Ackerman Road Facility
Daily child care services for 320 children, 6 weeks old through kindergarten.
Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Buckeye Village Facility
Daily child care services for 115 children, 6 weeks old through age 5.
Monday-Friday, 7 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Second shift child care services for eligible university employees for children 6 weeks old through kindergarten.
Monday-Friday, 6 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Daily kindergarten program for up to 20 children who are 5 years old by September 30.
Chartered by the State of Ohio, the kindergarten program offers a curriculum which meets standards set by the Ohio Department of Education. Children who have completed kindergarten may stay for the Summer School Age Program (June through August). Additional summer program enrollments may be available for children who have completed kindergarten or first grade.
Monday-Friday, 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Available at Ackerman Road and Buckeye Village
Two early intervention programs are available that provide at-risk and developmentally delayed children with opportunities for growth and self-improvement. Occupational therapists, physical therapists and speech/language pathologists work within the classroom setting to provide individualized intervention services.
The classroom teachers collaborate with these service providers to offer motor, cognitive, language and social skill activities that will meet the goals determined for children with special needs in an inclusive environment.
Infants & Toddlers
Children from 6 weeks to 3 years old who are residents of Franklin County may be eligible to receive early intervention services if the child has suspected or confirmed developmental delays or disabilities. These services are provided in coordination with Help Me Grow and The Ohio State University’s Nisonger Center. The early intervention specialist, therapists and teachers work in collaboration to provide the needed enrichment while children interact with peers in the classroom setting. Families pay for the child care component of the program based on a sliding fee scale, and all federal aid programs are accepted.
Preschool
Children 3 to 5 years old with developmental delays may be eligible to participate in a collaborative project with the Columbus Public School District. A special education teacher along with therapists and classroom teachers provides individualized services for special needs children in an inclusive environment. By offering care and therapy in the classrooms, children can interact with typically developing peers providing many opportunities to learn through modeling. There is no charge for preschool special needs services. Families pay for wrap-around care based on a sliding fee scale, and all federal aid programs are accepted. Children are admitted through referral only.
The Child Care Program operates two facilities:
- Ackerman Road, 725 Ackerman Road
- Buckeye Village, 2724 Defiance Drive
Ackerman Road
The Ackerman Road child care facility can accommodate 320 children:
- 60 infants (2 to 18 months)
- 120 toddlers (18 months to 3 years)
- 116 preschoolers (3 to 5 years)
- 24 kindergarteners
Classrooms are spacious and well-equipped. Each room is arranged to accommodate large group, small group, and individual experiences. Large outdoor playgrounds are located outside each classroom. A variety of age-appropriate equipment is provided.
Buckeye Village
The Buckeye Village child care facility is located in the Buckeye Village Family Community Center which also houses the Buckeye Village Administrative offices, the ACCESS program, and community space for Buckeye Village residents.
The program can accommodate 115 children:
- 20 Infants (6 weeks to one year)
- 20 Older Infants (1-2 years)
- 20 Toddlers (2-3 years)
- 54 Preschoolers (3-5 years)
Care for infants, older infants and toddlers follows a continuity of care model. Children may move from one classroom space to the next along with their caregivers. All classrooms have an abundance of natural lighting. The emphasis is on child-sized furniture and equipment designed to encourage independence and skill building.
The Child Care Program implements curriculum through The Creative Curriculum, which is a nationally recognized, research-based approach to early education. The curriculum supports a developmentally appropriate, content-rich program for children with diverse backgrounds and skill levels. The Creative Curriculum is also aligned with the Ohio Early Learning and Development Standards.
The Creative Curriculum is based on five fundamental principles:
- Positive interactions/relationships with adults provide a critical foundation for successful learning.
- Social-Emotional competence is a significant factor in school success.
- Constructive, purposeful play supports essential learning.
- The physical environment affects the type and quality of learning interactions.
- Teacher-family partnerships promote development and learning.
Early childhood classroom teams include teachers, assistant teachers and teaching aides working together to provide a secure, nurturing and challenging classroom environment that enhances children’s growth and development. The classroom teams establish professional relationships and effective communications with families in order to provide individualized care and education to every child.
Although the following ratios exceed state requirements, there may be times when it is temporarily not possible to maintain our preferred ratios.
| Age Level | Child Care Program Ratio | State of Ohio Ratio |
|---|---|---|
| Infants 6 weeks-18 months | 1 staff member per 4 infants | 1 staff member per 6 infants |
| Toddlers 18-36 months | 1 staff member per 5 toddlers | 1 staff member per 7 toddlers |
| Preschool 3-5 years | 1 staff member per 9 children | 1 staff member per 12 children |
| Kindergarten/School Age | 1 staff member per 12 children | 1 staff member per 18 children |
