Rule 5180:2-13-13 | Sanitary equipment and environment for a licensed family child care provider.
(A) What are the requirements to provide and maintain a clean environment, furniture, materials and equipment in a licensed family child care home?
(1) Toilet tissue, liquid soap, running water, and individually assigned towels or disposable towels shall be provided in all bathrooms. Toilets and bathroom sinks shall be in good working condition. Toilets shall be flushed after each use.
(2) Equipment, furnishings, and materials shall be constructed of materials to facilitate cleaning.
(3) Accumulated trash and garbage are not to be stored in an area that has been approved for child care.
(4) The home shall be cleaned daily. The environment, furniture, materials and equipment are to be kept in a sanitary condition at all times. Items are to be cleaned and sanitized between uses. Items including but not limited to diaper changing stations, potty chairs, tables where food is served, and food prep areas are to be cleaned and sanitized prior to reuse. Cleaning and sanitizing shall not take place while rooms are occupied by children, except for general cleanup activities such as sweeping and vacuuming, and wiping off tables which are part of the daily routine.
(5) If the home's water is not publicly supplied, the provider shall contact the Ohio environmental protection agency (EPA) to determine if it qualifies as a public water system.
(a) If the water supply qualifies as a public water system, the provider shall comply with the Ohio EPA requirements.
(b) If the water supply does not qualify as a public water system, the provider shall contact the local health department to have the water tested and follow any additional requirements requested by the health department. The provider shall retain a copy of the water test in the home and make it available upon request.
(6) On-site sewage disposal systems shall not present a public health hazard.
(B) What are the handwashing requirements for a licensed family child care home?
(1) Handwashing shall occur in a handwashing sink.
(2) Commercially manufactured non-permanent sinks may be used if fresh and waste water are inaccessible to children and disposed of in a sanitary manner.
(3) Handwashing requirements for the family child care provider, child care staff members, employees, and children are detailed in appendix A to this rule.
(C) What are the requirements for a smoke free environment while children are in care in a licensed family child care home?
(1) Smoking and tobacco products including, but not limited to cigarettes, cigars, pipes, chewing tobacco, smokeless tobacco, e-cigarettes, vaporizers and their byproducts is not to be used in the home or in any vehicle used to transport children while they are receiving care.
(2) The provider is to post in a noticeable place at the main entrance of the home, a notice stating that smoking is prohibited while care is being provided.
(3) If smoking occurs in the home or in any vehicle used for transporting children during non-care hours, the provider is to:
(a) Not allow smoking and tobacco products to be visible to children in care.
(b) Ensure the premises and/or vehicle has sufficient ventilation so that the children cannot inhale any smoke.
(c) Issue a written or electronic notice to the parent of each enrolled child. This notice will clearly indicate that smoking occurs in the home or vehicle outside of child care operating hours.
Last updated July 1, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Supplemental Information
Amplifies: 5104.25, 5104.018, 5104.017
Five Year Review Date: 7/1/2031
Prior Effective Dates: 4/1/1982, 5/20/1983, 9/1/1986, 9/5/1986, 2/15/1988, 5/1/1989, 10/15/1996, 10/1/1997 (Emer.), 12/30/1997, 4/1/2003, 7/1/2003, 9/1/2005, 1/1/2007, 9/1/2007, 8/14/2008, 12/1/2009, 7/1/2010, 7/1/2011, 1/1/2014, 11/22/2015, 12/31/2016, 10/29/2017, 10/29/2021