Rule 5180:6-2-02 | Program eligibility and ongoing requirements for the early childhood education grant also known as the Ohio preschool program.
(A) What requirements does an early care and education program have to meet to become eligible to participate in the Ohio preschool program (OPP), as defined in Chapter 5180:6-2 of the Administrative Code, during an open enrollment period?
(1) Be licensed as an early care and education program under Chapter 5104. or Chapter 3301. of the Revised Code to serve preschool age children and eligible to receive public funds.
(2) Be rated silver or gold in the "Step Up To Quality" (SUTQ) program pursuant to Chapter 5180:2-17 of the Administrative Code.
(3) Offer early care and education in high-need areas of the state as indicated by the department of children and youth (DCY) based on data and identified need.
(4) Upon approval, the program is to sign a provider agreement.
(B) What are the ongoing responsibilities for the OPP?
The program is to:
(1) Enroll and serve children determined eligible for OPP in the Ohio benefits (OB) integrated eligibility system and authorized in the time, attendance, and payment (TAP) system.
(2) Document all hours of service provided to OPP authorized children.
(3) Keep a schedule that details the start and stop dates and the specific twelve and one-half hours per week authorized by the OPP.
(4) Submit a calendar that details days of operation for the year with start and end times for all OPP hours.
(5) Participate in the OPP for a minimum of six months during the state fiscal year. The state fiscal year is defined as July first through June thirtieth. Failure to participate for a minimum of six months will result in a loss of funding.
(6) Keep a report of teacher qualifications, student enrollment, student attendance, assessment scores, disability category and demographic data for OPP authorized children.
(7) Develop and follow a program attendance policy for all OPP authorized children.
(8) Ensure attendance is entered daily into a DCY approved automated attendance system and submitted within fourteen calendar days.
(9) Submit initial site location(s) and slots designated for each site by June fifteenth of the prior state fiscal year.
(10) Submit any updated site locations and slots designated for each site by September thirtieth of the state fiscal year.
(11) Complete a child assessment and provide DCY with scores for OPP authorized children twice annually in the fall and spring.
(12) Request or return slots through the Ohio statewide licensing system.
(13) Provide the minimum required hours of part-day and full-day services each year. Part-day is no less than twelve and one half hours per week, and full-day is no less than twenty-five hours per week.
(14) Maintain teacher qualifications and OPP staff designation in the Ohio professional registry (OPR) at the beginning of each state fiscal year.
(C) What are the requirements for programs to remain eligible for the OPP?
The program is to:
(1) Comply with all licensing standards prescribed in Chapter 5104. or Chapter 3301. of the Revised Code.
(2) Maintain a silver or gold rating level in the SUTQ program pursuant to Chapter 5180:2-17 of the Administrative Code.
(3) Meet teacher qualification requirements as applicable under section 3301.311 of the Revised Code.
(4) Ensure teachers, except teachers enrolled and working to obtain a degree pursuant to section 3301.311 of the Revised Code, complete a minimum of twenty hours of professional development every two years.
(5) Submit to the county department of job and family services (CDJFS), within seven days of the date the program receives from the family a valid JFS 07200 "Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Cash, Medical, and/or Early Care and Education (ECE) Assistance Application" containing required name, address and signature, and any documentation unless another timeframe is agreed to by the program and the local CDJFS.
(6) Meet child assessment requirements as outlined in paragraph (B)(11) of this rule.
(7) Document and report child progress to DCY, including but not limited to results of assessments, methods used to monitor child success, and future instructional strategies.
(8) Communicate and collaborate with the CDJFS regarding eligibility determinations and authorizations for OPP children, including reporting changes in site locations for enrolled children.
(D) What are the monitoring requirements for OPP?
The program is to:
(1) Comply with monitoring visits, announced or unannounced, during the operating hours of the program.
(2) Participate in a risk assessment.
(3) Submit any requested documents to DCY within five business days of a monitoring visit or risk assessment, this can include but is not limited to review of weekly enrollment and attendance data and review of fiscal requirements.
(E) What are the steps taken when DCY determines that a program is not in compliance with Chapter 5180:6-2 of the Administrative Code, and/or Chapter 5104. or 3301. of the Revised Code and a corrective action plan is necessary?
If the program is not in compliance:
(1) DCY notifies the program of the identified noncompliance and the required corrective action to address the deficiency.
(2) The program is to complete the corrective action plan within the timeframe determined by DCY.
(3) The program is to comply with any additional on-site monitoring visits to determine OPP compliance.
(F) What are the reasons why a program may become ineligible to participate in the OPP?
(1) Failure to maintain a silver or gold SUTQ rating.
(2) Failure to maintain a current, signed provider agreement on file for OPP services.
(3) Noncompliance with this chapter and Chapter 5180:6-1 of the Administrative Code or Chapter 5104. of the Revised Code.
(4) Suspension or revocation of the license of the early care and education program operating the OPP.
(5) Fraud or misuse of funds.
(6) Failure to submit required reports or other required submissions.
(G) What happens if an OPP waives its right to OPP funding or has its funding eliminated for failure to meet financial or OPP requirements?
(1) The program is to return any unexpended or overpaid funds to DCY.
(2) The program may be subject to payment recovery or to participate in any repayment plans for any unexpended, overpaid, fraudulent or misused funds.
(3) DCY may reallocate waived funds for new program awards or program expansion to eligible programs.
(H) What are the payment and recovery procedures for the OPP?
(1) Funds are disbursed on a quarterly basis, through the DCY designated system, subject to availability of funds.
(2) OPP funding is awarded as a slot-based allocation. The total slot allocation represents the program's annual budget.
(a) The annual part day slot rate is four thousand two hundred fifty dollars.
(b) The annual full day slot rate is eight thousand five hundred dollars.
(3) Payment is provided on a reimbursement basis and based on enrollment, attendance data, and compliance with program requirements.
(4) Program will only receive funding for children determined eligible in the OB integrated eligibility system and authorized TAP system.
(5) When a child vacates a slot, the program is expected to fill the allocated slot with another eligible and authorized child.
(6) Funds are used only for allowable purposes identified in the OPP provider agreement.
(7) DCY will recover any funds disbursed in error.
Last updated August 3, 2026 at 8:51 AM
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