Section 5101:2-17-03 - "Step Up To Quality" (SUTQ): desk reviews, on-site verification visits and bronze, silver, or gold rating awards(A) What programs qualify for a desk review? Programs who are eligible pursuant to rule 5101:2-17-02 of the Administrative Code and have submitted a completed registration.
(B) How is the bronze, silver, or gold rating awarded? (1) The program is not to be awarded a rating higher than was confirmed by the program during the registration process.(2) A program is not to be awarded a rating, or a lower rating may be assessed, if at the desk review or on-site verification visit the program does not meet the standards for the rating the program confirmed at registration.(C) How is a deferral issued? (1) A deferral may be issued at the conclusion of the electronic or on-site verification visit if the program cannot demonstrate it is meeting the standards.(2) If the program cannot meet the deferral requirement within the time frame given, a lesser rating may be awarded.(D) When is a program's bronze, silver, or gold rating effective? The rating award of bronze, silver, or gold is to be effective:
(1) The Sunday following the thirtieth day after the completion of the on-site verification visit.(2) If a deferral was issued, the Sunday following the thirtieth day after the end of the deferral period.(3) The Sunday following the thirtieth day after the focused review or the deferral due date.(4) The Sunday following approval or license begin date, whichever is later, after: (b) A rating is awarded pursuant to paragraph (G) of this rule.(E) How long does a rating award last? A program's rating award will be continuous from their effective date except for programs with specialized ratings. Programs wishing to change their rating are to submit an ongoing registration.
(F) When does a program receive a full on-site verification visit to review all quality standards? (1) A bronze rated program will receive a full on-site verification visit every other year.(2) A silver or gold rated program will receive a full on-site verification visit every three years.(G) What are the requirements to obtain a specialized rating if a program owner, with multiple rated programs, wants to have a new program's rating expedited? (1) The program is to request the rating in the Ohio child licensing and quality system (OCLQS) at https://oclqs.my.site.com during the application process or within the first thirty days of the provisional license period.(2) The program's owner is to own multiple licensed programs that include the following: (a) At least fifty per cent of the owner's programs are rated a bronze, silver, or gold; and(b) Two or more of the programs are rated a silver or gold.(3) The rating awarded is equal to the lowest rating of the silver and gold rated program if the program meets the following: (a) All administrator and staff qualifications are to be met pursuant to appendix A to rule 5101:2-17-01 of the Administrative Code for the rating to be awarded.(b) The program implements a verified written, researched-based, comprehensive curriculum and formal child assessment pursuant to appendix A to rule 5101:2-17-01 of the Administrative Code.(4) If the program is unable to meet the requirements of paragraph (G)(3) of this rule, a lesser rating may be awarded.(5) In order to continue the bronze, silver, or gold rating, the program is to:(a) Submit an ongoing registration within one hundred twenty days of the rating begin date; and(b) Comply with a desk review including documents returned for revision and the on-site verification visit.(6) If the new program fails to comply with paragraph (G)(5) of this rule, the rating is to be discontinued one hundred twenty days after the rating begin date.(H) What are the requirements to continue a rating if the program's owner changes?(1) An initial program applicant may be awarded a bronze, silver, or gold rating when the owner is changing if the following requirements are met:(a) The bronze, silver, or gold rating has been awarded for the previous thirteen months.(b) The new program requests the rating in OCLQS during the application process or within the first thirty days of the provisional license period.(2) The bronze, silver, or gold rating award is to equal the current rating if the program meets the following: (a) All administrator and staff qualifications are to be met pursuant to appendix A to rule 5101:2-17-01 of the Administrative Code for the rating to be awarded.(b) The program implements a verified written, researched-based, comprehensive curriculum and formal child assessment pursuant to appendix A to rule 5101:2-17-01 of the Administrative Code as set forth by the verification process.(3) If the program is unable to meet all of the requirements of paragraph (H)(2) of this rule, a lesser rating may be awarded.(4) In order to continue the rating, the program is to: (a) Submit an ongoing registration within one hundred twenty days of the rating begin date: and(b) Comply with a desk review including documents returned for revision and the on-site verification visit.(5) If the program fails to comply with paragraph (H)(4) of this rule, the rating is to be discontinued one hundred twenty days after the rating begin date.(I) Will the rating continue if a program changes its location? Yes the rating will be continued provided the change is done in accordance with rules 5101:2-12-02, 5101:2-13-02, 3301-37-02, and 3301-32-11 of the Administrative Code.
(J) If a rated family child care provider with a bronze, silver, or gold changes from a licensed type A home to a licensed type B home or from a licensed type B home to a licensed type A home, will the rating continue? Yes the rating will be continued.
(K) Will the rating be reinstated if a program was previously rated and the rating was discontinued due to the program being in temporary closure status for more than one hundred eighty days pursuant to rule 5101:2-12-02 or 5101:2-13-02 of the Administrative Code? A program's rating will automatically be reinstated to the previous rating when the license is reactivated. The new rating effective date will be the Sunday following the Ohio department of children and youth (DCY) approval.
(1) Once the reinstated rating has been awarded, in order to continue the rating, the program is to:(a) Submit an ongoing registration within sixty days of the rating begin date.(b) Comply with a desk review including documents returned for revision and the on-site verification visit.(2) What if the program fails to comply with paragraph (K)(1) of this rule? The rating is to be discontinued sixty-one days after the rating is reinstated.
(L) What if a licensed program is determined not to be meeting any of the standards outlined in appendix A to rule 5101:2-17-01 of the Administrative Code? The program is to:
(1) Comply with any desk reviews or on-site verification visits.(2) Submit any documents requested by the licensing entity. Replaces: 5101:2-17-03
Ohio Admin. Code 5101:2-17-03
Effective: 7/7/2024
Five Year Review (FYR) Dates: 07/07/2029
Promulgated Under: 119.03
Statutory Authority: 5104.29
Rule Amplifies: 5104.29, 5104.31
Prior Effective Dates: 10/01/2013, 07/20/2014, 05/24/2015, 09/28/2015, 06/26/2016, 12/31/2016, 01/06/2019, 03/29/2020