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Licensed Daycare in Lima, Ohio

12 licensed daycares in Lima, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Ohio licensing records.

12
Licensed Centers
1
Infant Care
$920/mo
Ohio avg infant
1:5
State infant ratio

Lima listings updated May 2026 from official Ohio records.

Daycare in Lima: what parents should know

Our directory lists 12 licensed childcare providers in Lima, Ohio, with Preschool the most common type (about 17% of local listings). Every provider here holds a current Ohio license at indexing time, sourced from Ohio Department of Children and Youth — Child Care Licensing.

For age coverage, 1 center in Lima report infant care (roughly 8% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 2 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 2 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.

Licensed care in Lima spans 3+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 17% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.

Combined, Lima's licensed centers hold about 713 licensed seats — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.

Lima childcare by the numbers

12
Licensed providers
713
Licensed child seats
2
Family child care homes
3+
ZIP codes covered

Childcare costs in Lima

ChildCare Aware reports the Ohio average full-time cost at $920/month for infant care and $700/month for preschool. City-level prices in Lima vary by ZIP code and program model — Head Start sites are free for eligible families, family daycare homes typically run 10-30% below center rates, and accredited centers run above the average.

The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 max) reduce effective cost regardless of program. Ohio families may also qualify for Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) (intake: (866) 886-3537).

Full Ohio licensing & cost overview

Quick facts

State regulator
Ohio Department of Children and Youth — Child Care Licensing
Infant ratio
1:5
Toddler ratio
1:7
Preschool ratio
1:14
Avg capacity
59 kids

Largest licensed centers in Lima

By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.

All Lima licensed centers

Page 1 of 1

Open a listing for the full state-registry record — capacity, age range, contact info, and license issue date.

Quick answers about subsidies, costs, and how to vet a provider in this area.

How many licensed daycare centers are in Lima, Ohio?
Our directory lists 12 licensed childcare centers in Lima, Ohio, sourced from Ohio Department of Children and Youth — Child Care Licensing. All listings hold a current state license at indexing time; verify status directly via the state's lookup tool before enrollment.
What's the average daycare cost in Lima?
Statewide averages in Ohio run roughly $920/month for infants and $700/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Lima daycares?
All licensed Ohio centers must meet the state minimum: 1:5 for infants, 1:7 for toddlers, and 1:14 for preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers in Lima typically operate below these ceilings.
Are subsidies available for daycare in Lima?
Ohio families can apply for Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) (intake: (866) 886-3537). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide.
How do I verify a Lima daycare's license?
Look up the provider directly in the official Ohio Department of Children and Youth — Child Care Licensing search. License status is the single most important credential to confirm before enrolling.

Where to get childcare help in Lima

Free, official channels for finding licensed care, checking quality ratings, and applying for assistance — no account or fee required.

Local CCR&R agency

Child Care Resource & Referral counselors help you find vetted local options.

1-800-424-2246 · Find yours
Dial 2-1-1

United Way's free, confidential line connects you to local childcare, food, and family aid.

Call 211 · 211.org
Head Start (free)

Free early education for income-eligible families and pregnant women.

Find a program
State subsidy

Publicly Funded Child Care (PFCC) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.

(866) 886-3537 · How to apply
Quality ratings

Check NAEYC accreditation and your state's quality-rating (QRIS) for any provider.

Find quality care
Verify a license

Confirm any provider's current license & inspection record with Ohio Department of Children and Youth — Child Care Licensing.

Official license search

How this data is sourced. Listings for Lima, Ohio are compiled from official Ohio Department of Children and Youth — Child Care Licensing licensing records and cross-checked for current license status — not paid placements or user star-ratings. Rankings never depend on advertising. Provider details change often, so always confirm directly before enrolling. Reviewed by the DaycareHub editorial team · May 2026 · methodology

Search 12 Licensed Centers in Lima

Free, no signup, verified directly with Ohio Department of Children and Youth — Child Care Licensing.

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