Ohio provides pre-k services through the state's Early Childhood Education program (formerly known as Public Preschool). While funding goes directly to public schools, they are encouraged to subcontract with Head Start, Ohio's Early Learning Initiative, and child care centers to provide the program. Programs initially followed the federal Head Start Performance Standards, but now, the state uses its own pre-k standards, the Ohio Early Learning Program Guidelines.

In response to growing interest by local leadership, advocates and state agency administration, three key initiatives were developed to rebuild Ohio's commitment to young children. First, the Ohio Early Care and Education Campaign (OECEC) was formed and established a strategic advocacy plan to address the educational, physical, and social and emotional needs of children ages birth through six. Second, the School Readiness Task Force was commissioned by the state board of education to create a road map for the development of an early care and education system, birth through kindergarten, to ensure that high-quality early learning experiences are available to every Ohio child by 2015. Finally, Build Ohio convened an alliance of individuals and representatives of state organizations to build awareness and support for increasing investments, to link and coordinate state and local professional development services, and to support systems design.

Due to all of these efforts, early childhood issues are becoming a priority for the state once again.