Florida State Requirements

Qualifications:
Caregivers in charge of a group: Must be at least 18 and must complete the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services approved introductory training course.

Provider/Child Ratio:

Age Range Florida Ratios For Small Family Child Care
Total Number of Children Allowed: 2-10
Maximum Number of Children to One Provider: 10, if no more than 5
are preschool-age,
with no more than 2 younger than 1 year;
6 preschool, if none younger than 1 year;
6, with 3 younger than 1 year;
4, if all younger than 1 year
Provider's Own Children Counted: Yes; If under age 13
Maximum Number of Infants/Toddlers to One Provider: 4 younger than 1 year

Age Range Florida Ratios For Large Family Child Care
Total Number of Children Allowed: Up to 12
Ratio of Children to One Provider: 8:2 If all children are birth to 24-mos
12:2 If no more than 4 are under 24-mos
Provider's Own Children Counted: Yes, if younger than age 13

Childcare Arrangements:
The Department currently regulates the following child care settings:

• Licensed Child Care Facilities
• Licensed Family Child Care Homes
• Licensed Large Family Child Care Homes
• Licensed Specialized Child Care Facilities for the Care of Mildly Ill Children
• Registered Family Day Care Homes*

*As registered family day care homes are not licensed, they are not subject to onsite inspections.

Registered Family Day Care Homes in Florida:
Though registered homes are not licenced or inspected by the Department, they are required to provide registration information on an annual basis that includes, but is not limited to: proof of training, background screening, and completion of a self-evaluation checklist.

Child Care Training:
Child care training is an important component and statutory requirement of the child care licensing program.
Educating child care personnel is an essential determinant of the quality of service that children receive while
in care.

The following is a brief summary of some of the training that is required of child care personnel:

Child Care Facility Personnel: Must complete 40 hours of department approved training and subsequently
pass a competency exam. Additionally, a minimum of 10 hours in-service training is required annually. (Note:
This requirement does not apply to volunteers who work less than 40 hours per week and are under constant and direct supervision.)

Family Day Care Home Operators: Must complete 30 hours of department approved training and subsequently pass a competency exam. Additionally, a minimum of 10 hours in-service training is required annually.

Large Family Child Care Operators: Must complete 40 hours of department approved training and subsequently pass a competency exam. Additionally, a minimum of 10 hours in-service training is required annually.

Important Contact Information:
Child Care Licensing Agency
Florida Department of Children & Families
1317 Winewood Boulevard
Building 1, Room 202
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700
Phone: (850) 487-1111
Fax: (850) 922-2993

Child Care Subsidy Agency
Agency for Workforce Innovation
Office of Early Learning
107 East Madison Street
MSC-140
Tallahassee, FL 32399-4120
Phone: (850) 921-3180
Toll Free: (866) FL-READY (866-357-3239)
Fax: (850) 921-3188

Head Start - State Collaboration Office
The Holland Building
600 South Calhoun Street, Suite 202
Tallahassee, FL, 32399-4143
Phone: (850) 921-3467
Fax: (850) 488-7099

Child Care Food Program Agency
Food and Nutrition Management Section
Florida Department of Education
325 West Gaines Street, Room 1014
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-0400
Phone: (800) 504-6609
Phone: (850) 245-9262
Phone: (850) 245.4323
Fax: (850) 245-9287

Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
Agency for Workforce Innovation, Office of Early Learning
107 East Madison Street
Caldwell Building, MSC 140
Tallahassee, FL 32399-4120
Phone: (850) 921-3180
Toll Free: (866) 357-3239
Fax: (850) 921-3188

Office of Child Support Enforcement
Child Support Enforcement
Department of Revenue
P.O. Box 8030
Tallahassee, Florida 32399-7016
Phone: (850) 488-8726
Fax: (850) 921-0792