DCF
ANSWER : Department of Children and Families
DCF Responsibilities
ANSWER : Administration of child care licensing and training Ensuring children
... [Show More] are well cared for in a
safe, healthy, positive, and educational environment by trained, qualified child care staff This agency
determines state rules pertaining to child care and enforces these rules by licensing and inspecting child
care facilities.
Child Care Professionals Roles and Responsibilities
ANSWER : -must know, understand, and follow the laws and the rules and regulations to protect the
health and safety of children in care
-keep children safe
-provide good nutrition and a healthy environment
-create a quality environment for learning
Name the key agencies that partner with the Department to regulate child care.
ANSWER : Local Fire Departments / Certified Fire Safety Inspectors
County Agencies
Local Licensing Agencies
Child care laws, rules, and regulations are in place to protect
ANSWER : children, families, and child care professionals
Office of Child Care Regulation and Background Screening
ANSWER : licensing authority, regulates licensed child care facilities in most counties in Florida
Local County Government Agencies
ANSWER : Effect childcare through Zoning and Building, Septic and Well, Etc...
City/Municipal Police Dept.
ANSWER : Effect childcare through back ground checks and screenings of child care providers
Child Care
ANSWER : care, protection and supervision of a child for a period of less than 24 hours on a regular
basis, which supplements parental care, enrichment, and health supervision for the child in accordance
with his or her individual needs, and for which a payment, fee or grant is made for care. (Defined in
402.302)
DCF's Office of Child Care Regulations mission:
ANSWER : To ensure the health, safety, and well being of the children of the state while in care through
licensing and regulatory activities
The licensing standards established by the Department address
ANSWER : Physical Environment (health, sanitation, safety, and physical surroundings)
Children in Care (health, nutrition, and development)
Regulation
ANSWER : a law, rule, ordinance, or other order prescribed by authority to regulate conduct
What is the intent of the Legislature?
ANSWER : To protect the health and welfare of children
To develop
a regulatory framework that promotes the growth and stability of the child care industry and facilitates
the safe physical, intellectual, motor, and social development of the child.
Child Care Regulation Program
ANSWER : is responsible for regulating programs that provide services that meet the statutory definition
of "child care." This is accomplished
through the inspection of licensed child care programs to ensure the consistent statewide application of
child care standards established in statute and rule, and the registration of child care providers not
subject to inspection.
Minimum Age Requirements
ANSWER : A staff person at least 21 years of age must be in charge of the program and must be on
the premises at all times during operating hours.
Mixed Age Groups
ANSWER : A. In groups of mixed age ranges, where children under one year of age are
included, one staff member must be responsible for no more than four children
of any age group, at all times.
B. In groups of mixed age ranges, where children one year of age but under two
years of age are included, one staff member must be responsible for no more
than six children of any age group, at all times
In addition to the number of staff required to meet the staff-to-child ratio,
ANSWER : one additional adult must attend field trips away from the child care facility to help
provide direct supervision. The individual could be a parent volunteer as long as that person is under
direct and constant supervision of a screened and trained staff member.
Nap time supervision
ANSWER : During nap time, staff must be within sight and hearing of all the children. All other
staff required to meet the staff-to-child ratio must be within the building on the same floor and available
to be summoned if needed to ensure the safety of the children.
Nap time supervision does not apply to children up to 24 months of age, who must
have direct supervision at all times.
Evening Supervision
ANSWER : During evening child care hours, staff must remain awake at all times. While
children are awake, direct supervision must be provided.
Meal time Supervision
ANSWER : A. During feeding times, children must be individually fed and provided their own
tableware. Children must be supervised appropriately for their ages and
developmental abilities, to monitor the size of food and that children are eating
accordingly.
B. Infants must be held for bottle feedings until they are developmentally ready to
sit in an age appropriate chair with good head control. Children must not be lef
in high chairs or other types of feeding chairs other than feeding times. The
use of safety straps is required to prevent children from falling out of the high
chair.
C. There must not be any propped bottles. If a child cannot hold the bottle, a staff
person or volunteer must hold the bottle during feeding. There must be no
automatic feeding devices unless prescribed by a doctor and documentation is
available in the child's file. [Show Less]