Legislative Intent - The Florida Statutes (F.S.) outline the legislative intent of the child care regulations
also supports the research, which
... [Show More] indicates that children in quality early childhood education programs have better outcomes throughout their lives than children who are not in such programs
The licensing standards established by the Department address the: - Physical environment (health, sanitation, safety, and physical surroundings)
Children in care (health, nutrition, and development)
Rules and Regulations - a law, rule, ordinance, or other order prescribed by authority, especially to regulate conduct. Rules and regulations exist to protect the health and safety of children in out-of-home care.
The Department of Children and Families' Office of Child Care Regulation - he licensing authority and currently regulates licensed child care facilities, licensed family day care homes, licensed large family child care homes, and licensed mildly ill facilities in most counties in Florida
Child care provided between the hours of 6 p.m. on Friday and 6 a.m. on Monday - weekend child care
Includes all owners, operators, employees, and volunteers working in a child care facility - child care personnel
Actively watching and directing children's activities within the same space, and responding to the needs of each child while in care - direct supervision
On-site administrator or individual who has the primary responsibility for the day-to-day operation, supervision, and administration of a child care facility - director
Directly supervised volunteers who participate in the federal program pursuant to 45 Code of Federal Regulations part 2552; they work with one or more children with special or exceptional needs in child care programs - foster grandparents
A space or room in which care is provided or classes are held, and where learning can take place uninterrupted by outside distractions - classroom/room/designated space
The boundaries that define a classroom space, which are constructed in a sturdy manner and anchored so they are stable and secure and do not pose a threat of falling over - stable walls or barriers
Means the Department of Children and Families - department
The process of destroying or reducing organisms to a safe level - sanitize
The person who is licensed to operate the child care facility - owner
child care - the care, protection, and supervision of a child for a period of less than 24 hours a day 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
main types of child care programs in Florida are - Child Care Facilities
Specialized Child Care Mildly Ill Facilities
Family Day Care Homes
Large Family Child Care Homes
school-age child care program - specific program providing care before and after school or during school closures to school-age children exclusively.
must be licensed prior to operation and for continued operation, unless the program demonstrates that it is exempt because it is located on a public/nonpublic school school site
school-age child care program must follow - Operated and staffed directly by that school or through a formal agreement
Serving only the school-age children attending the school during the day
Following the standards set forth by the Florida Building Code State Requirements for Public Educational Facilities
Every child care program is licensed? - every year
What is the name of the DCF brochure on selecting a child care provider? - Know your childcare facility
Fines can be levied against a licensee that is out of compliance. - true
Including a child with special needs in your program makes a positive impact on the lives of many people? - true
child care for the midly ill - the care of children with short-term illness or symptoms of illness or disability. Care is provided either as an exclusive service in a center specialized for this purpose or as a component of other child care services offered in a distinct part of a regularly licensed child care facility, for a period of less than 24 hours per day
specialized child care facilities - are licensed programs that provide child care for more than five mildly ill children unrelated to the operator, which receive a payment, fee, or grant for any of the children receiving care, wherever operated, and whether or not operated for profit. These programs were created by the Legislature in order to implement standards, in conjunction with the Florida Department of Health, specific to caring for mildly ill children, such as those with the flu
drop in child care - a child care arrangement where families occasionally leave their child for no more than four hours but remain on the premises, such as child care at a shopping mall. A communication system must be provided to the family to ensure they can return immediately to the child if necessary.
evening child care - child care provided during the evening hours, which are defined as 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 a.m. During evening child care, personnel must remain awake at all times. When children are awake, child care personnel must provide direct supervision. When children are sleeping, staff must be within sight and hearing of all children. While children are sleeping, there must be enough staff to meet the staff-to-child ratios within the building, on the same floor; and they must be available to respond, if needed. If a program only provides evening child care, they are not required to provide outdoor space. The program director is not required to have a Director Credential, nor do staff need to have staff credentials.
access - During the child care program's operational hours and the times the children are in care, the program must allow parents, guardians, and the licensing authority access to the program. A parent or guardian must have access to the child care program in person and by telephone.
programs exempt from licensure - Public and Non-Public Schools—School Day
Programs for Children Grades Six and Above
School-Age Programs That Meet Certain Criteria
Instructional/Tutorial Programs
Open Access Programs
National Membership Organizations That Meet Certain Criteria
Summer Day Camps and 24-hour Camps
Vacation Bible Schools
Transient Establishments (hotels, resorts, and similar establishments)
Non-Custodial In Home Care
Religious Exemption Pursuant To s. 402.316, F.S.
public and non public schools- school day - school programs for preschool-age children that are operated and staffed directly by the school and that meet age-appropriate standards as adopted by the State Board of Education are exempt from licensure. Also exempt are the integral programs offered by public schools for children under three years of age who are eligible for participation in the program under provisions of Public Law No. 94-142 or Public Law No. 99-457. These programs may only provide child care before or afterschool and during school holidays, such as a teacher planning day.
programs fro children grades 6 and up - These programs are not designated as Gold Seal Quality Care providers, and they provide child care exclusively for children in grades six and above
school age programs that meet certain criteria - If the program is located on a public or non-public school site, is operated directly by that school, and serves only school-age children who attend the school during the day, then it is exempt from licensure. The program may provide services during any out-of-school times, including before school, after school, on teacher planning days, holidays, and intercessions that occur during the school district's academic calendar year. They must follow standards set by the Florida Building Code State Requirements for Public Educational Facilities.
instructional/tutorial programs - Have a single instructional/tutorial purpose
Is the only service they provide
Cannot cater, serve, or prepare meals
Instructional/tutorial session may not exceed two hours for one session or three hours for a session with multiple academic areas
Instructional and tutorial programs cannot be designated as Gold Seal and cannot contract to deliver a School Readiness program.
open access programs - Operate for less than four hours per day,
Including any out-of-school times, such as before school, after school, on teacher planning days, holidays, and intercessions that occur during the school district's official academic calendar year
Do not
Assume responsibility for supervision
Provide transportation for field trips
Serve or prepare any meals
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national membership organizations that meet certain criteria - Recognized in at least ten states,
Which are created for the purpose of providing activities that contribute to the development of good character/good sportsmanship
Must comply with the association's purposes and procedures;
Meet minimum standards; and
Be in good standing for all of their before school, after school, and out-of-school programs [Show Less]