Notes

A child care facility is a program that cares for more than five children who are unrelated to the operator in exchange for compensation.

A family day care home is one that provides care for children from at least two unrelated families for compensation. These programs can be either licensed or registered. Registered family homes are not inspected, but still must provide key documentation to DCF. Many family day care homes choose to be licensed to show they meet the State’s minimum requirements and are routinely inspected.

A large family child care home is one that provides care for children from at least two unrelated families in exchange for compensation, and which has at least two full time child care personnel on the premises during the hours of operation, one of whom is the owner or occupant of the residence.

School-age child care programs can take place in both facilities and homes. This term refers to programs that care for children from kindergarten-age through age 18. Some of these programs that meet certain requirements are exempt from licensure, as are a few others.

The types of child care programs recognized by law include child care facilities, family day care homes, large family child care homes, and school-age child care programs
Registered Family Day Care Homes
Public and Non-Public Schools—School Day
Programs for Children Grades Six and Above
School-Age Programs on School Sites 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.
The Florida Statutes, the Florida Administrative Code, and specific program handbooks set out the legal minimum standards for child care.
Florida Statutes (F.S.)
(1) “Child care” means 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.
Florida Administrative Code (F.A.C.)
Direct supervision means actively watching and directing children’s activities within the same room or designated outdoor play area, during transportation, any activity outside of the facility, and responding to the needs of each child while in care.

Child care facility handbook
Child care personnel must be assigned to provide direct supervision to a specific group of children and be with that group of children at all times. Children must never be left inside or outside the facility, in a vehicle, or at a field trip location by themselves.
Caring for Our Children and professional organization helps early childhood educators provide quality child care through professional best practices.
Child care practices:
Read aloud to children at least once a day
When diapering, always keep one hand on the child
Join children’s play by suggesting props and new storylines
Engage all children—even infants—in turn-taking conversations
Instead of saying “no” and “don’t,” offer an acceptable positive alternative, such as “Please use walking feet.”

Where can you find laws related to child care?
Florida Statutes
Where can you find rules and regulations related to child care?
Florida Administrative Code
DCF’s Child Care Handbooks
Where can you find child care’s best practices?
Caring for Our Children
Professional Organizations
Where can you get an answer to a licensing question?
Florida Statutes
Florida Administrative Code
DCF’s Child Care Handbooks
Professional Organization
Regulatory Agency
Ethics are the moral underpinnings of any professional practice. Professional ethics for people who work in the field of child care are found in the National Association for the Education of Young Children’s Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment. The Code provides a framework for making decisions in the program for teachers and administrators.
The Office of Early Learning (OEL) offers its Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is the child care professional’s indispensable guide for everything from developmental milestone charts to keeping up with outbreaks of contagious illnesses to diseases, conditions, and disabilities to providing insight into mental health in childhood.
The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) offers Choose MyPlate for kids.
National Association for the Education of Young Children-For people who provide care in all types of programs for children from birth through eight years of age
National AfterSchool Association-For people who provide care in all types of programs for children from birth through eight years of age
National Association for Family Child Care-For people who provide care in their private residences to children of all ages
National Head Start Association-For people who provide care in these federally funded programs for children living in poverty
ZERO TO THREE-For people who are interested in exploring the value of nurturing relationships to very young children