The Licensing Standards for Day Care Centres in the State of Florida or the Florida Administrative Code Child Care Standards imposes strictly its provisions.
to those who want to establish their own day care centres in the state of Florida, it is important to review the Licensing Standards for you to have a license as it is the basis whether the state will give you a license or not. The general requirements for licensing, policies and procedures as well as the requirements for the personnel in the day care are being stated in the licensing standards.
Classes offered through the State
In the state of Florida, the state’s Department of Children and Family recommends courses such as early childhood education, childhood development, and child care management; thus, these courses are being offered in the state’s colleges and universities.
In addition, closely-related courses on childcare are accepted by the state. Common classes on early childhood education or childhood development include Early Childhood Education, Literacy Development, and Special Needs Children, Keeping Records and Assessing Children, and Professional Behaviour.
Day care providers should also enrol in general education classes such as Mathematics, Writing, Sociology, Science, Psychology, and Communication.
Certifications Given for Completed Classes
The state of Florida has several certifications that they offer to day care providers after passing classes or coursework for childcare.
- Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC) – This credential is given after successfully completing the department-approved training program which is composed of not less than 120 hours of early childhood instruction, 480 contact hours with children which age ranges from birth to eight (8) years old. In addition, this also requires at least two methods of formal assessment that offers two areas of certification.
- Florida Department of Education Child Care Apprenticeship Certificate (CCAC) – Similar to the FCCPC, this credential requires the 120 hours of early childhood instruction and 480 contact hours with children ages from birth to eight years old. The only difference is that they should meet or exceed the requirements under a specific section of the Licensing Standards of the state, which is in Section 402.305(3)(c).
- Florida Department of Education Early Childhood Professional Certificate (ECPC) – This credential has the same requirements to the CCAC.
- Child Development Associate (CDA) – This certificate is given to those staffs or teachers that have completed at least 4.5 continuing education units or a 3-credit-hour course for renewal. Classes or courses that can be credited for CDA include early childhood education and development, mental health counseling and principles of adult learning. For those renewal candidates, they are required to acquire 80-hour work experience either with young children or their families in the previous years. They should also become a member of any local or national early childhood professional organization as well as earn first aid certification.
- National Administrator Credential (NAC) – This certificate is intended for current and aspiring childcare managers and directors. Discussed issues include managing staff, maintaining facilities and developing programs. The NAC certification is needed to be renewed every two (2) years through completion of 20-hour work in either business or administration.
Also, the state requires day care providers and their staff to take First Aid course or CPR trainings (cardiopulmonary-resuscitations).
Cost of the Classes
The cost of childcare degrees in the state of Florida ranges from $1,000 to $5,000 per year. The rate of tuition is dependent on the degree level and the university you are enrolled to. Also, there are private institutions that offer subject classes, the rate ranges from $40 to $150. This rate depends on the class you are taking and the number of hours.
For trainings such as First Aid or CPR, it may be offered by the government and are very cheap or no charge at all.
Required Classes that Day Care Providers Should Take
According to the Licensing Standards of Florida, workers should be at least 18 years older while the director or provider should be at least 21 years old. The director and other personnel are required to have the necessary credentials and certificate listed in the previous section. Thus, in obtaining the credentials and certifications, they need to undergo the required working hours as well as the required classes.
Child Care Facility Rules and Regulation, Health, Safety, and Nutrition, Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect, School Age-Appropriate Practices, Child Growth and Development, Behavioral Observation and Screening, Infant and Toddler Appropriate Practices, Preschool Appropriate Practices, Special Needs Appropriate Practices, Basic Guidance and Discipline, Early Literacy for Children Ages Birth Through Three, Early Childhood Computer Learning Centers, and Emergent Literacy for Voluntary Pre-Kindergarten (VPK) Instructors are some of the classes that day care providers should take.
Links and Contact Information for Class Application
For those who want to establish their own daycare or interested in daycare job positions, you can contact your state departments for inquiries about day care classes, child care trainings, and the licensing standards. Listed here are government agencies of the State of Florida that you can contact:
Child Care Licensing Agency
Mailing:
Florida Department of Children & Families
1317 Winewood Boulevard
Building 1, Room 202
Tallahassee, FL 32399-0700
Phone: (850) 487-1111
Fax: (850) 922-2993
Head Start – State Collaboration Office
Mailing:
The Holland Building
600 South Calhoun Street, Suite 202
Tallahassee, FL, 32399-4143
Phone: (850) 921-3467
Fax: (850) 488-7099
Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
Mailing:
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
