The Department of Children and Families (DCF) licenses child care centers unless there is a local county ordinance that exists that authorizes another group to license centers. DCF has district licensing offices throughout the state, so please see the DCFs web address for contact information:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/licensing.shtml

The web site has licensing information on the lower left and contact information on the lower right. The licensing rule for DCF licensed child care centers is Chapter 65C-22 of the Florida Administrative Code (FAC):

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/laws.shtml

Additionally, you would want to contact the local County Health Department (CHD) for any food service at the child care center prior to any center construction, opening, change of ownership or purchase. The CHD will walk you through any required food licensing standards (Chapter 64E-11, FAC) and plan review,

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/Environment/facility/food/index.html

Additionally, the CHD also regulates the physical plant inspection at child care centers as part of the licensing agreement with DCF.

We are in the process of beginning to construct a child care center. Who has the jurisdiction over child care centers and who should I contact in order to attain the proper licenses for such a center?

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) licenses child care centers. DCF has district licensing offices throughout the state, so please see the DCFs web address for contact information:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/licensing.shtml

The web site has licensing information on the lower left and contact information on the lower right. The licensing rule and statute for DCF licensed child care centers is Chapter 65C-22, FAC. You can find it at the following web address:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/laws.shtml

Additionally, you would want to contact the County Health Department (CHD) for any food service at the child care center prior to construction or opening to avoid expensive retrofitting of equipment or plumbing (air gapped/safe-wasted drains). The CHD will walk you through any required food licensing standards ( Chapter 64E-11, FAC http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/facility/food/index.html).

Additionally, the CHD also regulates the physical plant inspection at child care centers as part of the licensing agreement with DCF, so a physical plant inspection will also be conducted by the local CHD environmental health staff.

Who can I contact that can go to my childs child care center and do a head check for lice?

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the licensing agency for child care centers in 60 or the 67 Florida counties and can address lice issues in child care centers. You may be interested in visiting their website at:

http://www.state.fl.us/cf_web/ (opens in new window)

I am currently enrolling my child in a new child care center in our area. How can I find out if there have been any complaints filed against this child care?

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) licenses child care centers in Florida. DCF has district licensing offices throughout the state and staff who conduct routine inspections and complaint investigations at licensed child care facilities. Contact the local DCF licensing office for the county the child care center is located in and follow up with your questions regarding complaints and any noncompliant issues at the center you are considering:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/ (opens in new window)

To search for a provider in your county or a specific child care center, you can use the following DCF web site:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/programs/childcare/ (opens in new window)

This has DCF inspection reports posted too, which may save you a trip to their office to review these details.

Additionally, the Department of Health, through the local county health department (CHD), does conduct routine group care (physical plant) and food hygiene inspections at DCF licensed child care centers. You can call the local CHD Environmental Health section and schedule a time to review the environmental health files for various violations, disease outbreaks, and environmental complaints that have occurred at the center you are considering.

Is there a site that verifies certifications of child day care workers? Is there a site that lists the names of certified people?

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) licenses child care centers in Florida. DCF has district licensing offices throughout the state and staff who conduct routine inspections and complaint investigations at licensed child care facilities. In addition, the local DCF office maintains a data base of certified persons. To access or review these records, contact the local DCF licensing office for your area. They do require three to five working days notice when making arrangements to review information:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/dcfspecialiststc.shtml

I wish to open a babysitting company. Are there special licenses that are required and/or any special training that is needed?

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) licenses certain child care providers unless there is a local county ordinance that exists. DCF would make any decisions as to what is considered child care and any applicable requirements. DCF has district licensing offices throughout the state, so please see the DCFs web address for contact information:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/licensing.shtml

The web site has licensing information on the lower left and contact information on the lower right.

I wanted to get information on becoming a licensed in home daycare provider. I know that I need the 30 or 40 hour course; I just can't seem to find information about when the class is held or how to sign up.

The 30 or 40 hour course required for child care operators is offered by different providers depending upon the county in which the center will be located. Attached is a link to the training information provided by the Department of Children and Families website:

https://training01-dcf.myflorida.com/dcf/cct/reg/courseselector (opens in new window)

On this page, about half way down, you can select the county you are in and search for the child care training schedule for that county.

Further questions regarding becoming a licensed child care provider may be found at the following link:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/licensing.shtml

I have two friends who would like me to watch their children in my home. Do I need a license to watch their children?

In 60 of the 67 Florida counties, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) oversees the licensure or registration of these types of child care providers. You can find information on licensing or registration on DCFs website:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare

and

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/licensing.shtml

The DCF office can also be contacted at:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/

To determine if the proposed services you intend to offer at your home is deemed providing child care, contact the child care regulatory agency for your county using the link provided.

Where would I make a complaint about a child care facility in my local area?

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) licenses child care centers in 60 of the 67 counties in Florida. I suggest contacting the local child care licensing program manager in the county and provide them with the details and facility information related to your complaint for investigation.

Additionally, the Department of Health, through the local county health department (CHD), does license food service operations in child care centers. Any part of your complaint regarding food service issues should be forwarded to the CHD food hygiene coordinator for investigation:

http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/community/food/index.html

Could a playground for a child care center be built on top of an existing retention pond?

If the playground was built to meet standards outlined in Chapter 65C-22 of the Florida Administrative Code (FAC), and it did not violate any other local or county code or statute related to wetlands or any other issue, it would be acceptable. However, before embarking on such a project, consult with the child care licensing agency contact for your area, the local county health department environmental health section, the local building department, and if applicable the Department of Environmental Protection before beginning the project.

Concerns would be: Where is the water that was draining or directed to the existing retention pond going to be redirected to or go to once it is no longer available? Is there going to be a sanitary nuisance or drowning hazard for the children as a result of not having the retention pond? Are there structural uncertainties when building on such land?

Department of Children and Families website:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/

Contacts:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/dcfspecialiststc.shtml

How would I open a federally funded child care center in my county?

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) licenses child care centers unless there is a local county ordinance that exists. DCF has district licensing offices throughout the state, so please see the DCFs web address for contact information:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/licensing.shtml

The web site has licensing information on the lower left and contact information on the lower right. The licensing rule and statute for DCF licensed child care centers is 65C-22, FAC:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/laws.shtml

Additionally, you would want to contact the county health department (CHD) for any food service at the child care center prior to construction or opening. The CHD will walk you through any required food licensing standards (64E-11, FAC http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/facility/food/index.html).

Additionally, the CHD also regulates the physical plant inspection at child care centers as part of the licensing agreement with DCF.

How can I find out when the last inspection of a child care center was done by the state?

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) licenses child care centers in Florida. DCF has district licensing offices throughout the state and staff who conduct routine inspections at licensed child care facilities. You can contact one of their offices or view inspection details using their website and provider search function:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/licensing.shtml

Additionally, the Department of Health, through the local county health department (CHD), does conduct routine group care and food hygiene inspections at DCF licensed child care centers. You can contact the local CHD and schedule a time to review the facility file for food and or group care inspection forms and details.

Where can I find the requirements for someone to "own" a child care center? Such as educational requirements, permits needed, etc?

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) licenses child care centers. DCF has district licensing offices throughout the state, so please see the DCFs web address for contact information:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/licensing.shtml

The web site has licensing information on the lower left and contact information on the lower right. The licensing rule and statute for DCF licensed child care centers is 65C-22, FAC. You can find it at the following web address:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/laws.shtml

Additionally, you would want to contact the local County Health Department (CHD) for any food service at the child care center prior to any change of ownership or purchase. The CHD will walk you through any required food licensing standards (64E-11, FAC http://www.doh.state.fl.us/environment/facility/food/index.html).

Additionally, the CHD also regulates the physical plant inspection at child care centers as part of the licensing agreement with DCF.

I would like to know the inspection reports or any history of complaints of my child's child care facility. Is there a website or number I can call to request this information?

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/

To search for a provider in your county or a specific child care center, you can use the following DCF web site:

http://dcfsanswrite.state.fl.us/Childcare/provider/ (opens in new window)

This has DCF inspection reports posted too, which may save you a trip to their office to review these details.

Additionally, the Department of Health, through the local county health department (CHD), does conduct routine group care (physical plant) and food hygiene inspections at DCF licensed child care centers. You can call the local CHD Environmental Health section and schedule a time to review the environmental health files for various violations, disease outbreaks, and environmental health complaints that have occurred at the center you are considering.

Where can I get a registry of child care centers?

To search for a provider in your county or a specific child care center, you can use the following DCF web site:

http://dcfsanswrite.state.fl.us/Childcare/provider/ opens in new window)

Is a child care center responsible for notifying people of contagious diseases once they have identified the disease? Are the parents still required to pay child care fees when the disease is cause by the center?

The Department of Children and Families (DCF) licenses child care centers unless there is a local county ordinance that exists that allows another organization to license the centers. DCF has district licensing offices throughout the state, so please see the DCFs web address for contact information:

http://www.dcf.state.fl.us/childcare/licensing.shtml

That agency licenses child care centers and can better address the questions raised. That agency's standards that state child care centers are responsible for reporting certain communicable diseases to the Department of Health in accordance with our communicable disease rules (Chapter 64D-3, Florida Administrative Code), but the DCF does not have a requirement for notification of parents in these situations. However, there may be requirements listed elsewhere and you may want to contact the local county health departments epidemiology section.

What are the Florida State & local requirements for an after school program at a parks & recreation facility located in Palm Beach County?

Palm Beach County is one of seven counties where the county commission has passed a county ordinance to license child care locally.

For information related to the child care program or a specific center in your county, please contact the local child care program licensing office for Palm Beach County at (561) 274-3181.

Privacy Statement * Disclaimer
Accessibility Information * Email Advisory