Family Child Care Homes

All Family Child Care Homes in Collier, Glades, Hendry, Lee, Orange, Osceola, and Seminole must be registered with the Department of Children and Families (DCF).

According to rules established by the Florida Administrative Code, effective January 1st, 1997, a Family Child Care Home shall be allowed to provide care for one of the following groups of children. These groups INCLUDES all children under 13 years of age who are related to the caregiver.

Approved groups of children to be cared for in a Family Child Care Home

• A maximum of four (4) children from birth to 12 months of age, or
• A maximum of three (3) children from birth to 12 months of age, and other children, for a total of six (6) children, or
• A maximum of six (6) preschool children if all are older than 12 months of age, or
• A maximum of ten (10) children if no more than five (5) are preschool age and of those five, no more than two (2) are under 12 months of age.

Family Child Care Homes Must Be Registered

In a registered Family Child Care Home all household members must be screened for child abuse convictions or felony arrests. The provider must complete a 30-hour training course. A registered Family Child Care Home is NOT visited by any regulatory agency and therefore it is up to parents to play an important role in monitoring the care their child receives.

Licensed Homes may become Large Family Child Care Homes after being licensed for a year. Large Family Child Care Homes can take up to 12 children.

Family Child Care Homes May or May Not Be Licensed

A licensed Family Child Care Home meets the requirements of registration, but has taken a voluntary step further. A licensed home is inspected twice a year by an DCF Licensing representative, and is required to have all adults tested for T.B.

For more information on licensing, health and safety standards required, contact DCF Licensing at www.myflorida.com/childcare.

Making a Decision for Your Child

Programs for children, whether in someone's home or in a center, vary in philosophy, style, and routine. All early childhood programs should take into account a child's individual social, emotional, and cognitive development.

Once you have narrowed your choices, plan to visit each facility more than once and during different times of the day. When scheduling your first visit, plan to go without your child and be prepared to stay for a minimum of one hour. Your next visit should be unannounced. Take your child during the visits he/she can participate in some of the activities and you can observe the adult interaction.

Don't hesitate to ask questions of the director and/or child care provider. Be aware that at some times of the day providers may not be able to spend the amount of time it takes to answer all the important questions you may have.

Some important questions may be:

• What is included in my fee (i.e. snacks, lunch, diapers)?
• What is the rate of staff turnover?
• What is the policy when my child gets sick?
• Will I get regular feedback about my child's day?
• Who cares for the children when the teacher is out?

Choosing child care is the beginning of an ongoing process and relationship between parents, child and child care provider. Observation, exchange of information, and evaluation do not end when you have selected your child care program. Whether your involvement in the program is the time at drop-off and pick-up, parent meetings or volunteering in your child's class, become familiar with your child's day and needs.