FL DCF CHILD CARE FACILITIES RULE AND
REGULATIONS, (RNRF) UPDATED 2024 Graded
A+
DCF
Department of Children and Families
DCF Responsibilities
Administration of child care licensing and training
Ensuring children are well cared for in a safe, healthy, positive, and educational environment by
trained, qualified child care staff
This agency determines state rules pertaining to child care and enforces these rules by licensing and
inspecting child care facilities.
Child Care Professionals Roles and Responsibilities
-must know, understand, and follow the laws and the rules and regulations to protect the health and
safety of children in care
-keep children safe
-provide good nutrition and a healthy environment
-create a quality environment for learning
Name the key agencies that partner with the Department to regulate child care.
Local Fire Departments / Certified Fire Safety Inspectors
County Agencies
Local Licensing Agencies
Child care laws, rules, and regulations are in place to protect
children, families, and child care professionals
Office of Child Care Regulation and Background Screening
licensing authority, regulates licensed child care facilities in most counties in Florida
Local County Government Agencies
Effect childcare through Zoning and Building, Septic and Well, Etc...
City/Municipal Police Dept.
Effect childcare through back ground checks and screenings of child care providers
Child Care
care, protection and supervision of a child for a period of less than 24 hours 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. (Defined in 402.302)
DCF's Office of Child Care Regulations mission:
,To ensure the health, safety, and well being of the children of the state while in care through licensing
and regulatory activities
The licensing standards established by the Department address
Physical Environment (health, sanitation, safety, and physical surroundings)
Children in Care (health, nutrition, and development)
Regulation
a law, rule, ordinance, or other order prescribed by authority to regulate conduct
What is the intent of the Legislature?
To protect the health and welfare of children
To develop
a regulatory framework that promotes the growth and stability of the child care industry and
facilitates the safe physical, intellectual, motor, and social development of the child.
Child Care Regulation Program
is responsible for regulating programs that provide services that meet the statutory definition of
"child care." This is accomplished
through the inspection of licensed child care programs to ensure the consistent statewide application
of child care standards established in statute and rule, and the registration of child care providers not
subject to inspection.
Minimum Age Requirements
A staff person at least 21 years of age must be in charge of the program and must be on
the premises at all times during operating hours.
Mixed Age Groups
A. In groups of mixed age ranges, where children under one year of age are
included, one staff member must be responsible for no more than four children
of any age group, at all times.
B. In groups of mixed age ranges, where children one year of age but under two
years of age are included, one staff member must be responsible for no more
than six children of any age group, at all times
In addition to the number of staff required to meet the staff-to-child ratio,
one additional adult must attend field trips away from the child care facility to help
provide direct supervision. The individual could be a parent volunteer as long as that person is under
direct and constant supervision of a screened and trained staff member.
Nap time supervision
During nap time, staff must be within sight and hearing of all the children. All other
staff required to meet the staff-to-child ratio must be within the building on the same floor and
available to be summoned if needed to ensure the safety of the children.
Nap time supervision does not apply to children up to 24 months of age, who must
have direct supervision at all times.
Evening Supervision
, During evening child care hours, staff must remain awake at all times. While
children are awake, direct supervision must be provided.
Meal time Supervision
A. During feeding times, children must be individually fed and provided their own
tableware. Children must be supervised appropriately for their ages and
developmental abilities, to monitor the size of food and that children are eating
accordingly.
B. Infants must be held for bottle feedings until they are developmentally ready to
sit in an age appropriate chair with good head control. Children must not be left
in high chairs or other types of feeding chairs other than feeding times. The
use of safety straps is required to prevent children from falling out of the high
chair.
C. There must not be any propped bottles. If a child cannot hold the bottle, a staff
person or volunteer must hold the bottle during feeding. There must be no
automatic feeding devices unless prescribed by a doctor and documentation is
available in the child's file.
Water Activity Supervision
If a facility uses a swimming pool on site or during a field trip that is more than
three feet deep... A certified lifeguard must be on duty and present when any children are in the
swimming area.
Wading pools are prohibited. Constant and active supervision must be maintained when any child is in
or around water.
Transportation
A. A valid Florida driver's license including the proper endorsement;
B. An annual physical examination which grants medical approval to drive, and
valid certificate(s) of course completion for first aid training and pediatric
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedures
Transportation Log
-Kept for 12 months.
-Each Child's name.
-Date and Time of Departure and Arrival.
-Signatures of Driver and Second Staff Member.
Upon arrival at the destination by vehicle, the driver of the vehicle must:
1. Mark each child off the log as the child departs the vehicle;
2. Conduct a physical inspection and visual sweep of the vehicle interior to
ensure that no child is left in the vehicle; and
3. Record, sign, and date the transportation log immediately, verifying that all
children were accounted for, and that the visual sweep was conducted.
4. Ensure that a second staff member signs and dates the transportation Log
verifying that all children were accounted for, and that the log is complete.
Emergency Care Plans
A. Child care personnel must have possession of contact information for the parent or legal guardian
of each child being transported by vehicle or on foot while away from the child care facility.
B. When transporting children with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma,
diabetes or seizures), their emergency care plans and supplies or medication
REGULATIONS, (RNRF) UPDATED 2024 Graded
A+
DCF
Department of Children and Families
DCF Responsibilities
Administration of child care licensing and training
Ensuring children are well cared for in a safe, healthy, positive, and educational environment by
trained, qualified child care staff
This agency determines state rules pertaining to child care and enforces these rules by licensing and
inspecting child care facilities.
Child Care Professionals Roles and Responsibilities
-must know, understand, and follow the laws and the rules and regulations to protect the health and
safety of children in care
-keep children safe
-provide good nutrition and a healthy environment
-create a quality environment for learning
Name the key agencies that partner with the Department to regulate child care.
Local Fire Departments / Certified Fire Safety Inspectors
County Agencies
Local Licensing Agencies
Child care laws, rules, and regulations are in place to protect
children, families, and child care professionals
Office of Child Care Regulation and Background Screening
licensing authority, regulates licensed child care facilities in most counties in Florida
Local County Government Agencies
Effect childcare through Zoning and Building, Septic and Well, Etc...
City/Municipal Police Dept.
Effect childcare through back ground checks and screenings of child care providers
Child Care
care, protection and supervision of a child for a period of less than 24 hours 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. (Defined in 402.302)
DCF's Office of Child Care Regulations mission:
,To ensure the health, safety, and well being of the children of the state while in care through licensing
and regulatory activities
The licensing standards established by the Department address
Physical Environment (health, sanitation, safety, and physical surroundings)
Children in Care (health, nutrition, and development)
Regulation
a law, rule, ordinance, or other order prescribed by authority to regulate conduct
What is the intent of the Legislature?
To protect the health and welfare of children
To develop
a regulatory framework that promotes the growth and stability of the child care industry and
facilitates the safe physical, intellectual, motor, and social development of the child.
Child Care Regulation Program
is responsible for regulating programs that provide services that meet the statutory definition of
"child care." This is accomplished
through the inspection of licensed child care programs to ensure the consistent statewide application
of child care standards established in statute and rule, and the registration of child care providers not
subject to inspection.
Minimum Age Requirements
A staff person at least 21 years of age must be in charge of the program and must be on
the premises at all times during operating hours.
Mixed Age Groups
A. In groups of mixed age ranges, where children under one year of age are
included, one staff member must be responsible for no more than four children
of any age group, at all times.
B. In groups of mixed age ranges, where children one year of age but under two
years of age are included, one staff member must be responsible for no more
than six children of any age group, at all times
In addition to the number of staff required to meet the staff-to-child ratio,
one additional adult must attend field trips away from the child care facility to help
provide direct supervision. The individual could be a parent volunteer as long as that person is under
direct and constant supervision of a screened and trained staff member.
Nap time supervision
During nap time, staff must be within sight and hearing of all the children. All other
staff required to meet the staff-to-child ratio must be within the building on the same floor and
available to be summoned if needed to ensure the safety of the children.
Nap time supervision does not apply to children up to 24 months of age, who must
have direct supervision at all times.
Evening Supervision
, During evening child care hours, staff must remain awake at all times. While
children are awake, direct supervision must be provided.
Meal time Supervision
A. During feeding times, children must be individually fed and provided their own
tableware. Children must be supervised appropriately for their ages and
developmental abilities, to monitor the size of food and that children are eating
accordingly.
B. Infants must be held for bottle feedings until they are developmentally ready to
sit in an age appropriate chair with good head control. Children must not be left
in high chairs or other types of feeding chairs other than feeding times. The
use of safety straps is required to prevent children from falling out of the high
chair.
C. There must not be any propped bottles. If a child cannot hold the bottle, a staff
person or volunteer must hold the bottle during feeding. There must be no
automatic feeding devices unless prescribed by a doctor and documentation is
available in the child's file.
Water Activity Supervision
If a facility uses a swimming pool on site or during a field trip that is more than
three feet deep... A certified lifeguard must be on duty and present when any children are in the
swimming area.
Wading pools are prohibited. Constant and active supervision must be maintained when any child is in
or around water.
Transportation
A. A valid Florida driver's license including the proper endorsement;
B. An annual physical examination which grants medical approval to drive, and
valid certificate(s) of course completion for first aid training and pediatric
cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) procedures
Transportation Log
-Kept for 12 months.
-Each Child's name.
-Date and Time of Departure and Arrival.
-Signatures of Driver and Second Staff Member.
Upon arrival at the destination by vehicle, the driver of the vehicle must:
1. Mark each child off the log as the child departs the vehicle;
2. Conduct a physical inspection and visual sweep of the vehicle interior to
ensure that no child is left in the vehicle; and
3. Record, sign, and date the transportation log immediately, verifying that all
children were accounted for, and that the visual sweep was conducted.
4. Ensure that a second staff member signs and dates the transportation Log
verifying that all children were accounted for, and that the log is complete.
Emergency Care Plans
A. Child care personnel must have possession of contact information for the parent or legal guardian
of each child being transported by vehicle or on foot while away from the child care facility.
B. When transporting children with chronic medical conditions (such as asthma,
diabetes or seizures), their emergency care plans and supplies or medication
