The Florida Division of Early Learning is investing its American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) dollars in Build a World Class Workforce Grants to provide stipend and grant opportunities for continued professional development among the state’s early child care and education workforce.

Please reach out to your local early learning coalition to learn more and to find out if you qualify and how to apply.

Family Day Care Home and Large Family Child Care Home Standards

The Florida Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing, has completed the rule promulgation process for Family Day Care Home and Large Family Child Care Home Standards, Chapter 65C-20, Florida Administrative Code.

The new rule language establishes an enhanced system for abbreviated inspections utilizing Key Indicators for eligible family home and large child-care home providers.

Effective date: July 28, 2022

The Florida Department of Children and Families, Office of Licensing, has completed the Differential Monitoring Project in collaboration with the National Association of Regulatory Administration (NARA) to improve the efficiency of the abbreviated inspection process for eligible child-care providers.

NARA has found that regulatory oversight agencies nationwide are moving toward targeted measurements as an effective alternative to traditional licensing methods using Key Indicator Systems (KIS).

Rather than measuring all standards during each licensing inspection, targeted measurements (abbreviated inspections) allow the department to focus resources and technical assistance on providers that may need additional support in maintaining compliance.

This approach also recognizes high-performing providers with shorter inspections while still ensuring safe, high-quality care is provided in all settings.

Effective date: July 1, 2022

Pursuant to Senate Bill 252, child-care facilities and large family child-care homes are required to install an alarm system in each vehicle used to transport children.

Compliance deadline: January 1, 2022

The Office of Child Care Regulation will promulgate Rules 65C-22 and 65C-20 for child-care facilities and large family child-care homes to follow when choosing, installing, and maintaining a car alarm system.

A list of approved alarm manufacturing companies will be made available on the Child-Care Alarms webpage . Child-care programs that provide transportation will be required to select an alarm from this approved list.

Alarm manufacturing companies interested in being included on the approved list may submit their information using the Child-Care Alarms application form . This form is intended for alarm manufacturers only.

The Florida Department of Children and Families’ Office of Child Care Regulation has developed new online courses. These courses may be used to meet in-service training requirements, and continuing education units (CEUs) may be earned.

1. Building Relationships with Families (BRWF): Presents research- and evidence-based practices for creating receptive, responsive, respectful, and reciprocal relationships with enrolled families.
2. Developmentally Appropriate Classroom Management (DACM): Provides early childhood professionals with classroom management strategies to support positive behaviors in young children.
3. Healthy Habits for Quality Child Care (HHCC): Helps child care professionals create a learning environment that supports health and wellness in early childhood settings.
4. Understanding Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder and Sensory Processing Disorder (UAS): Helps educators understand these conditions, recognize early signs, and support children effectively in inclusive environments.

On January 29, 2020, the Department of Children and Families (DCF) updated rules regarding outdoor play areas and ground covering. The Child Care Facility Handbook, Section 3.12(D), requires that all fall/use zones extend a minimum of six feet in all directions from the perimeter of permanent or stationary playground equipment.

Although the original notification deadline has passed, the following guidance applies:

Providers Licensed On or Before January 29, 2020

Providers licensed on or before this date are automatically grandfathered under the previous standard.

• During the next inspection, licensing staff will collect photos and floor plans of the play area for the licensing file.
• If existing playground equipment is moved or replaced, the current six-foot fall/use zone requirement will apply.
• Any newly installed equipment must meet the six-foot fall/use zone requirement.
• This grandfathering does not apply if there is a lapse in licensure or a change of ownership.

Providers Licensed After January 29, 2020

Providers licensed after this date must comply with the current standard requiring a six-foot fall/use zone in all directions.

• Licensing staff will monitor compliance during inspections.
• Providers experiencing challenges may request a waiver or variance through the DCF Agency Clerk, as outlined in section 120.542, Florida Statutes.

Providers who have already received an approved variance do not need to take further action.