DCF CHILD CARE FACILITIES QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Key Point: In general, after-school programs at a public or non-public school site -
✔✔do not require licensure if they meet certain criteria.
✔✔Key Point: Instructional and tutorial programs - ✔✔cannot be designated as Gold
Seal and cannot contract to deliver a School Readiness program.
Some examples of these programs include, but are not limited to:
Tutoring
Computer class
Ballet class
Karate class and
Baseball instruction or other sport
✔✔Key Point: Open access programs - ✔✔operate for less than four hours per day and
do not provide any type of supervision, with children freely entering and leaving at any
time without permission, prior arrangements, or supervision.
✔✔Key Point: Nonprofit membership organizations that are associated with national
organizations - ✔✔must submit an annual attestation to the Department and comply
with background screening requirements
, ✔✔Key Point: Summer camps are not required to be licensed - ✔✔while not inspected
or regulated by the Department, are required to have all personnel screened through
the Background Screening Clearinghouse with a Level 2 background screening and a
signed Child Care Attestation of Good Moral Character (on file at the program) prior to
caring for children. This includes owners, operators, employees, and volunteers who
provide care for children.
✔✔Bible schools or Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) - ✔✔Bible schools or Vacation Bible
Schools (VBS) that are conducted during vacation periods are exempt from licensure.
✔✔Transient programs provide child care services solely for the guests of their
establishment or resort - ✔✔All child care personnel must be screened according to the
Level 2 screening requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes. Employees of the
establishment cannot use this child care arrangement for their own children because it
is intended only for use by temporary guests.
✔✔Babysitting services - ✔✔recreational facilities
✔✔Non-custodial in-home care - ✔✔care provided by a nanny,
au pair, babysitter, or relative caregiver for children of the same family, in the children's
own home.
✔✔Key Point: A faith-based child care program - ✔✔that is an integral part of a church
or parochial school may qualify for religious exemption from licensure.
✔✔To qualify for religious exemption, faith-based child care programs must - ✔✔be
accredited by or members of organizations that have adopted and published accrediting
standards for health, safety, and sanitation and require their child care programs to
comply with these and local standards. Additionally, child care programs must be
required to meet the requirements in ss. 402.305 and 402.3055, F.S., relating to
background screening.
✔✔Gold Seal Quality Care program - ✔✔child care facilities, large family child care
homes, and family day care homes that have been accredited by an approved
accrediting association.
✔✔Americans with Disabilities Act - ✔✔This Act was established to protect individuals
with disabilities against discrimination.
It requires public entities, public accommodations (such as places of education and
care providers), commercial facilities, and employers with 15 or more employees to
make reasonable accommodations for individuals.
✔✔State Laws: - ✔✔• Safety Belts and Seat Belt Usage - These state rules define the
requirements for safety belts and seat belts.
ANSWERS SURE A+
✔✔Key Point: In general, after-school programs at a public or non-public school site -
✔✔do not require licensure if they meet certain criteria.
✔✔Key Point: Instructional and tutorial programs - ✔✔cannot be designated as Gold
Seal and cannot contract to deliver a School Readiness program.
Some examples of these programs include, but are not limited to:
Tutoring
Computer class
Ballet class
Karate class and
Baseball instruction or other sport
✔✔Key Point: Open access programs - ✔✔operate for less than four hours per day and
do not provide any type of supervision, with children freely entering and leaving at any
time without permission, prior arrangements, or supervision.
✔✔Key Point: Nonprofit membership organizations that are associated with national
organizations - ✔✔must submit an annual attestation to the Department and comply
with background screening requirements
, ✔✔Key Point: Summer camps are not required to be licensed - ✔✔while not inspected
or regulated by the Department, are required to have all personnel screened through
the Background Screening Clearinghouse with a Level 2 background screening and a
signed Child Care Attestation of Good Moral Character (on file at the program) prior to
caring for children. This includes owners, operators, employees, and volunteers who
provide care for children.
✔✔Bible schools or Vacation Bible Schools (VBS) - ✔✔Bible schools or Vacation Bible
Schools (VBS) that are conducted during vacation periods are exempt from licensure.
✔✔Transient programs provide child care services solely for the guests of their
establishment or resort - ✔✔All child care personnel must be screened according to the
Level 2 screening requirements of Chapter 435, Florida Statutes. Employees of the
establishment cannot use this child care arrangement for their own children because it
is intended only for use by temporary guests.
✔✔Babysitting services - ✔✔recreational facilities
✔✔Non-custodial in-home care - ✔✔care provided by a nanny,
au pair, babysitter, or relative caregiver for children of the same family, in the children's
own home.
✔✔Key Point: A faith-based child care program - ✔✔that is an integral part of a church
or parochial school may qualify for religious exemption from licensure.
✔✔To qualify for religious exemption, faith-based child care programs must - ✔✔be
accredited by or members of organizations that have adopted and published accrediting
standards for health, safety, and sanitation and require their child care programs to
comply with these and local standards. Additionally, child care programs must be
required to meet the requirements in ss. 402.305 and 402.3055, F.S., relating to
background screening.
✔✔Gold Seal Quality Care program - ✔✔child care facilities, large family child care
homes, and family day care homes that have been accredited by an approved
accrediting association.
✔✔Americans with Disabilities Act - ✔✔This Act was established to protect individuals
with disabilities against discrimination.
It requires public entities, public accommodations (such as places of education and
care providers), commercial facilities, and employers with 15 or more employees to
make reasonable accommodations for individuals.
✔✔State Laws: - ✔✔• Safety Belts and Seat Belt Usage - These state rules define the
requirements for safety belts and seat belts.
