FL DCF CHILD CARE FACILITIES RULE AND REGULATIONS, (RNRF) UPDATED 2024 Graded A+

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 must be available in the vehicle or with child care personnel on the field trip. The responsible adult in the vehicle or on the field trip must be trained to recognize and respond appropriately to a medical emergency. Vehicle Requirements A. All vehicles regularly used to transport children must be inspected annually by a mechanic to ensure that they are in proper working order. Documentation by the mechanic must be maintained in the vehicle. B. The maximum number of individuals transported in a vehicle may not exceed the manufacturer's designated seating capacity or the number of factory installed seat belts. C. When transporting children, staff-to-child ratios must be maintained at all times. The driver may be included in the staff-to-child ratio if he or she meets screening and training requirement. D. All child care facilities must comply with the insurance requirements found in Section 316.615(4), F.S. Documentation shall be maintained at the facility. E. The interior of vehicles used to transport children must be maintained at a temperature comfortable to children Seat Belt/Child Restraints Each child, when transported, must be seated in a back seat in an individual factory installed seat belt or federally approved child safety restraint. The child safety restraint must be installed, secured and used in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions and a copy of such instructions must be maintained (in the vehicle and/or on file) Seat Belt/Child Restraints A. Children aged birth to one year old must be secured in a rear-facing car safety seat. B. Children aged one through 3 years, such restraint device must be a separate carrier or a vehicle built-in child seat. C. For children aged 4 years, a separate carrier, a vehicle built-in child seat, or a child booster seat must be used with appropriate seat belt. D. All children 5 and older must be in seat belts. E. When applicable, any vehicle used for transporting children must accommodate the placement of wheelchairs with four tie-downs affixed according to the manufactures' instructions in a forward-facing direction and the wheelchair occupant must be secured by a three-point tie restraint during transport; or the child must be placed in a federally approved child safety restraint or factory installed seatbelt when transported, in accordance to the child's needs. Planned Activities Each group or class must have a written and followed plan of scheduled activities posted in an easily seen location accessible to parents. Promote emotional, social, intellectual, and physical growth Field Trip Activities A. Parents must be advised in advance of each field trip activity. B. The date, time, and location of the field trip must be posted in an easily seen location at least two working days prior to each field trip. C. Written parental permission must be obtained in the form of a general or event-specific permission slip. D. If special circumstances arise where notification of an event cannot be posted for two working days, individual permission slips must be obtained from the custodial parent or legal guardian for each child participating on the field trip. E. Emergency contact information for each child on the field trip, including walking field trips, must be in the possession of a child care personnel on the field trip. F. A telephone or other means of instant communication must be available to staff responsible for children during all field trips, including walking field trips. Cellular phones, two-way radio devices, citizen band radios, and other means of instant communications are acceptable. G. Documentation of parental permission for field trips must be on file and maintained for at least 4 months from the date of the field trip. Child Discipline The child care facility shall adopt a discipline policy consistent with Section 402.305(12), F.S., including standards that prohibit children from being subjected to discipline which is severe, humiliating, frightening, or associated with food, rest, or toileting. Spanking or any other form of physical punishment is prohibited. B. The child care facility operators, employees, substitutes, and volunteers must comply with written disciplinary and expulsion policies. Child Discipline Rules Verification that the child care facility has provided the parent or guardian a written copy of the disciplinary and expulsion policies used by the program must be documented on the enrollment form with the signature of the custodial parent or legal guardian. What is the main purpose for regulatory agencies in child care? govern child care in Florida so they can provide a safe and healthy setting for children in out-of-home care. How do regulatory agencies influence the care each child receives? ensure that children are well cared for in a safe, healthy, positive, and educational environment by trained, qualified child care staff The Florida Statutes (F.S.) outline the legislative intent of the child care regulations Legislature established child care standards and establishes the intent to protect the health, safety, and well-being of Florida's children through the establishment of minimum standards of care for Florida. The licensing standards established by the Department address the Physical environment (health, sanitation, safety, and physical surroundings) and Children in care (health, nutrition, and development) Child Care Standards