DCF RNRF CHILD CARE FACILITY RULES and REGULATIONS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

child care The care, protection, and supervision of a child, for a period of less than 24hrs a day 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. active Is the status of a candidates awarded credential or certification signifying requirements have been successfully met. age appropriate Right size, child sized, or adapted so that a child can use safely, and suitable to the chronological age range and developmental characteristics of a specific age group of children or child. This means the materials/equipment with a specified age range by the manufacturer must be followed when being used by children. Before-school and after-school site Refers to a program, Regardless of the location that provides childcare for children who are only five years old and I am rolled in an intern a kindergarten program or a grade one and a club during a school district academic calendar year. Classroom/Room/Designated Space Means a learning space or room in which care is provided or classes are held and where learning can take place uninterrupted by outside distractions. Direct supervision Means actively watching and directing children's activities with in the same room or designated outdoor play area, during transportation, any activity outside of the facility, and responding to the needs of each child while in care. Director operator as defined in section 402.302(13), F.S., who is the on-site administrator or individual who has the primary responsibility for the day-to-day operation, supervision, and administration of a child care facility. Child care personnel All owners, operators, employees, and volunteers working in a child care facility. The term does NOT include persons who work in a child care facility after hours when children are not present... Department The department of children and families. Owner The person who is licensed to operate the child care facility sanitize The process of destroying or reducing organisms to a safe level Stable walls-or-Barriers The boundaries that define a classroom space, which are, which are constructed in a sturdy manner and anchored so they are stable and secure and do not pose a threat of falling over. Weekend child care Child care provided between the hours of 6pm Friday and 6am on Monday. Foster Grandparents Directly supervised volunteers who participate in the federal program pursuant to 45 code of Federal Regulations part 2552; they work with one or more children with special-or-exceptional needs in child care programs. Begin training for child care personnel Refers to a candidates commencement of at least one of the child care training courses listed in section 402.305(2)(d)1, F.S. within the first 90 days of employment in the child care industry Purpose of child care Child care laws, rules, and ordinances are in place to protect children, families, and child care professionals. Child care professionals should: learn the LOCAL CITY and COUNTY ORDINANCES that impact your program and follow them as well. What documents should you become familiar with? 1.) Chapter 402, Florida Statues 2.) Chapter 65C-22, FL Administrative Code 3.) Facility Handbook 4.) School-Age Child care Licensing Handbook 5.) Child Care Facility Standard Classifications legislative intent The FL statutes (F.S.) outline the legislative intent of the child care regulations. Given the demographics of Florida and the child care needs of families who have employment outside of the home, the Legislature established child care standards. The Legislature establishment of minimum standards of care for Florida. The licensing standards established by the Department address the: 1.) Physical environment (Health, sanitation, safety, and physical surroundings) 2.) Children in care (health, nutrition, and development) The Florida Department of children and families office of child care regulations mission is: to "ensure the health, safety, and well-being of the children of the state while in care through LICENSING, and regulatory activities. The process of this program is to ensure that children are well cared for in a safe, healthy, and positive, and educational environment by trained, qualified child care staff." How do rules and regulations fit together A regulation is a law, rule, ordinance, or other order prescribed by authority, especially to regulate conduct. The rules and regulations exist to protect the health and safety of children in out-out-of-home care. what is prolonged child care allows care to be provided for 24 hours, or longer for achild whose parent or guardian works a shift of 24 hours or more. Child care program is either licensed, registered, or exempt from licensure. The main types of child care programs in Florida are: 1.) Child care Facilities 2.) Specialized Child care Mildly III Facilities 3.)Family Day Care homes 4.) Large Family Child care homes School-Age Child Care Before-school and after-school sites are programs, regardless of location, providing care for children who are at least 5yrs old, and who are enrolled in and attend kindergarten or above. These programs provide care only before and after school, on teacher planning days, holidays, and breaks that occur during the school districts offical academic calender year. A school-age child care program must be licensed prior to operation and for continued operation, unless the program demonstrates that it is exempt.