Who is required to become licensed?
Any family child care home that is occupied by the provider within which child care is regularly provided for children from at least two unrelated families and which there is a payment, fee, or grant for any of the children receiving care, whether or not operated for profit.
How many children can be cared for?
Licensed family child care homes may provide care for one of the following age groups of children including children under 13 years of age related to the provider.
- A maximum of four children from birth to 12 months of age.
- A maximum of six children if no more than three of the children are under 12 months of age.
- A maximum of six children if all are older than 12 months of age.
- A maximum of ten children if no more than five are preschool age and of those five, no more than two are under 12 months of age.
Training Requirements
- The provider must complete the DCF 30 hour family child care home training class and the five hour on-line Early Literacy Training class and must have current Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification. (On-line CPR classes will not satisfy this requirement)
- The substitute must complete the 6 hour DCF Family Child Care Homes Rules and Regulations class, the five hour on-line Early Literacy class and must have current Pediatric CPR/First Aid certification. (on-line CPR classes will not satisfy this requirement)
What are the Steps to become licensed?
Prospective providers are strongly encouraged to attend the three hour, free Family Child Care Orientation. Contact CCLE at 954/357-4800 to register.
- Contact the local municipality to ensure that your home is zoned for family child care.
- Read the Broward County Family Child Care Home Ordinance and Chapter 65C-20 of the Florida Administrative Code regarding the rules and regulations required for family child care home providers in Broward County.
- Contact the local fire department to arrange for a fire inspection.
- Contact the Quality Assurance Specialist at 954-357-4800 to request an OCA number which is needed to register in the background screening clearinghouse.
- Once you receive the OCA number, register in the Clearinghouse.
- Complete Level II background screening for the provider, substitute and all adult residents of the home.
- Set up the home to comply with standards for the specific age groups including sufficient furnishings, equipment, supplies, toys, materials, etc.
- Contact CCLE Quality Assurance Specialist to arrange for an on-site inspection of the home. This inspection should not be scheduled until the above items have been completed.
- A written inspection report will be provided based on the on-site inspection detailing any applicable standards that are not in compliance.
- If warranted, a re-visit inspection will be conducted to verify compliance with all applicable standards.
- Complete the Family Child Care Home application and submit it with the Family Child care Home Licensing fee.
- Once the application and reports are received and reviewed the Family Child Care Home license will be prepared and signed and provided to the family child care home.
Child care cannot be provided at the home until the license has been issued. Failure to comply with this will lead to administrative fines and delay the issuance of the license.
