Академический Документы
Профессиональный Документы
Культура Документы
HANDBOOK
1
CHILD CARE HANDBOOK
TABLE OF CONTENTS
HOW TO SELECT CHILD CARE
INTRODUCTION 3
NEXT STEPS 3
LICENSING REGULATIONS
CHILD CARE CENTER REGULATIONS 5
FAMILY CHILD CARE HOME REGULATIONS 5
ON MONEY MATTERS 10
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES 13
2
HOW TO SELECT CHILD CARE
INTRODUCTION
Choosing a good child care arrangement is one of the most important decisions you will make for your child.
This Handbook is designed to help you make the best decision in selecting care for your child. Please read through the
information carefully. If you have questions, call Family Central, Inc.’s (FCI) Child Care Resource and Referral office at
954-724-4609 or 1-877-5-FAMILY in Broward County, and 561-514-3300 or 1-800-683-3327 in Palm Beach County. A
Resource and Referral Counselor will be happy to help you. FCI’s Public Resource and Referral service is free of
charge. In addition, you may also call these numbers if further information is needed on how to access financially
assisted child care.
NEXT STEPS
Call providers to ask about openings.
Make appointments for interviews.
Know your child care licensing regulations.
Try to visit more than one provider and visit each provider more than once.
At least one visit should be unannounced.
Schedule one visit near closing time and ask other parents for feedback.
View all rooms in the family child care home or child care center and check the outdoor play area.
Trust your instincts. If you feel good about a provider and program, chances are your child will do well there.
View the files at the Child Care Licensing Office for each program you are seriously considering. This is a free
public service.
These factors make the difference between “custodial care” (which is making sure the basic needs of children are met
by providing food, rest, and toys) and “quality care” (which meets the developmental needs of children). Families can
access the Florida Performance Standards for children aged birth to 5 years by going to the Florida Office of Early
Learning website http://www.floridajobs.org/earlylearning/oelperformance.html. The Florida Voluntary prekindergarten
Education Standards may be downloaded from the State of Florida Department of Education website:
http://www.fldoe.org/earlylearning/perform.asp. These standards describe age appropriate understandings related to
the ways young children think, reason, create, and recreate as they engage in the learning process. They also
incorporate an exhaustive analysis of research, a review of best practices and standards used across the nation,
principles developed by the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), and input from early
childhood practioners and kindergarten teachers.
Staff/Child Ratios:
Under Age 1 - One Staff Person per 4 Infants
Age 1-2 Years - One Staff Person per 6 Toddlers
Age 2-3 Years - One Staff Person per 11 Children
Age 3-4 Years - One Staff Person per 15 Children
Age 4-5 Years - One Staff Person per 20 Children
Age 5 and Up - One Staff Person per 25 Children
If you would like further information on licensing regulations, what to look for in licensing files, and background
screening requirements for personnel, please access Family Central’s website at www.familycentral.org.
In Broward County you can conduct a local criminal background check by visiting or writing the Police
Clearance Unit at the Broward Sheriff's Office, 2601 West Broward Blvd., Fort Lauderdale, FL 33312, 954-831-
8700. You will need the applicant's full name, date of birth, race, sex, and a $2.00 fee. The request must be
made in writing.
Conduct a statewide criminal background check by contacting the Florida Department of Law Enforcement
(FDLE) at 850-410-8109, or mail to: FDLE, Attention: Criminal Inquiry, P.O. Box 1489, Tallahassee, FL 32302.
A state background check costs approximately $24.00. You may also contact your local police department.
Child Care Handbook (English) ©2010 Family Central, Inc.
5
TYPES OF CHILD CARE
CHILD CARE CENTERS:
A child care center provides full or part-time child care with planned educational activities in a group setting. A child care
center is licensed and must meet minimal health, safety and staffing requirements. Many part-time programs are known
as nursery schools.
If you choose a child care center, your child will generally be in a group of children his/her own age with activities
planned especially for that age group. This is particularly important to children who are ready to make friends and play
with others.
SCHOOL BASED:
These programs are housed in elementary school sites. A community school, YMCA, JCC, city recreation
department, or county school board may operate them.
• School age children only
• Familiar school setting
• Students usually attend at their own school
• No need for transportation
• Often need to supplement with holiday/summer care
• Often a large group with K-5 all together
If you hire through a nanny agency, check into its background and its policy for screening nannies.
Note: To secure appropriate Social Security and Unemployment forms, contact the Internal Revenue Service
(IRS) at 1-800-829-1040.
DROP-IN CARE:
Some child care centers and family child care homes will provide child care on an as needed basis. Caregivers require
pre-registration and ask to be notified of needs as much in advance as possible. Rates are charged by the day or the
hour. Care is provided on a space available basis.
PLAY GROUPS:
Play groups are part-week, part-day programs designed to give toddlers and young preschool children an opportunity
for socialization. Programs may be offered by licensed child care centers, by church or temple groups, by local parks
and recreation programs, or by parent groups.
SUMMER CAMPS:
Many licensed child care centers convert to a camp-type atmosphere during the summer months offering a variety of
field trips and special activities. Additional license-exempt summer camp programs are located in parks, schools, and
other locations such as specialty camps for dance or Karate, sports camps, computer camps, etc. Some are operated
by private individuals; others are offered by county and municipal parks and recreation departments. Still other camps
are offered through the local YMCA’s and Boys & Girls clubs. Some are available only for limited periods during the
summer. Many programs offer extended care hours to meet the needs of working parents.
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS:
• Is there a responsible adult nearby in case of emergency?
• Do you feel your home/neighborhood is generally safe?
• Does the child have seizures, violent behavior?
• Does the child have a disability that may require supervision?
• Is the child attracted to hazardous or dangerous materials?
• Is the child afraid of the dark?
There is no specific age when children are ready to stay home alone because children mature at different rates. It is
important to know if your child feels comfortable being home alone and has the ability to handle an emergency. Practice
with short trial periods reviewing each experience afterward with your child. Make the transition to self-care a gradual
one if possible.
BE PREPARED
Before your child gets sick, consider what your choices will be. After thinking about your commitments, you will know
what problems you face in caring for your child when he/she is sick.
The following books are another resource in helping you select the right child care for you and your child’s needs:
AU PAIRS, MOTHER'S HELPERS AND CAREGIVERS: THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO HOME CHILD CARE, Lyn
Yeiser.
GOING TO DAY CARE, Fred Rogers. G.P. Putnam's Sons, N.Y., 1985.
1,2,3,...... THE TODDLER YEARS, Irene Vander Fande. Santa Cruz Toddler Care Center, Santa Cruz, CA, 1990.
THE COMPLETE GUIDE TO CHOOSING CHILD CARE, Judith Berezin. Random House, New York, 1990
(available from Family Central, Inc.)
SCHOOL’S OUT, Joan M. Bergstrom. Ten Speed Press, Berkeley, CA, 1990.
PALM BEACH
3111 SOUTH DIXIE HIGHWAY, SUITE 222
WEST PALM BEACH, FL 33405-1548
PHONE: 561-514-3300
800-683-3327
FAX: 561-655-4575