Child Care

One of the most important decisions you will make as a parent is choosing quality child care for your child. Learn how to select the best provider for your family.

Child Care Programs

Finding the right child care program for your child is a critical decision to make. Knowing what the requirements are and the inspection process for a child care provider is also important to understand when making such an important decision that can impact your child’s life.

Summer Camps

When selecting summer care for your school age child, there are many options to consider. Resources provided by the Florida Department of Children and Families can help you make a choice that is safe and fun for your child.

Brochures, Factsheets, and Resources

The Florida Department of Children and Families has a variety of resources that allow you to review child care requirements, provider details, and other important guides to ensure you have the information you need to make the best choice for your child.

Choosing a Child Care Provider

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Questions to Ask a Provider

Consider asking these questions as you visit child care centers. Answers to these questions can help you decide if the provider is the right fit for your child:

Is the facility licensed by the state of Florida?
Are all teachers up to date on training requirements?
Does the facility meet all staff-to-child ratios?
What kind of curriculum do they offer?
Is it developmentally appropriate? Does staff have positive, nurturing interactions with the children?
Do the children appear to be happy and comfortable in their surroundings?
Are the children constantly supervised?
Is each staff member responsible for the same children each day?
How do they keep parents informed about their child’s progress?
How frequently are communications sent to parents?
Does the facility have clean and safe surroundings?
Do they provide healthy, nutritious snacks, and/or meals?