STEPS TO BECOMING A LICENSED FAMILY DAY CARE HOME PROVIDER
Thank you for your interest in becoming a licensed Family Day Care Home provider. The following items are required prior to receiving an application:
Step 1: Prospective Provider Training
You must first attend prospective provider training to become a licensed home child care provider.
To register for a class, call 727-507-4857. The class costs $25 to attend.
The forms provided in this class are also listed at the bottom of this webpage.
Step 2: Background Screening
Social Security Numbers
The Child Care Licensing Program collects the Social Security numbers of providers and their household members, employees, and substitutes for the purpose of conducting state-mandated level II background screenings (Chapter 435, Florida Statutes), a requirement of child care licensure. Social Security numbers are used as a unique numeric identifier for search purposes.
Once you have completed the provider training, you may request a controlling agency identifier (OCA) number from the homes child care supervisor. You will then follow the instructions provided in the provider training to register in the Clearinghouse. Once you have registered and have the necessary paperwork, you may then go to a livescan vendor to be fingerprinted.
You will need to check the Clearinghouse for your results and then forward them to our office along with the following completed forms.
- Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Requirements/Acknowledgement
Return one completed form per person for each of the following persons- applicant, substitute, and employee. - Central Abuse Hotline Record Search (1651)
Return one completed form that includes the following persons – applicant and all persons in the household regardless of age. Complete both sides of the form excluding sections: “To be completed by requesting agency” and ‘Results”. - Request for FDLE Criminal History Information (Delinquency Screening)
All minors ages 12-17 years old in the home will need to be screened. Visit FDLE SHIELD, and use ORI number FL721911Z. The cost is $8 per person - Attestation of Good Moral Character
Return one completed form per person for each of the following persons –applicant, substitute, and each person in the household 18 years of age and older. - Employment History
Both applicant and substitute must complete and return an employment history form listing all employers for the past 5 years. If the applicant or substitute has been unemployed or self-employed, check the appropriate box and note the dates. - Employment Verification Form
The provider and substitute should each complete and sign the top portion. Our office will submit the forms to the employer, and they will complete their portion. Please be sure the address and phone number are complete. The prospective provider will need to do this for their substitutes.
Step 3: Additional Training
Applicant and Substitute Training
You and your substitute are required to complete the following trainings. Keep at least two copies of all training documentation in your child care business file. To register for a course, call the Pinellas County Schools’ Training Office at 727-588-6343 or visit the Florida Department of Children and Families’ website.
- 30-Hour Family Child Care Home Training
Applicant must complete the training. Transcripts are available online. Your substitute must take the 30-hour family child care home training if working 40 hours or more a month OR the six-hour family child care home rules and regulations training if working less than 40 hours a month. - Early Literacy and Language Development Training
Applicant must complete five hours or .5 continuing education units (CEU) of training in early literacy and language development of children ages birth through 5 years. If your substitute will work 40 hours or more a month, they must take the five-hour course. Transcripts are available online. - First Aid and Infant/Child CPR
Applicant and substitute must complete the training. This training is not allowed to be completed online and must be taken from a certified instructor. - Fire Extinguisher Training
- Safe Sleep/Shaken Baby Training
- Pool Safety Course is required if your home has a pool. The provider and substitute must take this course.
After you have completed all the requirements and we have reviewed your packet, we will send you an application. Once you return your application and fee, and a specialist has inspected and approved your home, we will issue you a temporary permit. If all requirements continue to be met, you will receive your license, which must be renewed annually.
Forms from Prospective Provider Training
The following forms are in Adobe Acrobat, and some of them can be completed online and printed. Many of the lines on the forms are set to auto font, which means the font will adjust to the number of characters you type on each line. If the tab does not work, simply point and click on the next line to move your cursor.
Spanish forms are listed below the English versions.
If you have any questions, please call 727-507-4857.