• Licensing regulations governing:
  • Pinellas County Family Day Care Homes
  • Large Family Child Care Homes

• Thank You for Your Interest in Opening
  a Family Child Care Home
  
  This form provides information on opening a family child care home. You may also call the Office Board office to request a "Thank You for your Interest" packet.

• Thank You for Your Interest in Opening
  a Large Family Child Care Home


• For more information on opening a Large Family Child Care Home, call 727-507-4857.

In addition, Forms are included on this site.

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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 Background Screening

Complete the following Step #1 Background Screening information and submit all together in one envelope (including requirements for substitutes) to:

4175 East Bay Drive, Suite 350 · Clearwater, FL 33764

Please copy forms as needed (except fingerprint cards) making sure double-sided forms are copied double-sided.

Items submitted separately for Step #1 or not completed properly will result in the entire mailing being returned to you for correction. The background screening process takes approximately 3-4 months

The following forms are available on line:

· Central Abuse Hotline Record Search – Return one completed form that includes all of the following persons – applicant and all persons in the household regardless of age.  Complete both sides of the form except for the OCA number and the blocks on the bottom-front labeled “To be completed by requesting agency” and on the bottom-back labeled “Results”.   

·  Request for FDLE Criminal History Information – Return one completed form per person for each household member age 12 through 17 years of age.  (For household members over 18, see fingerprint card section below.)

· Check or money order – Return one check made payable to FDLE in the amount of $8.00 for each household member age 12 through 17 years for the Central Abuse Hotline Record Search (include name of applicant on money order).  This check/money order must be issued separately from the fingerprint check/money order requested below.  

·  Local Police Background Check – 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. 

·  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 – Return one completed form per person for each of the following persons – applicant and substitute.  Employment history is for a minimum of the past two (2) years.  The employer(s) must complete and sign the form.  If the applicant or substitute has been unemployed or self-employed check the appropriate box and note dates.  Note:  A substitute is required for emergencies and planned absences.

·  Fingerprint Card(s) – Return one fingerprint card per person for the following persons - applicant, substitute, and each person in the household 18 years of age and older.  Use BLACK INK (handwritten or typed).  Each fingerprint card must be completed according to the sample.  Do not fold fingerprint card.  You may go to your local law enforcement office to be printed, or choose another location from a list that will be provided to you with the fingerprint card.

               Locations for Fingerprinting Services.

·  Check or money order – Return one check made payable to FDLE in the amount of $38.25 for each fingerprint card submitted (include name of applicant on money order).

 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

If your home has a pool, please call the PCLB secretary (507-4857 ext. 1313) to have you and your substitute's names added to the list for the next Child Care Water Safety Course. This course is required before a regular license may be granted.

On-Line Early Literacy and Language Development Training

This course may be taken on-line or you may select an approved program from the state website.

If you have questions or need assistance registering for this course call:
Child Care Training Information Center 1-888-352-2842

Online Training Transcripts 

You must submit training transcripts for yourself and your substitute.  After you have passed the examination, the 30-clock-hour course will be documented on your training transcript. 

In order to access your transcript online, follow these steps:
1. Go to www.myflorida.com/childcare/training
2. Click on View My Transcript
3. Enter your last name and either your SSN (without dashes) or your Student ID
4. Click the Login/Register box
5. If the information on the next page is correct, click on the Continue box.  You may need to fill in some missing information such as your first name, address, and county if the spaces on the page are blank.  The computer will prompt you to fill in the required information.  Some information such as your telephone number and email address are not required.
6. Scroll down to the very bottom of the page and click on the blue bear to access the printable copy of your transcript.

Step #2 Training and Documentation

While you are waiting for all the background screening clearances to be completed, it is imperative that you and your substitute complete the following required training.  In your child care business file, keep at least two copies of all training documentation. 

Training and transcript information follows.  To register for a course call the Pinellas County Schools Training Office at 727-588-6343 or visit www.myflorida.com/childcare/training 

       Applicant and Substitute Training:

• 30-Clock Hour Family Child Care Home Training – Applicant must complete the training.  Transcripts are available online. 
• Request your substitute take the following appropriate training:
  30-clock-hour Family Child Care Home training if working 40 hours or more a month.
  

  OR

Effective July 1, 2008, the six (6) clock hour Family Child Care Home Rules and Regulations training. 

·  Early Literacy and Language Development Training – Applicant must complete a 5-clock-hour or .5 Continuing Education Units (CEU) of training in early literacy and language development of children birth through 5-years of age.

·  If your substitute will work 40 hours or more a month, he/she must take the 5-clock-hour Early Literacy course; – For more information visit www.myflorida.com/childcare/training.  Transcripts are available online. 

·  Infant/Child CPR – Applicant and substitute must complete the training.  This training is not allowed to be completed online.  A list of approved trainers is available.

·  First Aid – Applicant and substitute must take this class.  List of approved trainers is available.

Once the background screening requirements have been met, an application packet will need to be completed and submitted to the Center Bay address above.  Training documentation will need to be submitted at that time as well. 

When the completed packet has been received, requirements have been met, and a specialist has inspected and approved your home, a Temporary Permit will be issued.  If all requirements continue to be met, a license will then be issued.  The license is renewable annually.  

Social Security Numbers:
The Child Care Licensing Program collects the Social Security number of providers and their household members, employees, and substitutes for the purpose of conducting state mandated level II background screening (Chapter 435 Florida Statutes), a requirement of child care licensure. Social Security numbers are used as a unique numeric identifier for search purposes.

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PCLB works in collaboration with Child Care Resource and Referral of Pinellas, the agency that can help parents and guardians locate child care. Parents and guardians may call 727-507-4857 with questions or concerns.

The public can review a family child care home's licensing history (file review) by appointment at the PCLB office or by accessing Inspection Reports for Centers and Homes.

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Training Opportunities

The Training Times is a quarterly publication that contains listings of training for early childhood professionals. Training sessions meet the training requirements for children’s center personnel and child care providers.

Access the 30-Hour Introductory Child Care Training for schedule and registration.