Early Child Care Programs
Finding the best child care program for your family is one of the most important decisions you can make as a parent. Listed below parents will find detailed information on the different types of child care programs available in Florida.
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Family Child Care Home
When a family child care home is licensed, the provider must pass a criminal background check, meet a range of health and safety requirements, complete mandated training including CPR/First Aid certification. They are also monitored by the state to ensure they continue to meet those requirements. Family child care homes can serve 10 children as a large family child care home can serve 12. Family child care homes typically offer a more extended hours of operation.
Child Care Centers
Child care centers provide care for groups of children, often placed in classrooms by age. They typically have many staff members who care for children. A child care center is managed by a center director, who oversees the program and its staff. Child care centers are usually located in commercial buildings and operated by individual owners, for-profit chains, government agencies, public schools or nonprofit entities such as faith-based organizations and community organizations.
Head Start
Head Start and Early Head Start programs are free, federally funded programs designed to promote school readiness for infants, toddlers, and preschoolers from families that meet income eligibility requirements. Early Head Start programs support pregnant women and families with children younger than age 3 years. Head Start programs serve children between 3 and 5 years old. Head Start programs also support children with identified needs (such as physical and developmental delays), children in foster care, and children experiencing homelessness.