SR Health & Safety
Health and Safety Inspections
DEL partners with the Department of Children and Families (DCF) and the local licensing agencies in Broward, Palm Beach, Pinellas and Sarasota counties to conduct annual SR health and safety inspections for child care programs that contract for the SR program. Federal legislation for the Child Care and Development Fund requires child care providers offering the SR program be inspected at least once each year to ensure providers are compliant with SR requirements.
SR providers must meet all health and safety requirements, including pre-service training and active credentials, in accordance with Rule 6M-4.620, Florida Administrative Code.
SR Preservice Health and Safety Training
Child care personnel working in an SR Program must complete Preservice training within 90-days of initial employment with any SR provider. Personnel are only allowed supervised contact with or care of children in an SR program after they have completed all Preservice training requirements. Options for completing the Preservice training requirements are:
Option 1: The DCF Child Care Facility Part I courses available through the Florida Early Childhood Professional Development Registry. Cost: $10 each
- Health, Safety and Nutrition (8-hour)
- Child Growth and Development (6-hour)
- Behavioral Observation and Screening (6-hour)
- Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse and Neglect (4-hour)
Must also complete the two new health and safety courses in Option 3 (Health and Nutrition in the School Readiness Program and Safety Practices in the School Readiness Program).
Option 2: The DEL - Early Learning Florida Health and Safety Modules Cost: Free
As of December 31, 2023, these courses are no longer available. Anyone who was in the process of taking these modules and did not complete the entire required set by December 31, 2023, must complete Option 1 or Option 3.
Option 3: The new School Readiness Preservice Training is available through the Florida Early Childhood Professional Development Registry. Cost: Free
- Child Development in the School Readiness Program (4-hour)
- Health and Nutrition in the School Readiness Program* (4-hour)
- Safe Sleep Practices in Child Care (2-hour; not required for school-age only programs)
- Safety Practices in the School Readiness Program* (5-hour)
- Transportation Safety in Child Care Programs (2-hour; if applicable)
*Indicated required training for all SR child care personnel.
Group Size and Active Credential
School Readiness providers must meet group size requirements which include an active credential component. To learn more about early learning educator requirements, including the Staff and Director Credentials, visit the DCF Child Care Training and Credentialing Requirements website. If you have questions, you may contact DCF at the Child Care Training Information Center at 1-888-352-2842.