Who is responsible for licensing child care facilities in Florida?

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) is the agency responsible for licensing child care facilities in Florida. This department oversees the regulatory framework that ensures child care providers meet specific standards for health, safety, and overall quality of care. By managing the licensing process, the DCF plays a crucial role in protecting the welfare of children in care and ensuring compliance with state regulations.

In contrast, local county health departments primarily deal with public health concerns and may oversee health-related inspections but do not handle the licensing of child care facilities. The Florida Department of Education focuses more on educational standards and the administration of public education rather than licensing child care services. The United States Department of Health addresses broader federal health issues but does not directly oversee state-level child care licensing. Thus, the DCF is specifically designated to manage these responsibilities within Florida.