Who is primarily responsible for regulating licensed child care facilities in Florida?

The primary responsibility for regulating licensed child care facilities in Florida falls to the Office of Child Care Regulation and Background Screening. This office operates under the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) and is dedicated to ensuring that child care providers meet the state's health, safety, and quality standards. The office conducts inspections, reviews applications for licensing, and monitors compliance with state regulations to protect the welfare of children in care.

By focusing on the regulation of child care facilities, this office helps to maintain a standard of care that aligns with the legal requirements established in Florida. It also conducts background screenings for individuals working with children, ensuring that those in trusted positions are suitable and safe.

The involvement of local community organizations, city or municipal police departments, and state health inspectors, while important in their respective areas, does not address the specific regulatory oversight of child care facilities in the way that the Office of Child Care Regulation and Background Screening does.