Florida DCF RNRF Vocabulary Study Guide
1. Licensing Terms
Department of Children and Families (DCF) — The Florida agency responsible for
licensing and regulating child care facilities.
Child Care Facility — A place that provides care, protection, and supervision of
children, for a fee, for more than one hour per day.
License — Legal document issued by DCF that authorizes operation of a child care
facility.
Provisional License — A temporary license issued when a facility is in substantial
compliance but needs to correct minor issues.
Revocation — The process of taking away a license due to noncompliance or serious
violations.
Registration — Required for family day care homes; not the same as a license.
Substantial Compliance — Meeting most licensing standards with only minor
corrections needed.
2. Facility Operations
Director/Operator — Person responsible for the overall operation of the facility and
ensuring compliance with laws and rules.
Capacity — Maximum number of children that may be cared for at one time, as stated
on the license.
Ratio — The required number of child care staff per group of children, based on age.
Supervision — Directly watching and guiding children’s activities to ensure safety.
Screening — Background checks and verification of good moral character for all child
care personnel.
Training Transcript — The official record showing completion of DCF training
requirements.
3. Health & Safety
Sanitation — Maintaining cleanliness to prevent the spread of illness.
Isolation Area — Designated space for children who become ill while in care.
Communicable Disease — Illness that can be spread from one person to another.
First Aid Kit — Supplies kept for treating minor injuries.
Emergency Plan — Written procedures for responding to fire, natural disaster, or other
emergencies.
Fire Drill — Practice of emergency evacuation; required monthly.
4. Staff Requirements
Child Care Personnel — Includes owners, operators, employees, and volunteers
working in the facility.
Credentialed Staff — Personnel with a DCF Staff Credential (e.g., CDA or FCCPC).
In-Service Training — Annual training required to maintain knowledge and skills
(minimum of 10 hours per year).
Background Screening — Fingerprinting and checks against state and federal databases.
5. Child Welfare
Child Abuse — Any willful act that results in physical, mental, or sexual harm to a child.
Neglect — Failure to provide a child with proper care, supervision, food, shelter, or
medical attention.
Mandatory Reporter — All child care personnel must report suspected abuse or
neglect.
Florida Abuse Hotline — The number to report suspected abuse or neglect: 1-800-96-
ABUSE.
6. Recordkeeping
Enrollment Record — Contains emergency contact, health, and family information for
each child.
Daily Attendance Record — Logs the time each child arrives and leaves each day.
Medical Record — Includes immunization and health exam forms.
Inspection Report — Issued after DCF or local licensing visits; must be posted visibly.
7. Nutrition & Food Service
USDA Meal Pattern — Guidelines for nutritious meals and snacks served to children.
Food Handling — Safe preparation, storage, and service of food.
Sanitary — Clean and free from disease-causing organisms.
8. Environment & Equipment
Indoor Space — Must have at least 35 square feet of usable space per child.
Outdoor Space — Must have at least 45 square feet per child for play areas.
Developmentally Appropriate — Activities and equipment that match children’s ages
and abilities.
Crib/Playpen Safety — Equipment must meet current safety standards and be kept
clean.
9. Legal & Administrative
Statute — A written law passed by the Florida Legislature (e.g., Chapter 402, F.S.).
Rule — The details of how laws are implemented (e.g., Chapter 65C-22, F.A.C.).
Noncompliance — Failure to follow licensing laws or rules.
Disciplinary Sanction — Action taken by DCF for noncompliance (warning, fine,
suspension, revocation).
Enforcement — DCF’s responsibility to monitor and ensure compliance.
10. Professionalism
Ethics — Standards of professional behavior.
Confidentiality — Protecting private information about children and families.
Professional Development — Ongoing learning to improve child care skills.
Teamwork — Cooperating with co-workers, families, and agencies to support children.
Practice Quiz
1. What is the difference between a provisional license and a standard license?
2. How many square feet of indoor space is required per child?
3. Who is considered a mandatory reporter?
4. Name two items that must be included in a child’s enrollment record.
5. What is the Florida Abuse Hotline number?
6. What does ‘substantial compliance’ mean?
7. List two responsibilities of the child care facility director.
8. How often must fire drills be conducted?
9. Define ‘developmentally appropriate’ activities.
10. What action might DCF take for noncompliance?
