Hillsborough County
Presentations
- Provider Meeting presentation – April 22, 2023
- Provider Meeting presentation (Spanish) - April 22, 2023
- Provider Meeting presentation – December 3, 2022
- Provider Meeting presentation (Spanish) – December 3, 2022
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Updated: April 3, 2023
When does the Department of Children and Families officially assume responsibility for child care licensing operations in Hillsborough County?
The contract between DCF and Hillsborough County expires on June 30, 2023; therefore, DCF officially assumes all child care licensing responsibilities in Hillsborough County on July 1, 2023.
If I have a question about my license prior to July 1, 2023, who do I contact?
Please continue to contact your assigned Hillsborough County licensing team until July 1.
What will happen to my current license that was issued by Hillsborough County if my renewal is due after July 1, 2023?
Your current license will be honored by DCF until it expires and/or is requested to be renewed by DCF.
I am a current provider. Will my license number be changing once the Department takes over?
After July 1, 2023, your license number will change at the time your renewal license is issued by DCF. Your currently issued Hillsborough County license number will remain the same and valid until that time. DCF will allow an inspection grace period of six months for this standard once your new license number is issued to allow time for the provider to change signage.
I am a provider wanting to open a new child care license. Where can I find the application and other relevant information, and who do I contact if I have any questions?
As of March 1, 2023, DCF assumed responsibility for responding to all requests for NEW licenses. All applications for initial licenses are completed online. Information and applications can be found by clicking About Child Care Licensure | Florida DCF (myflfamilies.com), and you must create an account on CARES (myflfamilies.com). If you have additional questions after reviewing this information, please send an email request to: @email
I am currently a licensed child care home due to Hillsborough County’s ordinance requiring homes to be licensed. Will this process change once DCF takes over?
Hillsborough County is currently working to draft a new ordinance that will continue to require the licensure of child care homes. When the ordinance is adopted, the requirement will be the same once the Department assumes licensing services. The County Commissioners will discuss and vote on this ordinance before July 1.
Where can I find information about DCF’s classification summary, handbook, and standards?
You can access these and other documents any time by clicking Hillsborough County | Florida DCF (myflfamilies.com) or Child Care | Florida DCF (myflfamilies.com)
What are the differences between Hillsborough County licensing standards versus DCF’s licensing standards?
Hillsborough County is required per the current contract to have additional standards that DCF does not monitor; therefore, once DCF begins conducting inspections, those additional standards will no longer be monitored. The remaining county standards are also ones that DCF monitors. There will be no new licensing standards as of July 1, 2023, unless required by legislative mandate.
How will the Department support Hillsborough County providers?
DCF is currently expanding its child care team by hiring three supervisors, 17 licensing specialists and one attorney that will all be dedicated to serving Hillsborough County. DCF continues to recruit for any remaining positions with the goal of having all positions hired prior to July 1, 2023.
Has DCF hired Spanish-speaking staff?
Yes. DCF has hired one Spanish-speaking supervisor and two Spanish-speaking licensing specialists. DCF will work to hire additional Spanish-speaking licensing specialists and a bilingual attorney.
Will there be changes to the background screening process?
No. All backgrounds with DCF are conducted through the Clearinghouse, which is the same process Hillsborough County uses.
Will there be changes to training and credential requirements for personnel?
No. DCF and Hillsborough County follow the same requirements for minimum introductory training, annual in-service training, and credentials. Proceed to Florida’s child care training and credentialing to see the requirements.
Will providers be required to have all spaces remeasured by DCF after July 1, 2023?
Yes. All providers will be remeasured by DCF during the renewal inspection.
Does DCF conduct unannounced visits?
Yes. DCF conducts the vast majority of site visits unannounced, regardless of the reason for the visit.
How many inspections does DCF conduct annually for child care centers and homes?
DCF conducts three inspections (two routine and one renewal) for child care centers and two inspections (one routine and one renewal) for homes; however, DCF also conducts additional visits for complaints and re-inspections in addition to the these.
How many inspections does DCF conduct for religious exempt providers?
DCF does not conduct routine visits to religious exempt providers; however, DCF does conduct site visits to these providers upon receipt of a complaint related to background screening requirements. Additionally, if the provider is School Readiness and/or Gold Seal, DCF conducts inspections in partnership with the Division of Early Learning and the local Early Learning Coalition.
| Complaints (As needed) | SR (Annual) | Gold Seal 1 | Gold Seal 2 | Gold Seal 3 | |
| Religious Exempt | X | ||||
| Religious Exempt + SR | X | X | |||
| Religious Exempt + Gold Seal | X | X | X | X | |
| Religious Exempt + SR + Gold Seal | X | X * | X | X | X |
*Occurs simultaneously with one of the Gold Seal inspections, not a separate inspection visit
My license has been grandfathered into the 20-square foot rule. Will DCF continue to honor this after July 1, 2023?
Yes.
Does DCF conduct technical assistance (TA), and will this be documented in the inspection reports?
Yes. DCF will conduct TA on site with providers when appropriate, and this will also be reflected in the posted inspection reports.
For additional resources, please visit our website Child Care | Florida DCF (myflfamilies.com) or send us an email with additional questions to @email