| If you are wondering how to start a daycare in | | | | are contagious in any way, they will not be |
| Florida, there are several resources that you can | | | | allowed at the daycare until they have a clean bill |
| use to find out all of the requirements needed. | | | | of health. |
| Doing online research or contacting your state or | | | | An adult accessible first aid kit is required and |
| local licensing department is a good place to start. | | | | should be readily available for any emergency |
| The adult to child ratio varies greatly in | | | | mishaps that may happen. This kit should include |
| commercialized daycare facilities and in-home | | | | bandages, tweezers, adhesive tape, gauze, syrup |
| daycares in the state of Florida. The ratio for | | | | of ipecac (for vomit inducement from accidental |
| infants in a center-based facility is 4:1, whereas in | | | | poisoning), disposable gloves, scissors and an |
| an in-home daycare, if the children are between | | | | up-to-date guide to first aid and CPR. It is also |
| birth and 24 months, the ratio is 8:2. The numbers | | | | required by Florida State that all daycare workers |
| increase as the age of the children progress. | | | | must be certified in first aid and CPR. |
| There is a long list of health related requirements | | | | In an in-home daycare facility, Florida State |
| in Florida that must be strictly followed. These | | | | requires that a minimum of 35 square feet be |
| range from the amount of individual napping space | | | | readily available for the children to play in. Storage |
| required between children (at least 18 inches) to | | | | units, shelves and toy boxes can be considered |
| the rule that all animals, from rodents to dogs | | | | part of that square footage. Furniture should be |
| must be fully immunized and deemed safe. | | | | child friendly and sharp corners from fireplaces |
| Hygiene and sanitation are important elements | | | | and coffee tables must be padded to avoid injury. |
| when running a daycare facility. Wiping down all | | | | A minimum of 270 square feet of outdoor living |
| tables, chairs, surfaces, toys and cubbies several | | | | space is required for those over the age of 12 |
| times a day will limit the amount of transferable | | | | months. It is also necessary to have a fenced in |
| germs, keeping your daycare children as healthy | | | | yard (higher than 4 feet). |
| as possible and will lessen the chance of them | | | | These are just some of the many suggestions |
| passing sicknesses onto other members in the | | | | and requirements in how to start a daycare in |
| daycare. An important thing to note is that it is | | | | Florida. Doing more research, getting certified and |
| important to set guidelines to the parents that if a | | | | fully licensed is the first place that you should |
| child is obviously not feeling well, if they have | | | | start so you can get on your way to this new, |
| head lice, if they are running a fever or if they | | | | successful career opportunity. |