Florida Administrative Code
65 - DEPARTMENT OF CHILDREN AND FAMILIES
65C - Family Safety and Preservation Program
Chapter 65C-45 - LEVELS OF LICENSURE
Section 65C-45.016 - Babysitting, Overnight Care, Extended Overnight Care, and Other Supervision Arrangements for all Levels of Licensure

Universal Citation: FL Admin Code R 65C-45.016

Current through Reg. 50, No. 187; September 24, 2024

(1) The licensed out-of-home caregiver is responsible for ensuring that individuals providing babysitting are suitable for the age, developmental level, and behaviors of the children. The licensed out-of-home caregiver shall use a reasonable and prudent parent standard, as defined in Section 39.4091(2)(c), F.S., in choosing the babysitters or assessing a child's ability to stay home alone.

(2) The licensed out-of-home caregiver is responsible for ensuring babysitters receive instructions that cover protocol for handling emergencies, including telephone numbers for the licensed out-of-home caregiver, case manager, and physician. The discipline policy and confidentiality policy shall be clearly explained.

(3) Babysitting does not have to occur in a licensed setting.

(4) If the alternate care being provided for the child meets the definition of "child care" as defined in Section 402.302, F.S., the child care personnel must meet the standards set forth in Section 402.305(2), F.S.

(5) Extended overnight care.

(a) Families shall take children in their care on family vacations and trips whenever possible. Caregivers shall notify the child welfare professional in advance of all overnight stays exceeding three (3) nights.

(b) The following procedures apply when the caregiver must be absent for more than three (3) nights and the child cannot accompany him or her:
1. Foster parents will be allowed to select families or individuals who are well known to them to care for the children in their absence. At the time of licensing and relicensing, licensed caregivers shall identify the families or individuals who provide temporary alternate care for the children in their care.

2. Except in emergency circumstances, the adults in these families must have criminal and child abuse background checks including fingerprinting. In emergency circumstances, a full background screening will be initiated the next business day. Such persons shall be recorded in the Unified Home Study module in the Florida Safe Families Network (FSFN).

Rulemaking Authority 39.4091(4), 409.175(5) FS. Law Implemented 39.4091(2), (3), 409.175(5) FS.

New 4-26-20.

Disclaimer: These regulations may not be the most recent version. Florida may have more current or accurate information. We make no warranties or guarantees about the accuracy, completeness, or adequacy of the information contained on this site or the information linked to on the state site. Please check official sources.
This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.