Fla. Admin. Code Ann. R. 60L-38.002 - Child Care Services
(1) Agencies
requesting the establishment of work-site centers shall submit a written plan
to the Department for approval. This plan shall contain the results of a
feasibility study showing the following:
(a)
Number and ages of preschool children identified in target area.
(b) Number of employees indicating
utilization of proposed center.
(c)
Description of proposed child care space as to location, square footage, and
suitability to purpose.
(d) Number
of existing preschool centers in the target area with their licensed capacity
and enrollment.
(e) Estimated
start-up and operational costs of proposed center.
(2) The Department shall respond to each
agency's request by outlining its findings based on established criteria and,
if the plan is approved, in accordance with this rule, recommend a step-by-step
procedure for establishing a child care center.
(3) The following criteria shall be used in
reviewing agency requests for the establishment of state-sponsored child care
centers:
(a) Concentration of state employees
in the area equal to a population density of at least 4 employees with
preschool children for each projected child care slot.
(b) Number of employees indicating at least a
25% utilization of the center by the preschool children in the target
area.
(c) Adequate and appropriate
space for child care purposes which conforms to state physical facility
standards described in Chapter 65C-22, F.A.C.
(d) Nonavailability or inadequacy of
community-provided services in the area.
(4) The sponsoring state agency may provide
for the space, maintenance, utilities and other operating costs associated with
the center.
(5) The contracted
service provider shall have primary responsibility for the day-to-day operation
of the center.
(6) The sponsoring
state agency may elect to operate the center when a second request for
proposals fails to procure a qualified service provider, or when the service
provider's contract is canceled and attempts to procure a qualified provider
are unsuccessful, provided plans for the direct operation by the sponsoring
agency are approved by the Department.
(7) The Department shall approve the
sponsoring agency's written plan for direct operation, provided the plan
outlines the continuing efforts by the agency to secure a qualified provider,
including the following:
(a) Steps to be taken
to make improvements to the physical facility if such improvements are
necessary to attract a quality provider.
(b) Steps to increase center
enrollment.
(c) Steps to broaden
the eligible employee population that supports the center, for example entering
into consortium arrangements with other public sector employers in close
proximity to the center.
(8) State employees who terminate employment
with state government shall be afforded a 45-day grace period for securing
other child care services.
(9) The
service provider shall be responsible for providing quality physical care and
developmental activities appropriate to the ages of the children enrolled in
the center; selecting and managing staff assigned to the center; and managing
the budget and daily operations of the center.
(10) The service provider shall be
responsible for enrolling children of state employees in accordance with the
enrollment policy of the sponsoring agency, pertaining to eligibility and
procedures.
(11) Upon enrollment,
the service provider shall furnish state employees with forms for payroll
deduction. Payroll deduction shall be made in such a manner that a full month's
payment is deducted for employees paid monthly or 26 payments are deducted for
employees paid bi-weekly.
(12) The
service provider shall ensure that parents, the public, and representatives of
the using agencies have reasonable access to the center for purposes of
visitation and observation.
(13)
The service provider shall be responsible for requirements set forth in the
request for proposal for the operation of the center.
Notes
Rulemaking Authority 110.151(7) FS. Law Implemented 110.151 FS.
New 1-1-02, Amended 3-2-17.
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