Florida Regulations 65C-45.016: Babysitting, Overnight Care, Extended Overnight Care, and Other Supervision Arrangements for all Levels of Licensure
Current as of: 2024 | Check for updates
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(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 Florida Statutes § 402.302, the child care personnel must meet the standards set forth in Florida Statutes § 402.305(2)
(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 Florida Statutes § 39.4091(4), 409.175(5) FS. Law Implemented 39.4091(2), (3), 409.175(5) FS. History-New 4-26-20.
(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 Florida Statutes § 402.302, the child care personnel must meet the standards set forth in Florida Statutes § 402.305(2)
(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 Florida Statutes § 39.4091(4), 409.175(5) FS. Law Implemented 39.4091(2), (3), 409.175(5) FS. History-New 4-26-20.