3. Beginning Training and Break In Service

Question 1

Beginning Training

Answer 1

~ training requirements apply to individuals who work directly with children and meet the definition of child care personnel
~ this includes volunteers who work 10 hours or more per month
~ enrichment activity instructors, such as swimming instructors, piano teachers, dance instructors, and gymnastic coaches, are not required to complete training requirements nor are program support staff who do not work directly with the children
~ child care personnel in compliance with school-age training requirements are considered in compliance with child care personnel training requirements and vice versa

Question 2

Beginning training is defined as completing one of the following:

Within 90 days of employment in the child care industry, child care personnel must begin training and provide documentation to the child care program.

Answer 2

• Attending one of the Department-approved introductory training instructor-led courses
• Beginning one of the Department-approved introductory training online courses
• Receiving results from one of the Department-approved competency exams
• Acquiring an education exemption from Department-approved introductory training courses

Introductory training requirements must be met within 12 months of the date training begins and may not exceed 15 months from the date of employment in any licensed Florida child care facility.

Question 3

Break In Service

Answer 3

~ if an individual leaves the child care industry in compliance with training requirements and returns to the industry, they will be given 90 days to comply with any new training requirements
~ if an individual leaves the industry not in compliance with the training requirements and returns to the industry, they must complete all of the training requirements prior to re-employment