Starting a career in early childhood education is exciting—and at Jelly Bean Junction, we want every educator to succeed. To do that, we follow the official child care training requirements set by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). These standards ensure that our caregivers are not only qualified but also confident, capable, and committed to the children in our care.
Whether you’re a new hire or a curious parent, this guide outlines how Jelly Bean Junction supports staff through every training milestone, from day one to full certification and beyond.
Your Guide to Child Care Training Requirements
Within the First 30 Days: Building a Safety Foundation
The first phase of the child care training requirements focuses on safety:
-
Fire Extinguisher Training: Learn how to properly use a fire extinguisher through DCF’s Orientation or a center-specific session.
-
Safe Sleep & Shaken Baby Syndrome: Required for staff working with infants. Choose from:
-
DCF Safe Sleep Practices (1 hour)
-
Early Learning Florida Safe Sleep (1 hour)
-
DCF Health, Safety, and Nutrition (8 hours)
-
These trainings help prevent emergencies and protect the youngest, most vulnerable children.
Within 90 Days: Starting the Core Curriculum
By day 90, employees must begin formal training or qualify for an exemption. This includes:
-
Enrolling in Part I or Part II of the 40-hour DCF course
-
Taking the required competency exams
-
Or receiving an educational exemption
This step ensures that all team members are on the path to meeting the full child care training requirements.
Before Caring for Children: Immediate Readiness
Even before stepping into the classroom, staff must:
-
Understand the facility’s exposure control plan (standard precautions, sanitization procedures)
-
Complete mandatory training for medication administration and transportation
At Jelly Bean Junction, these requirements are met before a caregiver interacts with children—because readiness matters from day one.
Within One Year: Achieving Certification
Employees must complete two major components of the child care training requirements within one year of employment and training start date:
-
Early Literacy Training
A 5-hour course on early literacy is required. It can be:-
Online through a DCF-approved provider
-
A department-approved training
-
Or a college-level literacy course
-
-
40-Hour Required DCF Training
Part I – 30 Hours:-
Rules and Regulations
-
Health, Safety, and Nutrition
-
Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting
-
Child Growth and Development
-
Behavioral Observation & Screening
Part II – 10 Hours:
-
Developmentally Appropriate Practices (5 hours)
-
PLUS: A specialized module for infants, preschool, school-age children—or special needs (5–10 hours)
-
All modules must be completed, and competency exams passed, to fulfill Florida’s child care training requirements.
Annually: Continued Professional Growth
Every year, between July 1 and June 30, caregivers must complete:
-
10 hours of in-service training
-
Or 1.0 Continuing Education Units (CEUs)
This ensures continued compliance and professional growth—two things we deeply value at Jelly Bean Junction.
Feeling Confused? Our Teacher Trainer Is Here to Help
Navigating the various child care training requirements—deadlines, course selections, exam dates—can be overwhelming, especially for those new to the field. That’s why Jelly Bean Junction has a dedicated Teacher Trainer on staff.
Our Teacher Trainer:
-
Provides one-on-one coaching to help staff understand each training milestone
-
Helps new hires get registered on the DCF system
-
Tracks progress and deadlines to keep you on schedule
-
Assists with preparing for exams and requesting exemptions
If you’re ever unsure of what comes next, you’re not alone. Our Teacher Trainer is here to guide you every step of the way.
Jelly Bean Junction Goes Beyond the Minimum
We don’t just meet the child care training requirements—we exceed them. Our Professional Development Plan includes:
-
Paid training scholarships
-
Step-by-step training support
-
Personalized mentorship from our Teacher Trainer
-
Guidance toward leadership and long-term career paths
Whether you’re pursuing your first certificate or preparing for a director role, Jelly Bean Junction is here to help you grow.
Helpful Resources