CS/HB 7017 - Early Learning Summary

• Changes terminology from "family day care home" to "family child care home" throughout Florida Statutes and includes large family child care homes in local zoning regulations

• Redefines "substantial compliance" for child care programs and requires the Department of Children and Families to adopt rules for compliance by regulated but unlicensed programs

• Creates a certificate requirement for nonpublic schools and providers operating Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) programs or school readiness programs, with annual examination of premises and records

• Establishes abbreviated inspections for child care facilities with no Class I or II violations for 2+ consecutive years and requires various personnel training updates including numeracy, early literacy, and language development

• Requires pilot project studying early literacy assessment of English Language Learner VPK participants in both English and Spanish, with reports due to Legislature by July 1, 2016 and 2017; Act effective July 1, 2015