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The aim of our web site is to provide child care and licensing
information and resources to potential providers, current
licensees, parents, and anyone interested in child care.
PCLB works in collaboration with providers, parents, and
community agencies to encourage high quality child care
services.
The Pinellas County License Board (PCLB) licenses and monitors
out of home child care in children's centers and in family
child care homes. There are approximately 1,100 licensed child care
facilities (over 600 family child care homes and
more than 400 children's centers) with a total capacity
exceeding 42,000 children.
It is unlawful to operate a children's center or a family child
care home without first obtaining a license. In 2004, the
Board of Directors approved an exemption from licensure
for home care providers when one provider household cares
for children from only one additional household.
Facilities are monitored at least twice yearly for minimum health and
safety standards and developmentally appropriate activities.
For children's centers and family child care homes that
are consistently in noncompliance, more frequent monitoring,
technical assistance, enforcement and negative sanctions
may be used to bring them back into compliance. If, however,
the facility is still unable to maintain compliance, the
ultimate penalty is revocation of the license. Very few
facilities reach this step.
PCLB is a governmental regulatory agency and as such is subject
to Government in the Sunshine. The License Board was created
by a special act for Pinellas County in 1951. Our current
law, Chapter 61-2681 Laws of Florida, was adopted by the
legislature in 1961 and amended in 1970 by Chapter 70-893.
The PCLB's Board of Directors has the authority and duty to
adopt new rules and regulations. Since 1961 many standards
have been added to ensure the mission and purpose of the
law: to protect the health, safety, and mental development
of children.
All current regulations for children's centers and family child
care homes are contained in:
Licensing Regulations Governing:
Chapter
61-2681  ,
amended by Chapter
70-893 , Laws of Florida, can be
reviewed in its original text.
Board
Membership, as prescribed in Chapter 61-2681, amended
by Chapter 70-893, Laws of Florida, is comprised of representatives
from seven community organizations:
One representative from:
- The Board of County Commissioners
- The Juvenile Welfare Board
- The Department of Children and Families
- Pinellas County Schools
- The County Health Department
Two representatives from:
- The Pinellas Early Childhood Association
The law also establishes a seven member Advisory Committee (to the Board) comprised of a family child care home provider and children’s center operators who are experienced and in good standing with the LB; persons qualified by education and experience; and a past Board Chairman.
We hope our web site and our links to early childhood care
and education topics are helpful and informative. For additional
information or if you have questions, call our office
at 727-507-4857.
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