Child Care
Securing quality day care for younger and school age children is one of the foremost concerns for working parents and guardians. The Florida Department of Children and Family Life offers an online search for licensed day care by county. YMCA organizations and the Boys & Girls Clubs of America provide day care opportunities in many locations.
Florida Department of Children & Family Life
Regional Licensing Specialists
Alachua/Bradford 386-758-1510
Other Areas 904-723-5329
www.state.fl.us/cf_web
Public Education System
Enrollment Requirements
Children eligible for kindergarten enrollment must be five years old on or before September 1st of the current school year. Children eligible for first grade enrollment must have completed kindergarten in a public or non-public school and must be six years old on or before September 1st of the current school year. Documentation needed for registration include a legal birth certificate or other legal evidence of date of birth, physician-signed proof of immunizations, a record of a recent health examination by a Florida physician, and proof of residence. Details about required immunizations and other information that will assist parents in preparing school-age children for education in Florida can be obtained from:
Florida Partnership for School Readiness
Tallahassee 866-FL-READY
www.schoolreadiness.org
Immunization Information
Florida Department of Health
Tallahassee 850-245-4342
www.doh.state.fl.us/disease_ctrl/immune
Assessment & Testing
Florida schools administer the Florida Comprehensive Assessment Test (FCAT), an achievement designed to measure specific Sunshine State Standards benchmarks in reading and math. Test scores are measured on a scoring range from 100 to 500 and grouped into five achievement levels: Level 1 (lowest) to Level 5 (highest). For more details on the FCAT or standardized nationwide tests, contact Accountability, Research & Measurement. For general information or answers to specific questions about Florida education, contact the appropriate offices:
Florida Department of Education
850-245-0505
www.fldoe.org
Alternative Education Resources
While some parents are interested in home schooling, others prefer non-public or private education in parochial or independent schools. The Office of Family Involvement offers information on home education that includes Florida statutes and district contacts. This office also provides information and resources on Florida’s non-public schools, including general requirements, accreditation, and the directory of non-public schools:
Florida Department of Education
Office of Family Involvement
Tallahassee 850-487-3521
www.firn.edu/doe/family
Florida School Choice Office
Non-Public Schools
Tallahassee 850-245-0877
www.floridaschoolchoice.org
National Association of Private, Catholic & Independent Schools
Ann Arbor, MI 734-930-4535
www.napcis.org
State University System
Ten institutions and a wide variety of off-campus centers are encompassed within the Florida State University System. Two of the universities operate academic health centers that combine to offer medical, dental, veterinary medicine, pharmacy, public health programs, health-related professions, and nursing programs.