The News-Press Southwest Florida offers a wide spectrum. Lee, Collier and Charlotte counties have about 700 centers and family homes. That number does not include many church-run day cares, which are exempt from state licensing or registration. State laws outline requirements for licensed centers and homes. Department of Children and Families counselors inspect centers three times a year and homes twice a year.
Registered homes are exempt from regular inspections.
Inspections cover many aspects that affect quality, such as cleanliness of changing tables and sturdiness of playground equipment. DCF counselors also monitor staff training requirements. The state's role in activities and curriculum are less clear-cut. For example, nothing in state law says a provider can't leave a baby in a swing or a toddler in front of a TV for three hours. The state's administrative code instead discusses providing age-appropriate and planned activities.