The Childcare Center Inspection Program is designed to protect the health of children by preventing the spread of disease in childcare centers.  This program is a partnership between the Department of Health and the Florida Department of Children and Families. Click here to find out What you need to know (17kb; pdf) to learn more about the licensing process.

The Florida Department of Children and Families has primary responsibility in ensuring that children are well cared for in a safe, healthy, positive and educational environment by trained, qualified child care staff.   Please see our Fee Schedule for annual permit fees.

The Escambia County Health Department’s responsibility lies in regulating the sanitation, safety and food hygiene practices in these centers. Please find the Department of Health criteria describing the definitions of a childcare center.  The Department of Health’s governing authority for this program is Florida Administrative Code 65C-22 and Florida Statute 381.006. 

The Sanitation and Safety Inspections require use of the DOH Childcare Inspection Form (788kb; pdf) and are conducted in Escambia County childcare centers twice a year.  The Inspection process entails (but is not limited to the):

• Inspection of diaper changing areas to assure proper sanitation measures are taken
• Inspection of facility bathrooms for functional sewage disposal and hand washing areas
• Inspection of signage promoting proper hand washing and disease prevention
• Inspection of Vermin Control Records
• Inspection of Immunization Records
• Proof of Required Childcare Training
• Proof of Childcare Licensing
• Inspection of general safety practices

The Food Hygiene Inspections are conducted twice a year for those serving non-potentially hazardous food (snacks).  Those serving potentially hazardous foods are inspected quarterly.  The Inspection process entails (but is not limited to the):

• Proper food preparation and handling to prevent food cross contamination
• Proper storage of food items to assure food is kept at the proper temperature

What to do if you have a complaint regarding the sanitation, safety or food hygiene of a Childcare Center:

1. Call our Childcare Inspector at 850.595.6700.
2. The Inspector will contact the Childcare Facility and initiate an investigation.

Childcare Training

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