The Gold Seal Quality Care program, often referred to as the Gold Seal program, was established in Florida in 1996 to recognize exceptional child care facilities and family day care homes. This prestigious designation is awarded to providers who voluntarily go beyond the state’s minimum licensing standards and achieve accreditation from recognized agencies. These agencies uphold rigorous standards that reflect a commitment to high-quality care and supervision for children. Initially under the Department of Children and Families (DCF), the Gold Seal program transitioned to the Department of Education on July 1, 2021, marking a continued emphasis on quality early childhood education.
Participation in the Gold Seal program is entirely voluntary and open to most types of licensed child care providers in Florida. The key exception includes certain license-exempt school-age programs as defined in Chapter 65C-22.008(3), F.A.C. It’s important to understand that the Gold Seal Quality Care Program is not an accreditation itself. Instead, it’s a special designation that acknowledges and rewards providers who have already achieved accreditation, offering several tangible benefits. These advantages are designed to support and promote quality childcare across Florida.
The benefits of achieving the Gold Seal designation are numerous and can significantly enhance a child care provider’s operation and standing. These advantages include:
- Enhanced Marketing and Parent Appeal: The Gold Seal designation serves as a powerful marketing tool, signaling to prospective parents a commitment to excellence. It provides a clear and recognizable indicator of high-quality care, helping Gold Seal providers stand out in a competitive market and attract families seeking the best for their children.
- Sales and Property Tax Exemptions: Gold Seal providers in Florida are eligible for certain tax exemptions. The Florida Department of Revenue provides sales tax exemption certificates, specifically for educational materials used in the childcare program. This exemption covers items like books, art supplies, and educational toys. For property tax exemptions, providers need to contact their local property appraiser’s office, as these applications are processed and issued at the local level.
- Increased School Readiness Program Reimbursement: Providers with the Gold Seal designation receive higher reimbursement rates for participating in the School Readiness Program. This program helps low-income families access quality childcare, and the enhanced reimbursement acknowledges the higher standards of Gold Seal providers. More detailed information about the School Readiness Program can be found on the Department of Education’s website.
- Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program Eligibility: Holding the Gold Seal Quality Care accreditation can be a prerequisite for participating in Florida’s Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program. VPK offers free prekindergarten for all four-year-olds in Florida, and Gold Seal designation can streamline the eligibility process. Further details about the Voluntary Prekindergarten Program are available on the Department of Education’s website.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Gold Seal Quality Care Program
To further clarify the Gold Seal Quality Care program, here are answers to some frequently asked questions:
Is Licensing Mandatory for Gold Seal Qualification?
To qualify for the Gold Seal Quality Care Program, a child care facility, family day care home, or large family child care home must be legally operating. While the Division of Early Learning doesn’t explicitly require state licensure for Gold Seal participation, accreditation bodies themselves may have licensing requirements. For instance, the National Association for Family Child Care mandates licensure for family day care homes seeking their accreditation. Providers who are exempt from state licensing must agree to undergo periodic inspections by the Department of Children and Families (DCF) or local licensing authorities as part of the Gold Seal Provider application process.
What Costs are Involved in Becoming a Gold Seal Provider?
The Division of Early Learning does not impose any application fees for the Gold Seal Quality Care Program designation itself. However, it’s important to note that accrediting associations do charge fees for their accreditation process. These fees typically include an application fee and a validation fee. For precise information regarding accreditation fees and related costs, it’s recommended to directly contact the accrediting association of your choice.
What Steps are Needed to Achieve Accreditation?
To pursue Gold Seal recognition, providers must first become accredited by an accrediting association that is officially recognized by the Division of Early Learning for participation in the Gold Seal Quality Care Program. A comprehensive list of these recognized accrediting associations is available on the Department of Education’s website in PDF format. It is advisable for providers to thoroughly research the various accrediting associations to determine which best aligns with their program’s philosophy, structure, and goals before beginning the accreditation process.
Can a Provider Hold Multiple Accreditations for Gold Seal?
Yes, it is permissible for a child care provider to be accredited by more than one of the approved Gold Seal Quality Care Program accrediting associations. However, it’s important to note that the Department of Children and Families’ Provider Search webpage, which publicly lists Gold Seal providers, typically displays only one accreditation per provider. Having multiple accreditations from approved Gold Seal accrediting bodies does not alter the Gold Seal Quality Care Program reimbursement rate or tax benefits; the benefits are tied to achieving Gold Seal designation, not the number of accreditations.
How Long Does Gold Seal Certification Take After Application?
Once a complete Gold Seal Quality Care Provider application is submitted, the processing time is generally around three weeks. However, for license-exempt providers who lack an inspection history within the past two years, an inspection will be necessary before application approval. This inspection requirement may extend the overall processing timeframe. Upon successful application approval, the Children’s Forum will issue an electronic Gold Seal certificate.
Who Handles Tax Exemptions for Gold Seal Providers?
The Florida Department of Revenue is responsible for issuing sales tax exemption certificates to Gold Seal designated providers. This sales tax exemption applies to specific educational materials. These materials primarily include items directly used for educational purposes, such as books, crayons, educational toys, glue, paint, paper, craft supplies, and scissors. The application for a Sales Tax Exemption for Gold Seal Quality Care Child Care Facilities can be found on the Gold Seal Quality Care Program page of the Children’s Forum website.
For property tax exemption inquiries and applications, providers should contact their local property appraiser’s office. Additional information and resources regarding property tax exemptions can be found on the Florida Department of Revenue website.
For further information about the Gold Seal Quality Care Program, please contact:
Telephone: 1-888-352-4453
Email: [email protected]
