The Gold Seal Quality Care Program

The Gold Seal Quality Care Program does not contain a set of independent standards; rather, it is a level of care that exceeds the minimum licensing standards by meeting the higher standards set by the approved accrediting agencies. The Child Care Program Office is tasked with ensuring that the accrediting agencies approved for participation are of sufficient variety to meet the needs of all child care providers. (i.e., faith-based, school-age, Montessori, school-based, private, etc.).

The Gold Seal Quality Care Program does not contain a set of independent standards. Rather, it is a level of care that exceeds the minimum child care licensing standards established by the Florida Statutes ( F.S. ) and the Florida Administrative Code ( F.A.C ) by meeting the higher standards of the approved accrediting agencies. Child care providers who are accredited by one or more of the approved agencies, are issued a Gold Seal certificate by the Child Care Program Office recognizing their achievement.

The Gold Seal Quality Care Program is a voluntary program with benefits of participation including, but not limited to: a positive marketing tool for parents, sales tax exemption, and an increased reimbursement rate for children participating in school readiness programs. In addition, designation as a Gold Seal Quality Care Program satisfies the program eligibility requirement for participation in the Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program