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Childcare Credential Training

The Florida Department of Children and Families, which serves as the regulating agency for childcare centers and educators in the state, has authorized Eastern Florida State College to offer childcare credential training courses through the same classes that are part of the college's Early Childhood Education program.

This includes courses that qualify toward these state of Florida credentials:

  • FCCPC/Staff Credential
  • Director Credential
  • Director Credential Renewal

You can enroll in these courses as a non-degree-seeking student for the purpose of professional development. If you later decide to enroll in the Early Childhood Education A.S. degree or any of the related College Credit Certificates (CCC) at Eastern Florida, credit for the courses taken for state certification can apply toward the degree or a CCC. Students already planning to earn the A.S. degree or a CCC can also apply for state credentials once they have completed the required courses.

Because the pathway to state certification varies based on each student's situation, review the requirements and contact the program manager for personalized advising.

Childcare Credential Training

Overview

Course Type
Training courses for the Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC / Staff Credential) and the Director Credential
Delivery Method
On-Campus
Location
Cocoa, Melbourne
Contact Information
Kelly Shaver, Program Manager
shaverk@easternflorida.edu 
321-433-5728
Class Schedule

Credential Requirements

Eastern Florida State College offers courses that can be taken to help you meet the application requirements for the following state-issued credentials:

FCCPC/Staff Credential

Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC) training enables you to apply for your Florida Staff Credential—which certifies that your education and experience meet the DCF's established criteria for early childhood education professionals. Licensed childcare centers statewide must have at least one credentialed staff member per 20 children.

The core requirements for the FCCPC include:

  • An accredited high school diploma or GED®
  • 40-Hour DCF Introductory Child Care Training (Parts I and II)
  • 480 contact hours with children in an early childhood setting (80 of which must be completed while you are taking the required instruction courses)
  • A minimum of 120 hours of early childhood instruction
  • An early childhood portfolio
  • Formal observation

EFSC offers a combination of four courses that satisfy the 120-hour instruction requirement — the same courses that are required for our Infant/Toddler Specialization CCC:

  • EEC 1200: Early Childhood Curriculum
  • EEC 2710: Conflict Resolution in Early Childhood
  • EEC 2251: Developing Curriculum for Infants and Toddlers
  • EEC 1942: Early Childhood Practicum

The courses also provide the opportunity to satisfy the formal observation and portfolio requirements. If you hold an A.A., A.S., B.S., or B.A. degree, check with the DCF to determine the total number of courses you must take to earn the FCCPC/Staff Credential, as it may be fewer than four. Once you have passed your courses and met the other Staff Credential requirements, you can apply for your Florida Staff Credential through the Department of Children and Families:

DCF Staff Credential Application Information Requirements and Portfolio Checklist 480-Hour Tracking Sheet 80-Hour Tracking Sheet
Director Credential

The State of Florida requires all licensed childcare facilities and VPK programs to employ at least one person with a Director Credential, which qualifies you to work in an early childhood ed leadership role and must be renewed every five years.

The core requirements for this credential include:

  • An active FCCPC Staff Credential
  • An accredited high school diploma or GED®
  • 30-Hour DCF Introductory Child Care Training (Part I)
  • 8 hours of in-service training on children with disabilities

Beyond these core requirements, your education and experience determine which Director Credential level you will be eligible to apply for: Level I, Level II, or Advanced Level. Review the state requirements, which can include completion of an approved childcare management course.

EFSC helps you to meet this requirement by offering EEC 1523: Overview of Child Care Center Management — one of the courses required for our Child Care Center Management CCC. Once you have passed this course and met the other Director Credential requirements, you can apply for your Florida Director Credential through the Department of Children and Families:

DCF Director Credential Application Information

Director Credential Renewal

The Florida Department of Children and Families requires you to renew your Director Credential once every five years. One of the requirements for renewal is completion of a CEU (Continuing Education Unit) comprised of at least three credit hours. At EFSC, the following courses meet this requirement:

  • EEX 2010: Introduction to Special Education
  • Any 3-credit-hour course with an EEC course code

Please note that you should never repeat a course for the purpose of satisfying a credential or renewal requirement.