Child Care Training and Accreditation Provider Evaluation Services (CCTAPES)

Child Care Training and Accreditation Provider Evaluation Services (CCTAPES) is an evaluation unit established by the Florida Department of Children and Families Child Care Program Office at the Children's Forum.

CCTAPES has two purposes:

• To evaluate applications and determine eligibility of early childhood training providers as Florida Child Care Professional Credential (FCCPC) training program providers. CCTAPES staff provide services to organizations that offer FCCPC training programs in Florida. If you are an individual with questions about obtaining an FCCPC, please contact the Child Care Training Services Center at the Children's Forum toll-free at (888) 352-2842 or visit their web page at www.flchild.com/cctsc.php. They will be happy to help you with your training questions.
• To evaluate applications and determine eligibility of national accrediting organizations for designation as Gold Seal Quality Care Accrediting Associations. There are currently 14 approved Accrediting Associations in Florida. CCTAPES staff can also assist owners/operators of child care programs in Florida with questions about becoming a Gold Seal program, as well as current Gold Seal programs with questions about their status.

In addition, CCTAPES maintains the state database of child care programs that have attained Gold Seal status. There are approximately 2,600 Gold Seal centers and homes in Florida at this time.

CCTAPES is staffed by early childhood specialists who are available to answer your questions Monday - Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. EST. The phone number is 888-FL-CHILD (888-352-4453).

More Information

Visit the Department of Children and Families, Child Care Program Office web page, the FCCPC Training Program Providers web page or the Gold Seal web page.

Have more questions about CCTAPES? Visit our FAQ's page.