nsuring that Florida's children are healthy, safe and ready to learn when they reach school is key to improving our schools and communities, Governor Chiles and Lt. Governor MacKay expanded and improved quality school readiness efforts in Florida.

Quality school readiness efforts begin by providing enriching and safe child care environments. By establishing the Gold Seal of Quality for child care providers, it is now easier for parents to evaluate and locate quality child care facilities for their children. Gold Seal Centers must be accredited by one of two national accrediting groups for having low child-to-adult ratios, learning toys and games, safe areas and trained staff. Lt. Governor MacKay, the leader on child care issues in the administration, pushed to expand the successful Gold Seal efforts by advocating an increase in funding for centers that receive the Gold Seal and provide services to families that receive state funds for child care. Chiles/MacKay also fought for mandatory background screenings and criminal record checks for all child care providers who receive state funds.

Under the successful welfare reform initiatives passed by Chiles/MacKay, Florida found itself in the unusual position of providing child care services to welfare recipients, but unable to assist Florida's working families. To correct this imbalance, Lt. Governor MacKay and Governor Chiles fought for additional funding to expand access to quality child care for the working poor — families that earn too much to qualify for welfare but not enough to afford quality school readiness care for their children. As a result, Chiles/MacKay won unprecedented increases in the number of openings in accredited child care facilities providing thousands of Florida working families with the quality child care they need.