How to start a daycare in Florida.
Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) licenses child care centers in Florida. These are the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 3, 2026.
Opening a child care center in Florida, step by step
Take the opening course
DCF suggests its online course, Opening a Child Care Facility, before you start.
Source: Opening a Licensed Child Care FacilityContact your local licensing office
Talk to your local child care licensing office before you fill out an application.
Source: Opening a Licensed Child Care FacilityGet local zoning approval
Every applicant must get zoning approval from the local government.
Source: Opening a Licensed Child Care FacilityPass a fire inspection
A certified fire inspector must inspect your facility before it is licensed, and then every year.
Source: Opening a Licensed Child Care FacilityFinish the required training
Complete all required training and pass the exams. No license is issued until you do.
Source: Opening a Licensed Child Care FacilityClear background screening
Owners, staff and volunteers must be cleared before you are licensed.
Source: Opening a Licensed Child Care FacilityApply online in CARES
Apply for your license online through DCF's CARES application.
Source: About Child Care LicensurePass the pre-licensure inspection
DCF inspects your facility while your application is processed. You get a license only when every issue is fixed.
Source: Opening a Licensed Child Care Facility
At a glance
- Who licenses centers
- Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). Inspects and licenses child care facilities in 63 of Florida's 67 counties.Source: About Child Care Licensure
- Child care facility
- Care for more than 5 children not related to the operator, for paySource: 2026 Florida Statutes, Section 402.302: Definitions
- Operator age
- 21 or olderSource: Opening a Licensed Child Care Facility
- Indoor space
- At least 35 square feet per childSource: Opening a Licensed Child Care Facility
- License length
- One yearSource: Opening a Licensed Child Care Facility
- Rules for centers
- Chapter 65C-22, Florida Administrative CodeSource: Child Care Laws and Requirements
Good to know
- Broward, Palm Beach, Pinellas and Sarasota counties run their own child care licensing. Contact the county there.Source: About Child Care Licensure
- Once licensed, a facility gets at least three inspections each year.Source: Opening a Licensed Child Care Facility
Run a program in Florida? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a home daycare in Florida
The kinds of home daycare the state allows, and the steps.
- Florida licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Daycare business plan
How to write a plan for funding and licensing.
- Tuition calculator
Typical rates by state and age group.
- Ratio calculator
Staff needed for each age group, by state.
Questions, answered
How do I start a daycare in Florida?
The first step: Take the opening course. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who licenses child care centers in Florida?
Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). Inspects and licenses child care facilities in 63 of Florida's 67 counties.
About this page
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 3, 2026.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
Questions about childcare in Florida?
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