How to start a home daycare in Florida.
Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) oversees home daycares in Florida. These are the kinds it allows and the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 3, 2026.
The kinds of home daycare Florida allows
Registered family child care home
Up to 10 children, with no more than 5 of preschool age
It registers with DCF each year instead of getting a license.
Source: Becoming a Registered Family Day Care Home ProviderLicensed family child care home
Up to 10 children, with no more than 5 of preschool age
It holds a DCF license and gets inspected. Some counties require it.
Source: 2026 Florida Statutes, Section 402.302: DefinitionsLarge family child care home
Up to 12 children, with no more than 4 under 24 months
It needs two full-time workers. You must first run a licensed family child care home for 2 years.
Source: 2026 Florida Statutes, Section 402.302: Definitions
Starting a home daycare in Florida, step by step
Check your county's rule
Some counties do not allow registration. A family child care home there must be licensed.
Source: About Family Child Care Home RegistrationGet approval for your home
Get written approval from your local government, homeowners association and landlord. Or sign an attestation instead.
Source: Becoming a Registered Family Day Care Home ProviderFinish 35 hours of training
Complete the 30-hour family child care home course and a 5-hour early literacy course.
Source: About Family Child Care Home RegistrationTo register, send an Intent to Apply
New applicants for registration start by filling out the Intent to Apply form.
Source: About Family Child Care Home RegistrationClear background screening
You, your substitute, adults in your home and children 12 to 17 must be cleared first.
Source: Opening a Licensed Family Day Care HomeFor a license, apply online in CARES
Apply for a family child care home or large home license through DCF's CARES application.
Source: About Child Care LicensureFor a license, pass the home inspection
Once your application is complete, DCF inspects your home before it licenses you.
Source: Opening a Licensed Family Day Care HomeFor registration, wait for your letter
Do not start care until you finish registering and get a registration letter from DCF.
Source: About Family Child Care Home Registration
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). Licenses large family child care homes. It licenses or registers family child care homes.Source: About Child Care Licensure
- Who must register or be licensed
- Anyone caring for children from more than one unrelated family at homeSource: About Family Child Care Home Registration
- Your own children
- Children under 13 who live in your home count toward the limitSource: 2026 Florida Statutes, Section 402.302: Definitions
- Operator age
- 18 or older for a family child care homeSource: Becoming a Registered Family Day Care Home Provider
- Registered homes
- Not inspected by DCF, but they report to DCF each yearSource: About Family Child Care Home Registration
- Rules for homes
- Chapter 65C-20, 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
- Fifteen counties require a license, so a home there cannot register. They are Brevard, Broward, Clay, Duval, Hernando, Hillsborough, Manatee and Miami-Dade. The others are Nassau, Palm Beach, Pasco, Pinellas, Polk, Sarasota and Saint Johns.Source: Becoming a Registered Family Day Care Home Provider
- Cities and counties cannot use zoning to ban a family child care home. A neighborhood association's rules can.Source: Becoming a Registered Family Day Care Home Provider
- Some cities and counties require an occupational license for a family child care home.Source: Opening a Licensed Family Day Care Home
- Florida law now says family child care home. Many DCF pages still say family day care home.Source: 2026 Florida Statutes, Section 402.302: Definitions
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 daycare in Florida
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- 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 home daycare in Florida?
The first step: Check your county's rule. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in Florida?
Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). Licenses large family child care homes. It licenses or registers family child care homes.
How many children can a home daycare in Florida care for?
Registered family child care home: Up to 10 children, with no more than 5 of preschool age. Licensed family child care home: Up to 10 children, with no more than 5 of preschool age. Large family child care home: Up to 12 children, with no more than 4 under 24 months.
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.
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