Written by

Jennifer Carlson

August 8, 2025

Edited by

Tara Farmer

How to open a daycare in Florida

Opening a daycare in Florida can be a rewarding business, but it requires careful planning and strict adherence to state regulations. This guide walks you through the essential steps, requirements, and resources for starting a home-based or center-based daycare in Florida, using the most current regulations and verified government sources.

1. Start the licensing process

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) oversees all child care licensing in the state. Licensing is mandatory for most child care providers, with specific rules depending on the size and type of your operation.

Types of child care licenses in Florida

Depending on whether you plan to operate the daycare from a residence or non-residential facility and the number of children you plan on caring for, Florida has different child care license categories, each with different requirements:

• Family Day Care Home (FDCH): 3 to 10 children in your home, including your own children under age 13

• Large Family Child Care Home: 7 to 12 children in your home, with at least two caregivers present

• Child Care Facility (CCF): More than 12 children in a non-residential, center-based setting

Attend a licensing orientation

All prospective providers must complete a DCF licensing orientation. This covers state laws, health and safety standards, and the application process. Orientation is available online through the Florida DCF Child Care Training portal.

Staff-to-child ratios

In order to maintain the safety and wellbeing of all the children in your care, Florida places limits on how many children each caregiver or teacher can watch at any given time:

2. Complete training

Mandatory training for caregivers includes a 40-hour DCF-approved introductory course, a 5-hour (or 0.5 CEU) early literacy training, and annual in-service training of at least 10 hours. All child care personnel must start training within 90 days and complete it within a year.

Additional training may include:

• Fire extinguisher use, medication administration, and safety precautions

• Safe sleep practices for infant care

• Infant and child CPR and first aid

• Transportation safety training

Background checks

In addition to training and before licensure, all teens or adults (age 12+) living in a home daycare and all staff at a daycare center must pass a Level 2 background screening. This includes fingerprinting and checks against state and federal databases.

3. Prepare your facility

The setup of your physical space plays a vital role in both securing your license and delivering high-quality care. While requirements differ between home-based daycares and commercial centers, both must prioritize safety and a child-centered design.

Regardless of the type of daycare you choose to operate, your facility must fully comply with all health, safety, and fire regulations, as well as any additional standards set by state and local authorities.

Space requirements

Home daycares must provide a safe, clean, and child-friendly environment. There are no minimum square footage requirements for home daycares, but your space must accommodate activities, meals, and napping.

Child care centers must have at least 35 square feet per child in activity areas.

Outdoor play areas

Home daycares must have a fenced, safe, and age-appropriate outdoor play area. There are no specific square footage requirements.

Child care centers must have at least 45 square feet per child in the outdoor play area.

Safety

Home daycares must be free of hazards, have working smoke detectors, fire extinguishers, and emergency exits.

Child care centers must comply with local zoning, fire, and health regulations. They also need to obtain all required permits and inspections before applying for a license.

Supplies

Invest in high-quality furniture, age-appropriate toys, and durable learning materials. You'll need cribs for infants, cots for older kids' naptimes, child-sized tables and chairs, and lots of educational books for all ages. Check out our Ultimate Daycare Supplies List to make sure you have everything you need.

4. Submit your application

After completing your training and preparing your facility, submit your application online via the Florida DCF Child Care Licensing portal. You'll need:

• Completed application form

• Proof of training and certifications

• Background screening clearance

• Floor plans and site plans

• Fire and health inspection certificates

• Proof of property ownership or lease

• Local zoning and business permit approvals

5. Facility inspection

The inspection phase begins once the state reviews and approves your application. A DCF licensing specialist will inspect your home or center to verify compliance with all health, safety, and program standards. Be prepared to demonstrate emergency procedures, daily routines, and staff qualifications.

6. Pay licensing fees

Once your child care facility passes the inspection, you'll have to pay a licensing fee to receive your license. The fee depends on your facility type:

7. Develop a handbook

Clear, well-written policies help set expectations for families and staff. Create a short handbook with your center's rules to ensure consistency and protect your business. Your handbook should cover:

• Hours of operation and holidays

• Tuition, fees, and payment policies

• Enrollment and withdrawal procedures

• Health, illness, and immunization requirements

• Discipline and behavior management

• Emergency and safety protocols

• Staff qualifications and training

• Meals, snacks, and nap schedules

• Reporting suspected abuse or neglect

Updating policies

A daycare provider should update their policies and procedures whenever there are changes in state or federal regulations, health and safety guidelines, or after a significant incident at the facility. Updates may also be necessary when introducing new programs or in response to feedback from staff or families.

Regularly reviewing and revising policies ensures ongoing compliance, keeps families informed, and helps maintain a safe, well-managed environment for children and staff.

8. Set up operations

Since running a daycare is also a business, you'll need to set up operations, purchase insurance, and register for all the necessary tax IDs and permits.

First, you'll have to choose your business structure: sole proprietorship, LLC, or corporation. Then, register your business with the Florida Division of Corporations and obtain a federal Employer Identification Number (EIN).

Creating a business plan

A solid business plan outlines your mission, target market, services, and financial projections. It should include:

• Business description and mission

• Market analysis and needs assessment

• Services offered

• Operational plan (staffing, facility, daily routines)

• Marketing strategy

• Financial projections and budget

• Policies and procedures

• Management and organization details

• Supporting documents (licenses, permits, resumes)

For more specific instructions, check out our in-depth guide on How to Create a Daycare Business Plan.

Grants to open a daycare in Florida

If you don't have enough savings to start your daycare on your own, you'll need a small business loan or alternative funding. The following daycare grant options are a great resource:

• Federal programs:

  • The Child Care Development Fund (CCDF)

  • Head Start and Early Head Start

  • Preschool Development Grants Birth through Five (PDG B-5)

• State grants:

  • School Readiness (SR) Program

  • Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK)

  • The Children's Trust

• Local and private grants:

  • County and municipality grants through their Early Learning Coalitions

  • The Selby Foundation (Charlotte, DeSoto, Manatee or Sarasota counties)

  • Peacock Foundation, Inc. (South Florida)

  • The Jim Moran Foundation

  • The PNC Foundation's Grow Up Great initiative

  • The Duke Energy Foundation

Purchasing insurance

Proper insurance coverage is critical for protecting your daycare, staff, and the children in your care. While not all types of insurance are mandated by Florida law, many local authorities and landlords require or strongly recommend certain policies.

• General liability: Protects against claims of bodily injury or property damage, often required by landlords

• Professional liability: Covers allegations of negligence or failure to supervise

• Property insurance: Covers damage to your building, equipment, and supplies due to fire, theft, or natural disasters

• Workers' compensation: Required if you have employees, covers medical expenses and lost wages for staff injured on the job

• Abuse and molestation coverage: Specific coverage for claims of abuse

• Commercial auto insurance: Required if you transport children using a vehicle owned by the business

Marketing

Once you have your license and are ready to open, you need families to sign up. Use these marketing tips to stand out and build a strong reputation in your community:

• Build a website and use social media to reach local families.

• Register your business online and in local directories.

• Make a TrustedCare profile to increase your reach and visibility.

• Network with schools, pediatricians, and community centers.

• Offer open houses and tours to showcase your program.

9. Hiring staff

Hiring qualified, well-trained staff is essential for running a successful daycare in Florida. The state requires all owners, directors, teachers, assistants, substitutes, maintenance staff, and certain volunteers to meet specific standards and complete thorough documentation.

Hiring requirements

All staff must complete an employment application and provide a 5-year employment history check, along with the following requirements:

• Each employee must sign an annual acknowledgment form and submit an Affidavit of Good Moral Character.

• All personnel, including owners and directors, must pass a Level 2 background screening through the DCF Clearinghouse, which includes fingerprinting and abuse registry checks. This screening must be renewed every 5 years.

• Directors must hold a Director Credential certificate and complete a Central Abuse Hotline Records Search.

• Volunteers working more than 10 hours per month or those counted in staff-to-child ratios must meet the same requirements as paid staff.

Curriculum & activities

A high-quality curriculum promotes learning and development through play, exploration, and hands-on experiences. Plan daily daycare schedules that include group time, outdoor play, creative projects, music, reading, quiet time, and nutritious foods.

10. Ongoing compliance and renewal requirements

Maintaining your daycare license in Florida requires continuous compliance with state regulations and regular administrative tasks.

Annual license renewal

All daycare owners must renew their licenses each year. The renewal process includes submitting updated documentation and paying the required fees.

Background screenings and training

Providers must keep background checks and training certifications current for all staff and household members as required by law.

Unannounced inspections

The Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) may conduct unannounced inspections at any time to ensure ongoing compliance with health, safety, and program standards.

Recordkeeping

Providers must keep detailed records, including attendance logs, health and immunization records, staff qualifications, and financial documents. These records must be readily available for review during inspections or audits.

Challenges & solutions

Starting a daycare in Florida comes with several challenges, but proactive strategies can help providers succeed:

• Staffing: Recruiting and retaining qualified staff is a frequent challenge. To address this, offer competitive wages, provide regular training opportunities, and foster a positive work environment.

• Regulatory changes: Child care regulations can change frequently. Stay informed by subscribing to updates from the Florida DCF, attending training sessions, and participating in professional associations.

• Balancing business and care: Managing both the business and caregiving aspects of a daycare can be demanding. Use child care management software to streamline administrative tasks, delegate responsibilities when possible, and establish clear routines to ensure both compliance and high-quality care for children.