Florida childcare licensing is administered by the Department of Children and Families (DCF). All facilities providing care for 5 or more children from more than one family must be licensed. Florida requires at least 3 unannounced inspections per year — one of the highest inspection rates in the country. Local county ordinances may impose additional requirements beyond state minimums.
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (0–12 months) | 1:4 | — |
| 1 year | 1:6 | — |
| 2 years | 1:11 | — |
| 3 years | 1:15 | — |
| 4 years | 1:20 | — |
| 5 years / School age | 1:25 | — |
Mixed age groups use the ratio for the majority age group present. No state-mandated group size maximums — local county ordinances may set limits.
CF-FSP 5012 Enrollment Application
State enrollment application form required for all enrolled children.
DH 3040 School Entry Health Exam
Florida health exam form from a licensed healthcare provider. Valid for 2 years.
DH 680 Florida Certificate of Immunization (Blue Card)
Official Florida immunization certificate required before admission.
Know Your Child Care Facility Brochure
State-provided brochure signed by parent acknowledging receipt.
Influenza Virus Brochure
Signed acknowledgment required each August/September.
Emergency Contact and Pickup Authorization
Complete list of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication with medication in original labeled container.
Exemption Policy
Medical exemptions (Form DH 680 Part B/C) and religious exemptions (Form DH 681 from County Health Department) are permitted.
Minimum Age
18 years unsupervised. 16 years with supervision of a qualified adult.
Background Check
Level 2 background screening: FBI and FDLE fingerprinting plus Florida Abuse Hotline search. Required for all staff and volunteers before contact with children.
Lead Teacher Education
Staff Credential required (Child Development Associate/CDA or Florida Child Care Professional Credential/FCCPC). One credentialed staff member per 20 children.
Assistant Education
Must complete DCF 40-hour introductory course before working with children.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
10 hours of continuing education annually (July through June).
Director Qualifications
Must hold a valid Florida Child Care Education Program Director Credential. Contact DCF for current credential requirements.
Inspection Frequency
At least 3 unannounced inspections per year — one of the highest inspection rates in the United States.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact the DCF regional office. Includes background checks, DCF orientation, facility inspection, and review of program policies.
Licensing Fee
$25–$100+ depending on capacity and county.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
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