Broward County, FL Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- Authority
- Broward County Child Care Licensing
- Family Home Capacity
- Up to 10 children
- Large Family Home
- Up to 12 with employee
- Training
- 40-hour intro course + CPR/first aid
- Background Screening
- Level 2 for all household age 12+
Summary
Family day care homes in Broward County must register or be licensed under Florida Statute 402.313. The Broward County Child Care Licensing and Enforcement agency handles local oversight, inspections, and background screening.
F.S. 402.313 Family day care homes. — (1) Family day care homes shall be licensed under this act if they are presently being licensed under an existing county licensing ordinance or if the board of county commissioners passes a resolution that family day care homes be licensed. (a) If not subject to license, family day care homes shall register annually with the department, providing the following information: 1. The name and address of the home.
2. The name of the operator.
3. The number of children served.
4. Proof of a written plan to provide at least one other competent adult to be available to substitute for the operator in an emergency. This plan shall include the name, address, and telephone number of the designated substitute.
5. Proof of screening and background checks.
6. Proof of successful completion of the 30-hour training course, as evidenced by passage of a competency examination, which shall include: a. State and local rules and regulations that govern child care.
b. Health, safety, and nutrition.
c. Identifying and reporting child abuse and neglect.
d. Child development, including typical and atypical language development; and cognitive, motor, social, and self-help skills development.
(4) Operators of family day care homes must successfully complete an approved 30-clock-hour introductory course in child care, as evidenced by passage of a competency examination, before caring for children.
(5) In order to further develop their child care skills and, if appropriate, their administrative skills, operators of family day care homes shall be required to complete an additional 1 continuing education unit of approved training or 10 clock hours of equivalent training, as determined by the department, annually.
(12) Notwithstanding any other state or local law or ordinance, any family day care home licensed pursuant to this chapter or pursuant to a county ordinance shall be charged the utility rates accorded to a residential home. A licensed family day care home may not be charged commercial utility rates.
Full Breakdown
3131, meaning the county itself (not DCF) licenses family day care homes and large family child care homes operating in unincorporated areas and most municipalities. A family day care home may care for up to 10 children total including the operator's own, with specific age-distribution limits: no more than 4 children under age 1, or a combination capped per state rule. A large family child care home allows up to 12 children but requires a full-time employee. Operators must complete a 40-hour introductory child care training course, 10 additional hours of early literacy/language development for infants and toddlers when applicable, current CPR and first aid certification, and annual in-service training.
All household members age 12 and up must complete Level 2 background screening (fingerprints through FDLE and FBI). The Broward County Child Care Licensing and Enforcement Section conducts at least annual inspections, reviews immunization records, and enforces health, safety, and ratio rules. Penalties for operating unlicensed include fines, closure, and misdemeanor prosecution.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who licenses home daycares in Broward?
Can I care for just a couple of kids without a license?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Broward County
Florida rules heatmap·Compare Broward County to another location·View the Florida home business overview
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