Florida Statewide Rule
Florida Family Day Care Home Statewide Licensing
Key Facts
- Family Home Cap
- 10 children
- Large Home Cap
- 12 children
- Statute
- Fla. Stat. 402.313
- Background Check
- Level 2 required
Summary
Florida regulates family and large family child care homes uniformly under Chapter 402, setting capacity limits, training, and inspection requirements applicable statewide.
Family child 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 child care homes be licensed.
Full Breakdown
Fla. Stat. 402.313 governs family day care homes (up to 10 children) and 402.3131 covers large family child care homes (up to 12 children with an assistant). Operators must register or license with the Department of Children and Families (DCF), complete the 40-hour Introductory Child Care Training, hold valid CPR/First Aid certification, and submit to Level 2 background screening under Chapter 435. While zoning approval may be locally required, the operational standards (ratios, training, inspections, screenings) apply uniformly across Florida.
Violations & Penalties
Operating an unlicensed or unregistered family day care home is a misdemeanor of the first degree. DCF may issue cease-and-desist orders, fines up to $100 per day, and revoke licenses for noncompliance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a state license to run a daycare from my Florida home?
How many children can I care for in a Florida home daycare?
Sources
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