Regulations & licensing

The Department of Children and Families oversees the childcare licensing program statewide for Florida’s childcare centers, specialized facilities for mildly ill children, large family childcare homes, and licensure or registration of family daycare homes.

The department strives to establish a healthy and safe environment for children in these centers, and also to improve the quality of care through regulation and consultation. Ongoing inspections help verify licensing requirements are met.

Apply for a license or view licensing contacts.

Regulations vary by state. To view childcare licensure regulations by state, visit the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care, or call 1-800-598-KIDS (5437).