Licensed vs registered, and who regulates you
Florida law (§402.302, F.S.) defines a family day care home as an occupied residence where child care is regularly provided for children from at least two unrelated families for payment. DCF licenses or registers family day care homes in most counties. Broward, Palm Beach, Pinellas and Sarasota run their own local licensing agencies, which must meet or exceed state standards.
Counties may require licensure by ordinance; elsewhere an annual registration under §402.313, F.S. may be available. Registration carries different inspection rules but still has training, screening and immunization obligations. Ask your local licensing office which applies to your address.
Basic FDCH requirements
- Operator is 18 or older and lives in the home
- Operator does not work outside the home during operating hours
- Written substitute plan naming at least one competent adult (18+) who can step in during an emergency
- Capacity within one of the Handbook §2.2.1 age groups — household children under 13 count. Example: up to 6 preschool children if all are older than 12 months, or up to 10 children if no more than 5 are preschool age and no more than 2 of those are under 12 months.
Steps to get licensed
- Check your location first. Confirm local zoning, any occupational/business license, your HOA covenants and (if renting) landlord approval. DCF guidance says written approval from these, or a signed attestation, is needed — and the application instructions say to have zoning/building and HOA approval before you submit.
- Read the rules. Download the current FCCH/LFCCH Handbook and review Chapter 65C-20, F.A.C. DCF also offers an optional online course, Opening a Family Child Care Home Program.
- Complete pre-licensure training. Per Handbook §5.1.1, the operator (and substitutes working more than 40 hours a month on average) must pass DCF’s 30-clock-hour Family Child Care Home training (five courses with competency exams) and complete a 5-clock-hour early literacy course before licensure. Pediatric CPR and first aid, fire extinguisher training, and safe sleep / shaken baby training (if you serve infants) are also required — confirm current details with DCF.
- Background screening. The operator, substitute, adult household members and household members aged 12–17 must be screened through the DCF Background Screening Clearinghouse. Initiate screening in the Clearinghouse before getting fingerprinted.
- Inspections. Arrange the fire and environmental health inspections your licensing office requires. In many counties a radon test is required within one year of opening.
- Apply. Apply online through DCF’s CARES system (or Form CF-FSP 5133 where your office uses it). An application is not complete until screening documents, the licensure fee and inspection approvals are received. Confirm the current fee with your licensing office.
- Licensing inspection and license. Once approved, post the license where it can be easily seen. Submit renewals at least 45 days before your license expires.
Paperwork checklist: child & family files
- Enrollment record on official Form CF-FSP 5219 or an equivalent containing all Department-required information
- Emergency contacts, authorized pick-up persons and emergency medical consent
- Immunization record (DH 680, or DH 681 exemption) and student health exam (DH 3040) — on file within 30 days of enrollment (school-age exceptions apply)
- Emergency care plan for children with chronic conditions or allergies, when applicable
- Parent policies / handbook and written discipline and expulsion policy with parent acknowledgment
- Infant safe sleep acknowledgment when infants are in care
- Transportation and field trip permissions, if you transport
Paperwork checklist: daily logs
- Daily attendance with arrival and departure times (keep at least 12 months)
- Medication authorization and dose log, if you give medications
- Incident / accident reports, documented the same day
Paperwork checklist: safety & emergency
- Posted emergency numbers and a written emergency preparedness plan
- Fire and emergency drill log (keep at least 12 months; confirm drill frequency in the Handbook)
- First aid kit stocked per the Handbook
- Radon test results reported to the Department of Health, if your county requires testing
Paperwork checklist: provider credentials
- Training transcript / certificates (30-hour FCCH training, literacy course, CPR / first aid, safe sleep)
- Annual in-service training records once licensed (confirm current hour requirement in Handbook §5.6)
- Background screening clearances for every required person
- Written substitute plan and substitute credentials
- Zoning, HOA / landlord approvals and inspection reports
Frequently asked questions
How many children can a Florida family day care home care for?
It depends on ages. Handbook §2.2.1 lists four groups, and household children under 13 count. For example, up to 6 preschool children if all are older than 12 months, or up to 10 children if no more than 5 are preschool age and no more than 2 of those are under 12 months.
How many training hours do I need before opening?
The Dec 2025 DCF Handbook requires the 30-clock-hour Family Child Care Home training (with competency exams) and a 5-clock-hour early literacy course before licensure, plus CPR / first aid and other required training. Confirm current requirements with DCF.
What is the difference between a licensed and a registered family day care home?
Some counties require licensure by ordinance; in others, homes may register annually under §402.313, F.S. Both have training, screening and record obligations. Your local licensing office can tell you which applies.
How much does a Florida family day care home license cost?
The application requires a licensure fee, but we have not verified the current amount. Confirm it with DCF or your local licensing agency.
Can I use my own enrollment form instead of CF-FSP 5219?
Yes, DCF allows an equivalent form as long as it contains all the information the Department requires.
Florida FDCH Pack
Editable DOCX templates (5219-equivalent enrollment, attendance, safe sleep, emergency plans, medication, drills, discipline policy, and more) plus a companion Excel tracker for DH 680 / DH 3040 dates and drills — built around the DCF FCCH Handbook (Dec 2025).