Home Daycare Permit Requirements in Miami, FL

Complete permit and license guide for starting a home daycare in Miami, Miami-Dade County, Florida.

$300 -- $700 8–16 weeks to complete training, background checks, inspections, and receive DCF license 8 requirements

Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. Last verified: March 13, 2026.

Miami / Miami-Dade County Requirements

2 requirements

Miami-Dade County Zoning Compliance — Home-Based Child Care

Home-based daycare facilities in Miami-Dade County must comply with zoning regulations. Family day care homes (serving 5 or fewer children) are a permitted accessory use in residential zones and do not require a separate zoning permit in most residential districts. Large family child care homes (6–10 children) require a zoning certificate from Miami-Dade Regulatory and Economic Resources. Contact Miami-Dade RER at 305-375-2800 to confirm your zoning classification.

Free for small family day care (1–5 children); $150–$300 for zoning certificate if required for large family (6–10 children)1–4 weeks for zoning certificate

Official government source

Miami-Dade County Local Business Tax Receipt

All businesses operating in unincorporated Miami-Dade County must obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt (formerly Occupational License) from the Miami-Dade Tax Collector. If located in the City of Miami, obtain from the City of Miami Business License Division instead.

$50–$150 annually1–2 weeks

Official government source

Florida State Requirements

5 requirements

Florida DCF — Family Day Care Home License

Required to operate a family day care home serving 1–5 children (unrelated to the provider) in Florida. Licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF). Requirements include: pre-licensing training (30 hours for first-time providers), background screening through FDLE for all household members 12 and older, a home inspection by DCF for health and safety compliance, proof of liability insurance, and current pediatric CPR/first aid certification. Annual renewal required.

$35 application fee; annual renewal fee applies8–16 weeks from application submission to license issuance

Official government source

Florida DCF — Large Family Child Care Home License

Required if serving 6–10 children. In addition to all Family Day Care requirements, a Large Family Child Care Home must employ at least one additional full-time staff member (not a household member) and meet enhanced health/safety standards. The provider must have previously been licensed as a Family Day Care Home for at least 2 years.

$75 application fee; annual renewal fee applies8–16 weeks

Official government source

Background Screening (FDLE Level 2)

Florida law requires Level 2 background screening through the Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) for all childcare providers, household members age 12+, and any employee or volunteer. Screening includes fingerprinting, FBI national criminal history check, and searches of the Florida Sexual Offender/Predator database and Child Abuse/Neglect registry.

$80–$100 per person (fingerprinting + processing fees)2–4 weeks

Official government source

Pre-Licensing Training (30 Hours)

Florida requires 30 clock hours of pre-licensing training for new child care providers, covering child development, health and safety, nutrition, and Florida child care regulations. Courses are available online and in-person through approved providers listed on the DCF website.

$50–$150Completed before license issuance

Official government source

Pediatric CPR and First Aid Certification

All licensed child care providers in Florida must maintain current certification in infant and child CPR and first aid from an approved provider (American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or equivalent). Certification must remain current throughout the license period.

$50–$100Same day (courses available locally and online)

Official government source

Federal Requirements

1 requirement

EIN (Employer Identification Number)

Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Also needed for accepting Child Care Development Fund (CCDF) subsidy payments. Free to obtain from the IRS.

FreeImmediate (online application)

Official government source