Home Daycare Permit Requirements in Orlando, FL

1. 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.

   Official government source

   Free·Immediate (online application)

   Free

   Immediate (online application)

1. Florida DCF — Family Day Care Home License

   Required to operate a family day care home in Florida (an occupied residence regularly caring for children from at least two unrelated families for payment). Capacity depends on age mix, up to a maximum of 10 children (s. 402.302(8), F.S.). Homes must be licensed by the Florida Department of Children and Families (DCF) in counties that require licensing, and must register annually with DCF elsewhere (s. 402.313, F.S.). Requirements include a 30-clock-hour introductory child care course with competency exam before caring for children, Level 2 background screening for child care personnel and household members age 12 and older, and annual in-service training. Annual renewal required.

   Official government source

   License/registration fee not stated in statute — verify the current fee with the DCF child care licensing office·8–16 weeks from application to license

   License/registration fee not stated in statute — verify the current fee with the DCF child care licensing office

   8–16 weeks from application to license

2. Florida DCF — Large Family Child Care Home License

   Required to operate a large family child care home in Florida, which may serve a maximum of 8 children from birth to 24 months, or a maximum of 12 children when no more than 4 are under 24 months (s. 402.302(11), F.S.). Licensed by DCF. The home must first have operated as a licensed family day care home for 2 consecutive years, with an operator who has held a child development associate (CDA) credential or its equivalent for at least 1 year (s. 402.3131, F.S.). At least two full-time child care personnel must be on the premises during hours of operation, the operator must complete an approved 40-clock-hour introductory course in group child care, and all personnel and household members age 12+ require background screening.

   Official government source

   License fee not stated in statute — verify the current fee with the DCF child care licensing office·8–16 weeks

   License fee not stated in statute — verify the current fee with the DCF child care licensing office

   8–16 weeks

3. Background Screening (FDLE Level 2)

   Required for all caregivers, household members age 12+, and anyone with unsupervised access to children. Includes fingerprinting, FBI national criminal check, FL Sexual Offender/Predator database, and FL Child Abuse/Neglect registry.

   Official government source

   $80–$100 per person·2–4 weeks

   $80–$100 per person

   2–4 weeks

4. Pre-Licensing Introductory Child Care Training (40 Hours for Facilities)

   All child care facility personnel must complete a DCF-approved 40-clock-hour introductory course in child care (s. 402.305(2)(d), F.S.). Family day care home operators instead complete a 30-clock-hour introductory course with a competency exam (s. 402.313, F.S.). Courses are available through DCF-approved online and in-person providers.

   Official government source

   $50–$150·Completed before license issuance

   $50–$150

   Completed before license issuance

5. Pediatric CPR and First Aid Certification

   At least one staff person with current in-person CPR training must be present at all times that children are present; minimum standards cover first aid, emergency procedures, and pediatric CPR (s. 402.305(7), F.S.).

   Official government source

   $50–$100·Same day

   $50–$100

   Same day

1. Orange County Local Business Tax Receipt

   Home daycare providers operating in unincorporated Orange County must obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt from the Orange County Tax Collector. If located within the City of Orlando, obtain the City of Orlando Business Tax Receipt instead from the City Planning Division.

   Official government source

   $30–$75 annually·1–2 weeks

   $30–$75 annually

   1–2 weeks

2. City of Orlando Zoning Clearance (if in city limits)

   Family day care homes serving up to 5 children are a permitted accessory use in single-family residential zones in Orlando and generally do not require a separate zoning permit. Large family child care homes (6–10 children) may require a special exception or zoning review. Contact the City of Orlando Planning Division at 407-246-2269 to verify your property's zoning and confirm compliance before operating.

   Official government source

   Free for small family day care; $200–$500 for special exception if required·2–8 weeks if zoning review required

   Free for small family day care; $200–$500 for special exception if required

   2–8 weeks if zoning review required

Official Sources

• Florida DCF — Child Care Providers
• Orange County Tax Collector — Business Tax
• City of Orlando — Planning Division

Related Guides