Home Daycare Permit Requirements in Orlando, FL

1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

   Required if you have employees or operate as a corporation, partnership, or multi-member LLC; sole proprietors and single-member LLCs with no employees may use the owner's Social Security Number. Child care providers accepting School Readiness/CCDF subsidy payments must supply a taxpayer identification number — confirm with your local Early Learning Coalition whether an EIN is required. 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 older, and anyone with unsupervised access to children. Adults are fingerprinted for FDLE/FBI criminal checks and screened against the FL Sexual Offender/Predator registry and central abuse hotline records; household members aged 12–18 are screened for delinquency records without fingerprinting.

   Official government source

   Approximately $50–$100 per person; fees vary by Livescan fingerprint vendor·2–4 weeks

   Approximately $50–$100 per person; fees vary by Livescan fingerprint vendor

   2–4 weeks

4. Introductory Child Care Training (40 Hours for Facility Personnel)

   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.) with passing competency exams (65C-22.001(6), F.A.C.); training must begin within 90 days of employment and be completed within one year. Family child care home operators instead complete a 30-clock-hour introductory course with a competency exam before caring for children (s. 402.313(4), F.S.). Courses are available through DCF-approved online and in-person providers.

   Official government source

   $50–$150·Begin within 90 days of employment; complete within one year

   $50–$150

   Begin within 90 days of employment; complete within one year

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 in unincorporated Orange County obtain a Local Business Tax Receipt from the Orange County Tax Collector. Providers inside Orlando city limits need BOTH the City of Orlando Business Tax Receipt (via Permitting Services, obtained first) and the Orange County receipt. (Family child care homes are DCF-registered/licensed at the state level.)

   Official government source

   Varies by business classification; confirm with the Orange County Tax Collector, (407) 434-0312 (option 2)·1–2 weeks

   Varies by business classification; confirm with the Orange County Tax Collector, (407) 434-0312 (option 2)

   1–2 weeks

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

   Under Florida law (§166.0445 and §125.0109), operating a DCF-registered or DCF-licensed family child care home is a valid residential use in any residential zone in Orlando. The city may not require a special exception, special use permit, or waiver, and may not charge any special fee over $50 for such a home. Confirm your DCF registration/licensure category; city zoning questions: Orlando City Planning, 407-246-2269.

   Official government source

   No special zoning permit may be required; any special fee is capped at $50 by Fla. Stat. §166.0445/§125.0109·2–8 weeks if zoning review required

   No special zoning permit may be required; any special fee is capped at $50 by Fla. Stat. §166.0445/§125.0109

   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

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