How to Become a Home Provider

About Family Child Care Home Registration

In Florida, anyone providing child care in their home for more than one unrelated family must be either registered or licensed through the Department of Children and Families (DCF). The registration process must be completed, and a registration letter from DCF must be obtained before offering child care services.

Under Florida law [§ 402.313, F.S.], family day care home providers have the option to register annually instead of obtaining a license, unless a specific county ordinance requires licensure. While most counties do not mandate licensing for family day care homes, some providers choose to become licensed to show compliance with the state’s minimum health and safety standards.

Registration in the following counties is not permitted as they have a local ordinance requiring licensure.

Brevard
Broward
Clay
Duval
Hernando
Hillsborough
Manatee

Miami-Dade
Nassau
Palm Beach
Pasco
Pinellas
Polk
Sarasota
Saint Johns

Required Information

Although the Department does not inspect registered family day care homes, they must submit information annually as part of the application process, which includes:

The name of the operator
The number of children served (not to exceed capacity as defined by § 402.302(7), Florida Statutes
Proof of written plan to provide at least one competent adult to be available to substitute for the operator in an emergency
Proof of screening and background checks
Proof that immunization records for the children are kept current
Proof that each parent has been provided a copy of a completed Health and Safety Checklist
Proof of completion of the 30-hour family day care home training course as well as an approved 5-hour course in early literacy and language development of children ages birth through five years. The 35 hours of training must be completed prior to registration.

Please be advised that you must complete the registration process and receive a registration letter from DCF prior to providing child care.

Are You Registered?

If you are thinking about becoming a Registered Family Home provider for the FIRST TIME, please click the link below:

First Time Home Child Care Provider

Intent to Apply

If you are a new applicant for a Family Day Care Home Registration, please click on the Intent to Apply link below and complete the form. If you should have any questions regarding this process, please call 850-488-4900.

To apply, fill out the Intent to Apply: Registered Family Day Care Home application.

Registration Renewal

If you are currently a Registered Family Day Care Home provider and wish to RENEW your registration, please download and print all of the documents listed below. Complete all forms and mail them all together with your $25 application fee to:

Department of Children and Families
Office of Child Care
2415 North Monroe Street
Suite 400, Room N216
Tallahassee, FL 32303