Florida Family child-care field guide

Open your door.
Not a maze.

A calmer way for Florida child-care operators to understand their next step, organize required records, and return to the official source when the rules matter.

Build my starting path Go directly to Florida DCF

Independent guide. Not a government agency, law firm, or substitute for Florida DCF or your local licensing authority.

YOUR ROUTE

What kind of care will you provide?

Choose the setting first. The paperwork follows the setting—not the other way around.

Find out in 60 seconds

official links,
plain language

keep your
own records

Know your setting Confirm your county Follow official forms Keep proof together

Chapter 01 / Your route

Start with two facts.
Leave with a useful next step.

This is orientation, not a license determination. The result always sends you back to the official Florida or local authority.

1 Which setting are you planning? A Family child-care homeCare operated from a residence B Large family child-care homeA distinct licensed home category C Child-care facilityA center or non-residential setting

2 Where will you operate?

Family child-care home Orientation only

Your first four moves

Open official forms

Chapter 02 / The desk

Not more paperwork.
A place for the paperwork.

The future product is a quiet operating desk: dated checklists, official links, renewal reminders, and an evidence folder you control.

START HERE

My route

A setting-and-county pathway that explains what to verify next.

5-minute orientation

KEEP CURRENT

My records

A private index for training, screenings, inspections, and renewals.

Your files stay yours

CHECK SOURCE

Rule changes

A dated summary that links to the controlling Florida source.

No copied mystery forms

Chapter 03 / Your working file

A checklist that remembers
where you stopped.

Try it. Progress is saved only in this browser prototype.

0 of 5 marked

OPENING FILE / SAMPLE

Complete the official licensing questionnaire01 Confirm the correct state or local licensing authority02 Review training and credential requirements03 Review background-screening requirements04 Read the current handbook for your care setting05

The official shelf

We organize the path.
Florida owns the rules.

01About child-care licensureFlorida DCF 02Forms and applicationsFlorida DCF 03Laws, rules, and handbooksFlorida DCF 04Florida Statutes §402.313Florida Senate

Source shelf reviewed September 5, 2026. Always confirm the page date and your local requirements.

Built for the person doing care and paperwork.

Our direction

Make the next right step feel possible.

Try the route finder again

Open your door.Not a maze.