How Much Does Daycare Cost in Florida in 2025? City-by-City Breakdown
Florida daycare costs average $1,050/month for infants. See real costs for Miami, Orlando, Tampa, Jacksonville, and other cities, plus VPK and subsidy info.
Florida offers relatively affordable childcare compared to coastal states like California and New York—but costs still represent a major expense for Sunshine State families, especially in South Florida's expensive metros.
The average Florida family pays $1,050 per month ($12,600 per year) for infant care at a licensed daycare center. That's about 10% below the national average, making Florida one of the more affordable populous states for childcare.
But Miami-Dade prices can rival Los Angeles, while the Panhandle offers some of the lowest costs in the country. Here's exactly what you'll pay across Florida's major cities.
Florida Daycare Costs at a Glance
Statewide averages for 2025:
| Age Group | Weekly Cost | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost | |-----------|-------------|--------------|-------------| | Infant (0-12 months) | $242 | $1,050 | $12,600 | | Toddler (1-2 years) | $210 | $910 | $10,920 | | Preschool (3-4 years) | $185 | $802 | $9,620 | | School-age | $145 | $628 | $7,540 |
Florida's costs vary by about 40% between the most and least expensive metros. South Florida is priciest, while the Panhandle and rural areas are most affordable.
South Florida: The Priciest Region
Miami-Dade County
Miami has Florida's highest childcare costs—driven by real estate prices and a strong service economy.
Miami (Brickell / Coral Gables / Coconut Grove):
- Infant daycare center: $1,500 - $2,100/month
- Toddler daycare center: $1,300 - $1,800/month
- Preschool: $1,100 - $1,500/month
Miami Beach:
- Infant daycare center: $1,600 - $2,200/month
- Toddler daycare center: $1,400 - $1,900/month
- Preschool: $1,200 - $1,650/month
Kendall / Homestead:
- Infant daycare center: $1,100 - $1,500/month
- Toddler daycare center: $950 - $1,300/month
- Preschool: $850 - $1,150/month
Hialeah:
- Infant daycare center: $900 - $1,250/month
- Toddler daycare center: $800 - $1,100/month
- Preschool: $700 - $950/month
Broward County
Fort Lauderdale and surrounding areas fall between Miami and more affordable regions.
Fort Lauderdale:
- Infant daycare center: $1,300 - $1,750/month
- Toddler daycare center: $1,100 - $1,500/month
- Preschool: $950 - $1,300/month
Pembroke Pines / Miramar:
- Infant daycare center: $1,100 - $1,500/month
- Toddler daycare center: $950 - $1,300/month
- Preschool: $850 - $1,150/month
Palm Beach County
West Palm Beach / Boca Raton:
- Infant daycare center: $1,400 - $1,900/month
- Toddler daycare center: $1,200 - $1,650/month
- Preschool: $1,050 - $1,450/month
Boynton Beach / Delray Beach:
- Infant daycare center: $1,200 - $1,600/month
- Toddler daycare center: $1,050 - $1,400/month
- Preschool: $900 - $1,250/month
Central Florida
Orlando Area
Orlando's tourism-driven economy and population growth have pushed childcare costs up in recent years.
Orlando (Downtown / Winter Park):
- Infant daycare center: $1,200 - $1,650/month
- Toddler daycare center: $1,050 - $1,400/month
- Preschool: $900 - $1,250/month
Lake Mary / Sanford:
- Infant daycare center: $1,100 - $1,450/month
- Toddler daycare center: $950 - $1,250/month
- Preschool: $850 - $1,100/month
Kissimmee / St. Cloud:
- Infant daycare center: $950 - $1,300/month
- Toddler daycare center: $850 - $1,150/month
- Preschool: $750 - $1,000/month
Tampa Bay Area
Tampa
Tampa (South Tampa / Hyde Park):
- Infant daycare center: $1,250 - $1,700/month
- Toddler daycare center: $1,100 - $1,500/month
- Preschool: $950 - $1,300/month
Tampa (Temple Terrace / Brandon):
- Infant daycare center: $1,000 - $1,350/month
- Toddler daycare center: $900 - $1,200/month
- Preschool: $800 - $1,050/month
St. Petersburg / Clearwater
St. Petersburg:
- Infant daycare center: $1,150 - $1,550/month
- Toddler daycare center: $1,000 - $1,350/month
- Preschool: $875 - $1,175/month
Clearwater:
- Infant daycare center: $1,050 - $1,400/month
- Toddler daycare center: $925 - $1,225/month
- Preschool: $800 - $1,100/month
Jacksonville
Jacksonville offers more affordable childcare than South Florida despite being Florida's largest city by area.
Jacksonville (Downtown / San Marco / Riverside):
- Infant daycare center: $1,100 - $1,450/month
- Toddler daycare center: $950 - $1,250/month
- Preschool: $825 - $1,100/month
Jacksonville (Mandarin / Orange Park):
- Infant daycare center: $950 - $1,300/month
- Toddler daycare center: $850 - $1,150/month
- Preschool: $750 - $1,000/month
Jacksonville Beaches:
- Infant daycare center: $1,150 - $1,500/month
- Toddler daycare center: $1,000 - $1,300/month
- Preschool: $875 - $1,150/month
Southwest Florida
Naples / Fort Myers
Naples:
- Infant daycare center: $1,350 - $1,800/month
- Toddler daycare center: $1,150 - $1,550/month
- Preschool: $1,000 - $1,350/month
Fort Myers / Cape Coral:
- Infant daycare center: $1,050 - $1,400/month
- Toddler daycare center: $925 - $1,225/month
- Preschool: $800 - $1,075/month
Sarasota / Bradenton
Sarasota:
- Infant daycare center: $1,200 - $1,600/month
- Toddler daycare center: $1,050 - $1,400/month
- Preschool: $900 - $1,225/month
North Florida & Panhandle
Florida's most affordable childcare is in the Panhandle and rural North Florida.
Tallahassee:
- Infant daycare center: $850 - $1,150/month
- Toddler daycare center: $750 - $1,000/month
- Preschool: $650 - $875/month
Gainesville:
- Infant daycare center: $900 - $1,200/month
- Toddler daycare center: $800 - $1,050/month
- Preschool: $700 - $925/month
Pensacola:
- Infant daycare center: $800 - $1,100/month
- Toddler daycare center: $700 - $950/month
- Preschool: $600 - $825/month
Panama City:
- Infant daycare center: $750 - $1,050/month
- Toddler daycare center: $650 - $900/month
- Preschool: $575 - $800/month
Panhandle families pay 35-50% less than South Florida families for similar quality care.
Florida Staff Ratio Requirements
Florida requires the following staff-to-child ratios:
| Age | Required Ratio | |-----|---------------| | Infants (0-12 months) | 1 teacher : 4 children | | 1-year-olds | 1 teacher : 6 children | | 2-year-olds | 1 teacher : 11 children | | 3-year-olds | 1 teacher : 15 children | | 4-5-year-olds | 1 teacher : 20 children | | School-age | 1 teacher : 25 children |
Florida's preschool ratios (1:20) are more lenient than many states, which helps keep costs lower.
Daycare Center vs. Home Daycare in Florida
Licensed family daycare homes are typically 15-25% cheaper than centers in Florida.
| Care Type | Infant (Monthly) | Toddler (Monthly) | Preschool (Monthly) | |-----------|------------------|-------------------|---------------------| | Daycare Center | $1,050 | $910 | $802 | | Family Daycare Home | $850 | $740 | $650 | | Nanny (Full-time) | $2,400+ | $2,400+ | $2,400+ |
Florida has a large network of licensed family childcare providers. With no state income tax, nanny costs are effectively lower here than in high-tax states.
How Florida Compares Nationally
Florida is one of the more affordable large states for childcare, ranking in the bottom half nationally.
| State | Infant Annual Cost | Rank | |-------|-------------------|------| | Washington D.C. | $24,700 | 1 | | Massachusetts | $22,100 | 2 | | California | $19,500 | 3 | | New York | $20,800 | 4 | | Florida | $12,600 | 32 | | Mississippi | $5,400 | 50 | | National Average | $11,500 | - |
Florida families pay 10% more than the national average for infant care—but significantly less than coastal states.
Financial Help for Florida Families
Florida offers several programs to help with childcare costs.
School Readiness Program
Florida's main childcare subsidy program helps low and moderate-income working families.
Administered by: Early Learning Coalitions in each county
Who qualifies:
- Families earning up to 150% of Federal Poverty Level (approximately $46,800 for a family of 4)
- Parents must be working or in approved education/training
- Priority for at-risk children and special needs
How much help: Subsidies cover most childcare costs; families pay a sliding-scale copay based on income.
How to apply: Contact your local Early Learning Coalition or call the Family Portal at 1-866-357-3239.
Wait lists: Many counties have wait lists ranging from 3-18 months. Apply as early as possible—even during pregnancy.
Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) - FREE Pre-K
Florida offers free VPK for all 4-year-olds, regardless of family income. This is one of the best early education benefits in the country.
VPK Options:
- School-year program: 540 hours (3 hours/day during school year)
- Summer program: 300 hours (intensive summer option)
VPK is available at public schools, private preschools, and many daycare centers.
Important: VPK is only 3 hours/day. Most working parents use VPK plus "wraparound care" at their daycare for a full day. Daycares often discount the VPK hours since they're state-funded.
How to apply: Register at VPK Portal or contact your local Early Learning Coalition.
Savings: VPK saves families approximately $4,500-6,000 per year in preschool costs.
Gold Seal Quality Care
Florida's Gold Seal Quality Care designation indicates accredited, high-quality providers. Gold Seal providers often charge 10-15% more but offer enhanced curriculum and staff qualifications.
Look for Gold Seal providers in the state provider search.
Dependent Care FSA
Set aside up to $5,000 pre-tax for childcare. Because Florida has no state income tax, your savings come only from federal taxes—approximately $1,100-1,500 for most families.
Use our Tax Savings Calculator to see your potential savings.
Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit
The federal credit covers 20-35% of up to $3,000 in childcare expenses ($6,000 for two or more children). Florida has no state income tax, so there's no additional state credit.
Tips to Save on Florida Daycare
1. Sign up for VPK
VPK is FREE for all 4-year-olds. Even if you need wraparound care, you'll save $4,500+ per year.
2. Apply for School Readiness early
Wait lists can be 6-18 months. Apply during pregnancy if you think you'll qualify.
3. Consider family daycare homes
Licensed home-based providers are typically 20% cheaper with smaller group sizes—great for infants and toddlers.
4. Look outside expensive zip codes
Miami Beach and downtown areas cost 40% more than surrounding neighborhoods. A 15-minute drive can save $500/month.
5. Ask about summer rates
Some Florida daycares offer lower rates during summer when they have more availability.
6. Negotiate sibling discounts
Most daycares offer 5-15% off for a second child. Always ask.
Florida Childcare Licensing
All licensed childcare in Florida is regulated by the Department of Children and Families (DCF).
Before enrolling:
- Verify the license at DCF Provider Search
- Check inspection reports for violations
- Look for Gold Seal accreditation for quality assurance
- Call DCF at 1-866-762-2237 with questions
Florida requires licensed facilities to meet standards for:
- Staff background checks (Level 2 screening)
- Staff-to-child ratios
- Health and safety requirements
- Training requirements (45-hour childcare course)
- Outdoor play space
Calculate Your Florida Daycare Budget
Use our Florida Daycare Cost Calculator to get personalized estimates based on:
- Your specific city
- Your child's age
- Full-time vs. part-time
- Center vs. home-based care
See what you'll really pay after VPK and tax savings.
Bottom Line
Florida daycare costs vary by 40-50% depending on where you live. Here's what to budget:
- Miami families: Budget $1,300-2,000/month for infant care
- Fort Lauderdale families: Budget $1,100-1,700/month for infant care
- Orlando families: Budget $1,000-1,500/month for infant care
- Tampa Bay families: Budget $1,000-1,600/month for infant care
- Jacksonville families: Budget $950-1,400/month for infant care
- Panhandle families: Budget $700-1,100/month for infant care
The biggest money-saver in Florida is VPK—free pre-K for all 4-year-olds that can save $6,000+ per year. Apply for School Readiness subsidies early if you qualify, and don't overlook quality family daycare providers for more affordable infant/toddler care.
Florida Daycare Wait Lists
Unlike some states, Florida generally has better childcare availability, but competitive areas still have wait times:
| Area | Typical Infant Wait | |------|-------------------| | Miami Beach / Brickell | 6-12 months | | Downtown Orlando | 4-8 months | | South Tampa | 4-8 months | | West Palm Beach | 3-6 months | | Most suburbs | 1-3 months | | Panhandle/Rural | Immediate - 2 weeks |
Tips for Florida wait lists:
- Apply 4-6 months before needed in metro areas
- Family daycare homes often have shorter waits
- Check newly opened centers (common in fast-growing areas)
- Some VPK programs fill early—register in January/February for fall
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Florida a good state for childcare affordability?
Yes, relatively. Florida ranks 32nd nationally for childcare costs, meaning it's less expensive than two-thirds of states. The combination of lower costs than coastal states plus free VPK at age 4 makes Florida more affordable than many alternatives.
How does VPK work with full-day daycare?
VPK provides 3 hours of state-funded Pre-K. Most daycares offer VPK on-site and reduce your tuition by the VPK amount (typically $400-600/month). You pay only for "wraparound care" (the additional hours beyond VPK).
When should I apply for VPK?
VPK registration typically opens in January for the following school year (starting in August). Register early—popular programs fill up. You need to verify eligibility through your local Early Learning Coalition first.
Does Florida have subsidized childcare?
Yes. The School Readiness Program provides subsidies for families earning up to 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (about $46,800 for a family of 4). Many counties have wait lists, so apply early. Contact your local Early Learning Coalition.
Why is Miami so much more expensive?
Miami has high real estate costs, higher wages for childcare workers compared to other Florida cities, and strong demand from affluent families. The international community also supports premium bilingual programs. Moving 20-30 minutes from downtown can save 30-40%.
Are nannies cheaper in Florida because of no state income tax?
Slightly. Florida has no state income tax, so your effective cost for a nanny is about 5-7% lower than in states with income taxes. You still pay federal payroll taxes. A full-time nanny in Florida typically costs $2,400-3,500+/month including taxes.
How do I verify a Florida daycare license?
Use the DCF Provider Search to verify licenses and view inspection reports. This database shows current licensing status, inspection history, and any violations.
What's the difference between Gold Seal and regular licensed centers?
Gold Seal centers are accredited by a DCF-approved accrediting agency (like NAEYC or NAC). They meet higher standards for curriculum, staff qualifications, and facilities. Gold Seal centers typically cost 10-15% more but indicate quality commitment.
Do I still pay for weeks I use VPK?
You pay for wraparound care (before and after VPK hours) and during school breaks when VPK isn't in session. Some daycares charge a flat rate year-round; others reduce summer rates when VPK isn't running.
Is childcare cheaper in Florida's smaller cities?
Yes, significantly. Panhandle cities like Pensacola and Panama City can cost 40-50% less than Miami. Tallahassee and Gainesville (college towns) are also more affordable due to lower cost of living and available student workers.
Florida-Specific Resources
By County
Each Florida county has an Early Learning Coalition that manages subsidies and provides parent resources:
State Resources
- DCF Childcare Licensing: 1-866-762-2237
- VPK Portal: floridaearlylearning.com/vpk
- School Readiness: floridaearlylearning.com/school-readiness
- Provider Search: DCF Provider Search
Related Resources:
- Florida State Directory - Find daycares by city
- Florida VPK Portal - Register for free Pre-K
- Daycare Cost Calculator - Estimate your costs
- Questions to Ask When Touring - Be prepared for visits