Licensed Daycare in Jacksonville, Florida
216 licensed daycares in Jacksonville, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Florida licensing records.
Jacksonville listings updated May 2026 from official Florida records.
Daycare in Jacksonville: what parents should know
Our directory lists 216 licensed childcare providers in Jacksonville, Florida, with Preschool the most common type (about 15% of local listings). Every provider here holds a current Florida license at indexing time, sourced from Florida Department of Children and Families — Child Care Licensing.
For age coverage, 24 centers in Jacksonville report infant care (roughly 11% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 32 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 28 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in Jacksonville spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 11% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
Combined, Jacksonville's licensed centers hold about 14,439 licensed seats — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Jacksonville childcare by the numbers
The Jacksonville childcare landscape
Jacksonville is geographically huge, so location and commute weigh heavily on childcare choices — but the statewide free pre-K benefit is the same, applied for locally. A strong regional nonprofit, Episcopal Children's Services, runs much of the area's Head Start and VPK.
Free VPK for every 4-year-old
Florida's Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) is universal — every 4-year-old qualifies for free pre-K regardless of income. Across Duval County, Episcopal Children's Services administers VPK and runs Head Start and Early Head Start, alongside Duval County Public Schools pre-K.
Subsidies and quality
The income-based School Readiness Program covers much of the cost for eligible working families and is administered locally through Episcopal Children's Services — apply through them, not the state. Look for the Gold Seal Quality Care designation, Florida's mark for accredited providers.
How licensing works
Child care in Duval County is licensed under Florida Department of Children and Families standards, administered locally. Inspection results are public — confirm a provider's license and recent inspections before enrolling.
Neighborhoods and cost
Jacksonville is affordable — full-time infant care commonly runs $900–$1,300/month. The Southside, San Marco, and the Beaches communities are competitive; the Westside and North Jacksonville have more community-based options; and because the city is so spread out, drive time is a real factor in choosing.
When to start looking
Register for VPK through Episcopal Children's Services ahead of the school year. For infant care, tour early and join waitlists, and weigh commute direction given the city's size.
Childcare costs in Jacksonville
ChildCare Aware reports the Florida average full-time cost at $1,110/month for infant care and $790/month for preschool. City-level prices in Jacksonville vary by ZIP code and program model — Head Start sites are free for eligible families, family daycare homes typically run 10-30% below center rates, and accredited centers run above the average.
The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 max) reduce effective cost regardless of program. Florida families may also qualify for School Readiness Program (Early Learning Coalitions) (intake: (866) 357-3239).
Full Florida licensing & cost overviewQuick facts
- State regulator
- Florida Department of Children and Families — Child Care Licensing
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:6
- Preschool ratio
- 1:11
- Avg capacity
- 66 kids
Largest licensed centers in Jacksonville
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All Jacksonville licensed centers
Page 1 of 3Tap any card to view the full listing including the state license number, capacity, and inspection history when available.
Frequently asked questions from families searching for child care here.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Jacksonville, Florida?
What's the average daycare cost in Jacksonville?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Jacksonville daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Jacksonville?
How do I verify a Jacksonville daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Jacksonville
Free, official channels for finding licensed care, checking quality ratings, and applying for assistance — no account or fee required.
Child Care Resource & Referral counselors help you find vetted local options.
1-800-424-2246 · Find yoursUnited Way's free, confidential line connects you to local childcare, food, and family aid.
Call 211 · 211.orgFree early education for income-eligible families and pregnant women.
Find a programSchool Readiness Program (Early Learning Coalitions) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(866) 357-3239 · How to applyCheck NAEYC accreditation and your state's quality-rating (QRIS) for any provider.
Find quality careConfirm any provider's current license & inspection record with Florida Department of Children and Families — Child Care Licensing.
Official license searchChildcare resources for Jacksonville
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Jacksonville, Florida are compiled from official Florida Department of Children and Families — Child Care Licensing licensing records and cross-checked for current license status — not paid placements or user star-ratings. Rankings never depend on advertising. Provider details change often, so always confirm directly before enrolling. Reviewed by the DaycareHub editorial team · May 2026 · methodology
Search 216 Licensed Centers in Jacksonville
Free, no signup, verified directly with Florida Department of Children and Families — Child Care Licensing.