Licensed Daycare in Miami, Florida
272 licensed daycares in Miami, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Florida licensing records.
Miami listings updated May 2026 from official Florida records.
Daycare in Miami: what parents should know
Our directory lists 272 licensed childcare providers in Miami, Florida, with Child Care Center the most common type (about 16% 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, 40 centers in Miami report infant care (roughly 15% — infant slots are the scarcest and fill fastest, so start early), and 28 offer preschool programs for ages 3–5. 44 are Head Start programs, free for income-eligible families.
Licensed care in Miami spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 9% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
Combined, Miami's licensed centers hold about 19,420 licensed seats — a practical gauge of how much local supply competes for each opening.
Miami childcare by the numbers
The Miami childcare landscape
Florida gives every 4-year-old free pre-K, and in Miami you apply for it — and for subsidized care — through one local agency rather than the state. With a large bilingual provider base, Miami families have strong, Spanish-friendly options across the county.
Free VPK for every 4-year-old
Florida's Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) program is universal — every 4-year-old qualifies for free pre-K regardless of income, a benefit written into the state constitution. In Miami, VPK and the income-based School Readiness subsidy are both administered locally by the Early Learning Coalition of Miami-Dade/Monroe, which is your single point of entry.
Subsidies and quality
The School Readiness Program (Florida's child-care subsidy) covers much of the cost for eligible working families through the local Early Learning Coalition — apply through the ELC, not Tallahassee. Look for the Gold Seal Quality Care designation, Florida's mark for accredited, higher-quality providers.
How licensing works
Child care in Florida operates under Department of Children and Families standards, administered locally in Miami-Dade. Inspection results are public; confirm a provider's license and recent inspections before you enroll.
Neighborhoods and cost
Miami is comparatively affordable for a big metro — full-time infant care commonly runs $1,000–$1,400/month. Brickell and Coral Gables skew higher-end; Hialeah, Doral, and Kendall offer abundant Spanish-language and bilingual programs; and licensed home-based care is common countywide.
When to start looking
Register for VPK through the Early Learning Coalition ahead of the school year. For infant care, tour early — Brickell and Coral Gables centers in particular carry waitlists — and ask about bilingual programming if that fits your family.
Childcare costs in Miami
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 Miami 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
- 71 kids
Largest licensed centers in Miami
By licensed capacity on file — bigger programs often mean more openings and age groups. Always verify the current license before enrolling.
All Miami licensed centers
Page 4 of 19Pick a provider above to see the full profile, including current license status, age range served, and phone number.
Frequently asked questions from families searching for child care here.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Miami, Florida?
What's the average daycare cost in Miami?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Miami daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Miami?
How do I verify a Miami daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Miami
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 Miami
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Miami, 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 272 Licensed Centers in Miami
Free, no signup, verified directly with Florida Department of Children and Families — Child Care Licensing.