Florida School Readiness Program — School Readiness ProgramFlorida

Find out if you qualify in Florida

Enter your household size and monthly income to see if you qualify for child care assistance in Florida. Results are instant, nothing is stored.

For a household of 3, the income limit to apply in Florida is $4,163 a month (55% of state median income) and $6,433 (85% of state median income) to stay enrolled.

Estimated copay: Full-time care: no copay; Part-time care: no copay

Your state agency confirms your eligibility and final copay.

Applications are processed by Florida Office of Early Learning (OEL).

Florida School Readiness (SR) Program

Families in Florida who are working or preparing for work may be eligible for child care assistance through the School Readiness (SR) Program.

The program aims to help parents remain in the workforce or school while ensuring their children gain the skills needed to succeed in kindergarten.

Services range from extended day care to after-school, and school-age care for children from birth up to age 13 whose parents

are at or below 55% of the State Median Income (SMI),¹ and
are either employed at least 20 hours per week, or
enrolled as a student taking at least 12 credit hours.

The program pays part of child care costs directly to contracted providers. Parents pay a designated fee per child, based on family income and authorized hours of care.

What is the income limit for child care assistance in Florida?

Families are eligible for child care assistance if their household income is less than or equal to 55% of the State Median Income (SMI) at the time of initial application. Families can remain in the program until their income reaches 85% of the State Median Income (SMI).

Child care subsidy income limits by household size, Floridians
Household Size	55% SMIInitial Eligibility	85% SMIRedetermination
2	$3,370	$5,208
3	$4,163	$6,433
4	$4,956	$7,659
5	$5,748	$8,884
6	$6,541	$10,109
7	$6,690	$10,339
8	$6,839	$10,569

The income limits are presented as dollar amounts derived from a percentage of either the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) or the State Median Income (SMI) for 2026.

Priority is often given to children at risk of abuse/neglect, those in foster care, or those whose parents are homeless or receiving temporary cash assistance.

Will I have to pay a copay for School Readiness in Florida?

Your monthly parent fee is calculated as a percentage of your family’s gross income. The percentage depends on your income level and whether your child receives full-time or part-time care.²

Family income	Full-time care	Part-time care
Up to 50% of the poverty level	$0	$0
Above 50% up to 150%	4% of income	2% of income
Above 150% up to 85% of State Median Income	6% of income	3% of income

For hourly care, the fee is no more than the part-time rate. Some families may qualify for a fee waiver, including families receiving Temporary Cash Assistance and children referred by DCF as at risk. Contact your early learning coalition to confirm your fee and whether you qualify for a waiver.

How much is child care in Florida per month?

The average cost of child care in Florida is about $1,141 a month for an infant ($13,688 a year) and about $837 a month for a 4-year-old ($10,038 a year).

See how child care costs compare in every state.

How do I apply for child care assistance in Florida?

Families need to apply through Florida’s Early Learning Family Portal . If you are potentially eligible, you will be placed on a waitlist until a slot becomes available, depending on program funding and space in your area.

Florida Office of Early Learning (OEL)
Child Care Resource and Referral Network
(866) 357-3239

Sources & notes

Data and figures on this page come from the sources and notes below:

Prior to October 1, 2025, the initial gross family income was 150% federal poverty level (FPL). On October 1, 2025, the initial gross family income changed to 55% state median income (SMI) ↩
Florida Division of Early Learning, Sliding Fee Schedule for the School Readiness Program , effective July 1, 2025. ↩