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Licensed Daycare in Gainesville, Florida

Q: What's the average daycare cost in Gainesville?

Statewide averages in Florida run roughly $1110/month for infants and $790/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.

Q: What staff-to-child ratios apply in Gainesville daycares?

All licensed Florida centers must meet the state minimum: 1:4 for infants, 1:6 for toddlers, and 1:11 for preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers in Gainesville typically operate below these ceilings.

Q: Are subsidies available for daycare in Gainesville?

Florida families can apply for School Readiness Program (Early Learning Coalitions) (intake: (866) 357-3239). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide .

Every center listed below is sourced directly from the state's child care licensing registry — no paid placement, no editorial picks, no hidden referral fees.

Licensed Centers

Infant Spots

$1,110/mo

Florida avg infant

1:4

State infant ratio

Childcare costs in Gainesville

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 Gainesville 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 overview

Quick 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: 74 kids

ZIP codes covered

32605 16 32609 8 32608 8 32607 8 32606 8 32603 8 32601 8

Program types in Gainesville

Licensed Family Daycare Home

8 centers

Licensed Child Care Center

8 centers

Head Start Center

8 centers

Before & After School Care

8 centers

All Gainesville licensed centers

Page 3 of 4

L Preschool

Little Hearts Tallahassee #556

Gainesville

Preschool (2-5) Cap 103

N Head Start

Nurturing Hearts Tampa #9

Gainesville

2 years - 12 years Cap 110

O Infant Care

Orlando Generations Daycare #388

Gainesville

Preschool (2-5) Cap 62

O Montessori

Orlando KinderSmile #389

Gainesville

6 weeks - 12 years Cap 44

O Head Start

Orlando Little Angels #386

Gainesville

2 years - 12 years Cap 34

O Family Daycare

Orlando Playhouse Academy #391

Gainesville

School Age (5+) Cap 83

O Preschool

Orlando Smart Start Academy #385

Gainesville

Preschool (2-5) Cap 94

P Licensed Center

Pembroke Pines Creative Kids #141

Gainesville

Infants & Toddlers Cap 42

P Head Start

Pembroke Pines Discovery Preschool #137

Gainesville

2 years - 12 years Cap 60

P Montessori

Pembroke Pines Little Scholars #140

Gainesville

6 weeks - 12 years Cap 115

P Before/After School

Pembroke Pines Stepping Stones #138

Gainesville

School Age (5+) Cap 116

P Montessori

Port St. Lucie Bright Beginnings #346

Gainesville

6 weeks - 12 years Cap 103

P Family Daycare

Port St. Lucie Children's Place #348

Gainesville

School Age (5+) Cap 113

P Preschool

Port St. Lucie KinderCare #350

Gainesville

Preschool (2-5) Cap 29

P Head Start

Port St. Lucie Primrose School #351

Gainesville

2 years - 12 years Cap 45

Pick 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 Gainesville, Florida?

Our directory lists 56 licensed childcare centers in Gainesville, Florida, sourced from Florida Department of Children and Families — Child Care Licensing. All listings hold a current state license at indexing time; verify status directly via the state's lookup tool before enrollment.

What's the average daycare cost in Gainesville?

Statewide averages in Florida run roughly $1110/month for infants and $790/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.

What staff-to-child ratios apply in Gainesville daycares?

All licensed Florida centers must meet the state minimum: 1:4 for infants, 1:6 for toddlers, and 1:11 for preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers in Gainesville typically operate below these ceilings.

Are subsidies available for daycare in Gainesville?

Florida families can apply for School Readiness Program (Early Learning Coalitions) (intake: (866) 357-3239). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide.

How do I verify a Gainesville daycare's license?

Look up the provider directly in the official Florida Department of Children and Families — Child Care Licensing search. License status is the single most important credential to confirm before enrolling.