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How do I apply for the School Readiness child care subsidy in Florida?

Use the free tool — After-School & Summer Finder FL

What is School Readiness?

School Readiness is a subsidy that helps working families in Florida pay for before-school, after-school and summer care for children under 13. It is described on the Florida Division of Early Learning's School Readiness page.

Who can get it?

• A parent or guardian is generally working or in school.
• Household income is generally below the Early Learning Coalition's limit — about 150% of the federal poverty level at entry. Check the current limit with your coalition — this guide does not state an exact dollar figure because it changes.
• The child is under 13, and care is at an approved provider.
• A co-pay applies. The amount depends on your income and family size; ask your coalition what yours would be.

How do I apply?

1. Find your county's Early Learning Coalition. Florida has coalitions organized by county — find yours on the Early Learning Coalitions of Florida page.
2. Apply through that coalition's own application process. Each coalition manages its own applications and wait list.
3. Be ready to show proof of work or school enrollment and household income, since eligibility depends on both.
4. Ask about the wait list. There may be one — ask how long it typically runs in your county.

What to ask before you enroll

• Is the provider licensed by Florida's Department of Children and Families, or is it license-exempt? Ask either way.
• What is the staff-to-child ratio, and are staff background-screened?
• What happens if a parent is running late for pickup?
• Does the program follow the school calendar, and how does transportation work — is care at the school, or does a bus run from specific schools?
• How does the program support a child with ADHD or a disability?

Other ways to lower the cost

If School Readiness doesn't fit your situation, ask your employer about a Dependent Care FSA, and look at the federal Child and Dependent Care Credit for care that lets you work. This is not tax advice — confirm with a tax professional or the IRS.

What to do next

This is general information, not legal, tax or child-care advice — always confirm eligibility, the co-pay and the wait list directly with your county's Early Learning Coalition. The free After-School & Summer Finder FL tool reads your own child's age, county, work hours and budget and shows you the program types that fit, including whether School Readiness likely applies to you and what to ask before you enroll. No account, nothing stored.

After-School & Summer Finder FL lists types of after-school and summer programs and subsidies in Florida from official sources; it can be wrong, and it is not child-care, legal or financial advice. Verify every program directly. Nothing you type is stored.