Daycare Cost in Broward County, FL

Childcare in Broward County, FL

Broward County, home to Fort Lauderdale and 1.9 million residents, stretches from the Atlantic coast to the Everglades in South Florida. The county's economy is driven by tourism, marine industries (Port Everglades), healthcare (Memorial Healthcare System, Holy Cross), and a significant technology presence including Citrix and AutoNation. Infant care averages around $12,116 per year, moderately priced relative to the county's high cost of living, though quality programs in Weston, Parkland, and Coral Springs often cost considerably more. Broward's population is notably diverse, with large Haitian-American, Jamaican-American, and Latin American communities creating demand for multilingual childcare environments.

Finding Care

Broward County has a well-developed childcare market with a high density of center-based providers, particularly in suburban communities like Pembroke Pines, Miramar, and Coral Springs. The western suburbs have seen the most new center construction, while older eastern communities closer to the coast tend to have smaller, established programs with less turnover. Florida's VPK (Voluntary Prekindergarten) program provides free part-time preschool for all four-year-olds, and Broward has one of the highest VPK enrollment rates in the state.

Local Resources

The Early Learning Coalition of Broward County administers the School Readiness program (childcare subsidies) and VPK enrollment, serving as the primary resource for families needing financial assistance with childcare costs. The Children's Services Council of Broward County, funded by a dedicated property tax, invests over $100 million annually in early childhood programs including quality improvement, mental health consultation, and family support services. Broward County Head Start is operated by multiple delegate agencies with sites throughout the county, and the Broward County Public Schools system offers pre-K programs at numerous elementary schools.