Become a Licensed Provider
The Community Care Licensing Division of the California Department of Social Services oversees the licensing of all child care facilities in California. These facilities provide non-medical care and supervision to children up to 18 years old for less than 24 hours a day. Your local R&R can provide you with more information.
In California, there are two types of licensed child care facilities:
A child care center is normally operated outside the licensee's home and provides non-medical care and supervision to infants, toddlers, preschoolers and/or school-age children for periods of less that 24 hours. These centers are usually in commercial buildings.
A family child care home is operated in the licensee's own home and provides non-medical care and supervision to 14 or fewer children in a homelike environment for less than 24 hours.
The following are basic requirements that must be met to become a licensed child care provider. For a more detailed explanation of licensing requirements, please contact the Community Care Licensing Division of the California Department of Social Services or your local R&R agency.
To become a licensed family child care home provider, an applicant must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Attend a licensing orientation. Contact your local R&R to get more information about licensing orientations conducted in your area.
- Obtain fingerprint cards and a Child Abuse Index Check for yourself, anyone over age 18 in your home, and any assistants. Everyone who must be fingerprinted must also sign a statement, under penalty of perjury, that s/he has never been convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation.
- Have a current tuberculosis clearance, as well as anyone over age 18 residing in the home or present in the home during the time that children will be in care.
- Complete 15 hours of training in Preventative Health Practices, which includes CPR and first aid. (Contact your local R&R to get more information about trainings conducted in your area).
- Have a smoke detector and fire extinguisher in the home where child care will take place.
- Submit a licensing application with all the required materials.
To start a licensed child care center, an applicant must:
- Be at least 18 years of age.
- Attend a series of licensing orientations. Contact your local R&R to get more information about licensing orientations conducted in your area.
- Verify that the directors and teachers have at least 12 units in early childhood education. Directors must also have at least three units in administration or staff relations.
- Obtain fingerprint cards and a Child Abuse Index Check for yourself and any staff. Everyone who must be fingerprinted must also sign a statement, under penalty of perjury, that s/he has never been convicted of a crime other that a minor traffic violation.
- Obtain a fire clearance.
- Submit a licensing application with all the required materials.
- Your local R&R agency can provide you with more information about how to become a licensed child care provider and how to obtain training.
More information:
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