Congregations Caring for Children

Licensing Requirements and Process

Licensing Requirements and Process

Licensing Requirements and Process

Licensing Requirements and Process

Licensing Requirements and Process

The State of California regulates child care in an effort to protect the health and

safety of participating children's personal rights. The California Department of

Social Services (CDSS), Community Care Licensing Division (CCL), is respon 

sible for licensing child care centers and family child care homes. The state does

not regulate certain types of child care, such as in home care or persons who care

for the children from just one family.

Licensing regulates the number of children to be cared for as well as the number

of adult caregivers. Licensing sets staff and caregiver qualifications that are based

on education and experience. The caregiver or center must meet specific health,

nutrition, maintenance, and safety requirements.

License Requirements

Every person, partnership, or corporation must obtain a license before providing

care and supervision to children.  A person can be convicted of a misdemeanor

for operating without a license.  Also, operating without a license may result in a

person having to pay civil penalties of $200 per day for illegal operations.

All applicants must attend an orientation session.

Licenses are non transferable.

All licensing requirements must be met prior to the issuance of a license.

All applicants must attend an orientation session about the application

process and licensing requirements.

Child care centers must have qualified directors who are at least 18 years of

age, as well as qualified teaching staff.

Requirements for directors and teachers include 12 units in early childhood

education plus, for the director, 3 units in administration or staff relations.

In addition, all staff must have verifiable experience working in a licensed

child care center or comparable group setting.  Education must be verified by

a certificate, transcript and/or credential from an accredited college or

university.

Licensed capacity is determined by the indoor and outdoor square footage

and by the number of available toilets/sinks.  Requirements include 35 square

feet of indoor play space per child, 75 square feet of outdoor space per child,

and one toilet and sink for every 15 children.

Age appropriate tables, chairs, play equipment, and materials must be

provided for all children.

A variety of daily planned activities must be provided to meet the needs of

the children in care.

The applicant may be required to meet other state, federal, and/or local codes

and regulations that are not enforced by CDSS, such as zoning, building

restrictions, fire, sanitation, and labor requirements.

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