Starting a daycare in California is a significant undertaking that requires careful planning and adherence to state regulations. The process is designed to ensure that children are cared for in a safe, healthy, and enriching environment. This guide provides a detailed overview of what is necessary to open a licensed child care facility in the state, from understanding the different types of care to meeting long-term operational standards.
Understanding California’s Daycare Categories
The first step for any prospective provider is to understand the different licensing categories, as the rules and requirements vary significantly between them. California’s system is primarily divided based on the location of the daycare and the number of children being cared for. The California Department of Social Services (CDSS) oversees these licenses to ensure that all providers meet state health and safety standards.
A Small Family Child Care Home is operated out of the provider’s own residence. This license allows a single provider to care for up to eight children when no other children under the age of 10 live in the home, or up to six children when other children under 10 are in the home. The total number of children includes the provider’s own children under the age of 10. This option is often the starting point for individuals looking to begin a child care business with lower startup costs.
For those looking to expand their home-based operation, a Large Family Child Care Home license is the next step. This license allows for the care of up to 14 children, but it requires the assistance of a qualified aide. To qualify for this license, a provider needs to have prior experience, such as operating a Small Family Child Care Home for at least a year or having equivalent experience in a licensed center.
A Child Care Center is a facility located in a commercial building rather than a private residence. These centers are licensed to care for a larger number of children and are subject to more extensive regulations regarding staffing, educational programs, and facility requirements. This category includes preschools, infant centers, and school-age child care programs. The licensing for a Child Care Center is more complex, requiring a more significant investment in both time and financial resources.
Personnel Qualifications and Required Training
All license applicants must be at least 18 years of age and undergo a comprehensive background check. This check involves submitting fingerprints through the Live Scan process to screen for any criminal convictions that would disqualify an individual from working with children. This requirement extends to every person over 18 who lives in a family child care home or works at a child care center.
All licensed providers and their staff must complete specific health and safety training. This includes a 16-hour course in Pediatric Health and Safety, which covers topics like pediatric first aid, CPR, and managing infectious diseases. This training must be completed through a vendor approved by the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA). Additionally, all child care providers are mandated reporters and must complete training on identifying and reporting suspected child abuse and neglect. Proof of a negative tuberculosis (TB) test is also a standard requirement for all staff and volunteers.
For those operating or directing a Child Care Center or a Large Family Child Care Home, additional educational qualifications are necessary. A center director needs to meet a combination of educational units in early childhood education (ECE) or child development and years of teaching experience. One common pathway is completing 12 semester units in ECE, three units in administration, and having four years of teaching experience.
Facility and Safety Requirements
A child care facility must have at least 35 square feet of usable indoor space per child. This area does not include spaces like hallways, bathrooms, or kitchens. For outdoor play areas, the requirement increases to 75 square feet per child, providing ample room for physical activity.
A facility must have at least one toilet and one sink for every 15 children, and these must be kept in a clean and sanitary condition. The facility is also responsible for having a written plan for cleaning and disinfecting toys and equipment to prevent the spread of illness. All areas accessible to children must be free of hazards, which includes securing heavy furniture, covering electrical outlets, and storing all toxic substances in a locked cabinet.
Every licensed daycare must have properly maintained, multi-purpose fire extinguishers and smoke and carbon monoxide detectors. The facility must also have a well-stocked first-aid kit that is easily accessible. Providers are required to develop and practice emergency plans for situations like fires, earthquakes, or other disasters.
The Step-by-Step Licensing Process
The licensing process begins with mandatory attendance at a licensing orientation specific to the type of license being sought. These orientations are offered both online and in-person and provide a comprehensive overview of the rules and responsibilities of operating a licensed daycare. A non-refundable fee is required for attendance.
After completing the orientation, the next step is to assemble and submit a detailed application packet. This packet contains numerous forms that require information about the applicant, the facility, and the proposed operation. Applicants will need to provide proof of completed health and safety training, TB clearance, and background check submissions for all relevant individuals, along with the required fees.
Once the application has been submitted and reviewed, the Child Care Licensing Division (CCLD) will schedule a pre-licensing inspection of the facility. This inspection serves to verify that the home or center meets all of the state’s health, safety, and operational standards. A licensing program analyst will visit the site to check for compliance with space requirements, sanitation standards, and safety measures. A license will only be issued after the applicant has successfully passed this inspection.
Maintaining Your License and Daily Operations
Maintaining a license requires ongoing adherence to state regulations, including maintaining the proper staff-to-child ratios. These ratios vary depending on the age of the children and the type of license, and they are strictly enforced to ensure adequate supervision. For example, a single provider in a Small Family Child Care Home can care for a maximum of three infants.
Providers are required to keep meticulous records for each child in their care. This includes up-to-date immunization records, emergency contact information, and attendance logs. If the facility provides food, it must follow nutrition guidelines to ensure that meals and snacks are healthy and well-balanced. These records are subject to review during unannounced inspections from the CCLD.
To keep a license in good standing, providers must pay an annual fee and complete a certain number of continuing education hours each year. This continuing education ensures that providers stay current on best practices in early childhood education, health, and safety. Failure to comply with any of these ongoing requirements can result in penalties, including fines or the revocation of the license.