Site Licensure &
License Exempt

Compliance Indicator

Each site/family child care home has a current license issued by the authorized licensing agency unless the site is exempt from licensure.

Regulations/Reference

CCD Program Instrument: III. Program Quality CCD 10
Health & Safety Code: 1596.792
Title 22: 101158[a][8] & 101218.1
Welfare & Institutions Code: 10208 & 10250
Title 5: 18020

Monitoring Review Evidence

• Current License & Current Receipt for Fee

• Licensing Citations (if any)

• Monitoring & Inspection Reports

• Proof of License Exempt Status (if applicable)

NOTE: CDSS Community Care Licensing videos provide a deeper dive into many of these topics. Note that these videos have been directly embedded within the Sketch Pad Notes below.

Licensed Facility

CDSS Community Care Licensing Division. An Overview of Community Care Licensing [Video]. Embedded June 1, 2022 from ccld.childcarevideos.org

California Department of Social Services, Child Care Licensing Program provides oversight and enforcement for licensed Child Care Centers and Family Child Care Homes through 21 Regional Offices located throughout California.

When a facility is initially approved, a license will be issued.

License must be posted at the center or family child care home at all times.

A license has an effective date, but not an expiration date. To maintain an active license a facility must:

• Operate according to the California Health & Safety Code & Title 22 of the California Code of Regulations

• Pay licensing fees

Licensing Fees

CDSS Community Care Licensing Division. Child Care Licensing Fees [Video]. Embedded June 1, 2022 from ccld.childcarevideos.org

Operators of a licensed child care site are required to pay a one-time orientation fee, annual fees, relocation fees & capacity increase fees.

The regulations require that a licensed site maintain records showing receipt of payment for licensing fees. Records may include a purchase order, proof of online payment or canceled check.

NOTE: To ensure a sites payment is not missed, contractors with multiple centers may request a combined bill that reflects annual fees for all sites. To do so, contact your Regional Licensing Office and ask to be placed on the Consolidated Billing Program.

Licensing Monitoring & Inspection

CDSS Community Care Licensing Division. Community Care Licensing Inspection Authority [Video]. Embedded June 1, 2022 from ccld.childcarevideos.org

The Child Care Licensing Program is responsible to visit facilities to conduct:

• Pre-licensing inspections

• Unannounced facility inspections

• Complaint investigations

• Follow-up inspections.

After each visit, the Licensing Program Analyst will issue a facility evaluation report, that if applicable will include any citations.

During a program review, a contractor must provide the reviewer with the most recent licensing facility evaluation report, along with if applicable any issued licensing citations and the Certificate of deficiency clearance.

NOTE:

• Licensing Evaluator Material and Tools are available on the Community Care Licensing website, within the Laws & Regulations page.

• Facility Evaluation Reports are made available online to the public

Licensed-Exempt Provider

CDSS Community Care Licensing Division. Understanding Licensed Care and License-Exempt Care [Video]. Embedded June 1, 2022 from ccld.childcarevideos.org

“Licensed-exempt provider” means an individual or organization that is not required to be licensed, as specified in HSC 1596.792, or any other federal law or regulation.

There are a variety of providers who are considered exempt from licensing, including:

• Relatives of the children in care. There is currently no maximum number of children that a license-exempt provider can legally care for.

• Providers who care for the children of only one family in addition to their own children, such as nannies & au pairs.

• Cooperative child care arrangements between parents where no payment is involved, all parents share care giving responsibilities equally & there are no more than 12 children receiving care.

• Public recreation programs for school-age children or that operate part-time or seasonally, extended day care programs, programs that operate a minimum number of hours a week & ancillary child care (where the parents are on the premises).

• A CSPP classroom operated by an LEA that is located on school grounds, only serves 4 year olds & holds a Certification of Classroom Exemption of Title 22 issued by CDE

After reviewing the video lesson & sketch pad notes, it’s time to check for understanding by completing a Knowledge Check. Note that Individual Knowledge Checks will conclude with a Certificate.

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