Site Licensure &
License Exempt

Compliance
Indicator

Each site has a current license issued by the authorized licensing agency or is appropriately exempt from licensure. 

Regulations/Reference

EED Program Instrument: III. Program Quality EED 10 & 11
Health & Safety Code: 1596.792 & 1596.7925
Title 22: 101158[a][8]
Education Code: 8205, 8228 & 8237
Title 5: 17775

Monitoring Review Evidence

• Current License & Current Receipt for Fee

• Licensing Citations (if any)

• Monitoring & Inspection Reports

• Proof of License Exempt Status

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

LEAs Choosing to be Exempt From Licensing

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

According to the regulations, a Local Educational Agency (LEA) means a school district, county office of education, or charter school & is also referred to as a LEA.

An LEA is required, as part of its annual notification, to clearly indicate which of its CSPPs are operating as exempt from licensing & which of its CSPPs are operating pursuant to Title 22 licensing requirements. 

At the time of initial funding and thereafter yearly as a part of the continued funding process, the California Department of Education will determine whether a LEA meets the conditions to be license exempt, including:

• Facility located on school grounds meets specific requirements

• Classroom is only serving 4 year old children

• Classroom meets all health and safety requirements based on the California Code of Regulations

During a review, a contractor must provide proof of license exempt status, which includes a copy of the approved Certification of Classroom Exemption of Title 22 issued by the California Department of Education.

NOTE: Any child under four years of age must be served in a LICENSED facility

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.

Individual Knowledge Check (ProProfs) >

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