Have you ever wondered how to start a daycare in California?

Starting a daycare or childcare center in California, or any major city such as Los Angeles, San Francisco, or San Jose, requires careful planning and adherence to state regulations. 

Childcare is in Very High Demand

Estimated Number of Daycares and Childcare Centers per City 

• Los Angeles: 2,086 daycares. The city’s vast population creates a high demand for childcare services to support working parents. Daycare and Childcare centers are desperately needed in Los Angeles. Daycare.com is the best place to find daycare in the Los Angeles areas.

• San Diego: 700 daycares. With a growing family-friendly environment, San Diego has a significant need for quality childcare options. Daycares are in great demand, and more are needed every year. Daycare.com is a great place to starting looking for childcare and how to start your own daycare in San Diego

• San Jose: 450 daycares. As a major tech hub, many families in San Jose require reliable childcare to balance work and family life.

• San Francisco: 350 daycares. The dense population and high cost of living drive a strong demand for accessible childcare in the city. San Francisco is a hard place to find good childcare, and more daycare startups are needed. Use Daycare.com to help you find and start your own daycare and childcare business in San Francisco.

• Fresno: 200 daycares. Fresno’s expanding community sees a rising need for more childcare facilities to support its young families.

• Sacramento: 300 daycares. As the state capital, Sacramento has a steady demand for childcare services among government and private sector employees.

• Long Beach: 250 daycares. Long Beach’s diverse and sizable population requires a wide range of childcare options to accommodate working parents.

• Oakland: 300 daycares. The city’s dynamic growth and economic activities lead to a significant need for dependable childcare services. Daycare.com can help you find and start your own daycare and childcare business in Oakland.

• Bakersfield: 200 daycares. Bakersfield’s growing community, especially young families, necessitates more childcare facilities.

• Anaheim: 200 daycares. Known for its family attractions, Anaheim also has a high demand for childcare to support its residents.

• Stockton: 150 daycares. As Stockton continues to grow, the need for additional childcare services becomes increasingly evident.

• Riverside: 150 daycares. Riverside’s expanding population and workforce create a strong demand for accessible childcare options.

• Irvine: 150 daycares. Irvine’s family-oriented neighborhoods require substantial childcare services to support its residents.

• Santa Ana: 150 daycares. Santa Ana’s large and diverse population drives a high demand for various childcare solutions.

• Chula Vista: 120 daycares. The city’s rapid development and family-friendly policies increase the need for childcare facilities.

• Fremont: 108 daycares. Fremont’s role as a suburban hub for tech professionals means a consistent demand for childcare services.

• Santa Clarita: 105 daycares. The city’s family-centric community necessitates reliable childcare options for its growing population.

• San Bernardino: 100 daycares. San Bernardino’s diverse community requires numerous childcare services to support working parents.

• Modesto: 95 daycares. Modesto’s affordable housing attracts young families, boosting the demand for childcare facilities.

• Fontana: 80 daycares. The city’s steady growth and family-oriented communities drive a need for more childcare services.

Steps to Starting a Childcare Center in California

      First, conduct thorough research on licensing requirements, which vary depending on the type and size of the daycare. Whether you’re establishing a home daycare or a larger preschool and daycare facility, it’s crucial to create a detailed business plan outlining your services, target market, and financial projections. Additionally, secure a suitable location that complies with zoning regulations and offers ample space for children to play and learn safely. Investing in quality childcare management software, such as SimplySafeChild’s daycare management software, can significantly enhance your operations. This software efficiently handles alerts, payments, and automation, streamlining daycare management processes and minimizing the need for extra staff.
     With these tools in place, you can focus on providing excellent care and education to the children in your daycare, ensuring a smooth and successful operation. Setting up childcare in Los Angeles can be made easy with Daycare.com and our software. You can setup search  terms for your daycare and other daycares in every major city using the Daycare.com search engine.
     Using search words like Daycares in San Francisco, I need childcare in Los Angeles now, and other terms will always help. When building your daycare website, make sure to use terms that parents will use to look for your. Finding a daycare in Los Angeles is the best term to use if you operate your business in the Los Angeles area. Same for San Francisco. Parents love to use words like I need childcare in San Francisco, where to find childcare in San Francisco today.  There are also overnight childcare options and if you are opening a new daycare or childcare center, you may want to explore these options too.
     As always, use Daycare.com as a resource for any and all of your daycare needs. You can search for daycare and child all cities, using terms like Find childcare in Los Angeles, or need a drop-in daycare in San Francisco. Childcare is needed badly, and starting your own daycare center will not only help you, but your community. 

Childcare licensing requirements in California

Meeting childcare licensing standards in California is imperative alongside crafting a comprehensive childcare business plan. Ensuring compliance with state regulations is essential. Here are the statutory licensing prerequisites enforced by California law:

Family child care home provider requirements

• Must be at least 18 years old
• Must live in the home
• Must have a clear criminal record
• Must have a TB test
• Must complete 16 Pediatric Health and Safety training hours from an Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) approved vendor or accredited college/university
• Must have proof of at least one year of experience as a small family childcare home licensee or a teacher or director of a licensed childcare center, for large family childcare home applicants

Family child care home capacity requirements

The following are the capacity regulations for small and large family child care home licenses:

• Small family child care home capacity:
  • Only four infants (0-24 months) or six children. The six children must not be more than three infants and three older children over 2 years old. Also, you can consider a home capacity of eight children. In this case, you must not have more than two infants and six older children, two of which must be school age children. Lastly, a landlord’s consent and written parent notification are necessary when caring for more than six children.

• Large family child care home capacity:
  • Twelve children, including not more than four infants (0-24 months) and eight 2-year-old children. You’ll also need a qualified assistant, at least 14 years old. A large family child care home can also accommodate up to 14 children. This option requires no more than three infants (0-24 months) and 11 children over 2 years old. Lastly, you need a landlord’s consent and written parent notification when caring for more than 12 children.

Childcare center provider requirements

The following are staff qualifications for childcare center providers:

Licensed child care facilities are required to pay an annual licensing fee, as well as other fees such as for a change in location, change in capacity, and change in corporate status; and late fees, probation fees, and dishonored check fees.

Staff Qualifications

Director Qualifications

• Directors
  • 12 core semester units early childhood education/development
  • 3 semester units in Administration or Staff Relations
  • 4 years teaching experience in a supervised group Child Care Center

• Infant Director
  • 12 core semester units
    • 3 semester units related to infant care
  • 3 semester units in Administration
  • 4 years teaching with children under age 5 years

• School-Age Director
  • 12 core semester units early childhood education/development
  • 3 semester units in Administration or Staff Relations
  • 4 years teaching experience in a supervised group Child Care Center

Alternatives

• A degree in child development, 3 units Administration and 2 years teaching experience
• BA degree in child development, 3 units Administration and 1 year teaching experience
• Child Development Site Supervisor Permit or Program Director Permit
• School-Age Director – See Health and Safety Code Section 1597.21

Teacher Qualifications

• Fully Qualified Teacher
  • 12 core semester units in early childhood education/development semesters units
  • 6 months experience in a licensed child care center or comparable group child care program.

• Fully Qualified Infant Teacher
  • 12 core semester units
    • 3 semester units related to infant care
  • 6 months experience with children under age 5 years
• School-Age Teacher
  • 12 core semester units in early childhood education/development semester units
  • 6 months experience in a licensed child care center or comparable group child care program.

Alternatives

• Teacher – 6 completed semester units of early childhood education and enrolled in at least 2 semester units at a college until fully qualified
• Infant Teacher – 3 completed semester units of early childhood education and 3 completed semester units of infant care and Enrolled in at least 2 semester units at a college until fully qualified
• School-Age Teacher-  See Health and Safety Code Section 1597.21

Aide Qualifications

• Aide
  • 6 completed units of early childhood education
  • 18 years old, high school graduate or enrolled in an ROP at an accredited high school

Alternatives

• 2 completed units of early childhood education each semester following initial employment and continuation in an educational program until fully qualified

Childcare center capacity requirements

Below are the staff-to-child ratio requirements regarding infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children:

Infant ratios:

• One teacher for four infants
• One fully qualified teacher and two aides for 12 infants

Toddler ratios:

• One teacher for six toddlers
• One fully qualified teacher and one aide for 12 toddlers

Preschool ratios:

• One teacher for 12 children
• One teacher and one aide for 15 children
• One fully qualified teacher and one aide for 18 children

School-age ratios:

• One teacher for 14 children
• One fully qualified teacher and one aide for 28 children

Childcare license application in California

What do I need to get a Family Child Care Home License?

In order to get a Family Child Home license, you must:

• Be 18 years of age or older
• Attend an orientation (if you have not completed a Family Child Care Home Orientation within the last 12 months)
• Submit all the required forms in this Application Booklet
  • Be sure to read each one carefully
  • All forms must be retyped or completed in ink
  • Keep a copy of all information that you send to Licensing
• Submit the required application fee
• Obtain a background check clearance for you, your spouse, and all other adults residing or having contact with the children in the home
• Obtain a tuberculosis clearance (not more than 1 year old) for all adults residing or having contact with the children in the home
• Complete or be enrolled in Preventive Health Practices training
  • This includes 15 hours of training in pediatric CPR, pediatric first aid, and a preventive health practices class
  • All classes must be offered by the American Red Cross, American Heart Association, or approved by the Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA)
  • Be sure to submit with your application, copies of course certificates of completion or training cards, or proof of current enrollment
• Meet experience requirements if you will be operating a Large Family Child Care

Home (up to 14 children)

• At least one year of experience either as a licensed Small Family Child Care Home provider or as an administrator, director, or teacher at a licensed Child Care Center
• Verification may include copies of previous licenses or a written statement from your previous employer on company letterhead. The letter should verify your job duties and length of employment
• Make sure that you meet any requirements of the city, country, or any other local ordinances
• Inform your landlord (if your are renting or leasing) of your decision to operate a Family Child Care Home
• Pass a home inspection

Below are the steps to take when applying for the Family Child Care Home License or Child Care Center License in California.

Step 1: Participate in a childcare licensing orientation.

The primary step entails participating in an online or in-person orientation session for childcare licensing. Depending on the type of childcare business you’re initiating, attend either the Family Child Care Home License orientation or the Child Care Center License orientation.

The orientation serves as a vital introduction to the prerequisites involved in launching and managing a daycare venture in California. Additionally, a non-refundable orientation fee is mandatory. It’s advisable to ensure that you meet the minimum eligibility criteria for either a Family Child Care Home or Child Care Center license application before enrolling in the orientation.

Step 2: Get acquainted with licensing laws and regulations

Following that, it’s essential to acquaint yourself with the pertinent laws and regulations governing family child care home licensing or child care center licensing. Specifically, focus on familiarizing yourself with health and safety codes:

• Division 12. Fires and fire protection
• Division 105. Communicable disease prevention and control
• Division 104. Environmental health

Step 3: Fill out and send in your application

Moving forward, proceed to complete and submit your application package. Depending on the type of license required, either fill out the Family Child Care Home License application or the Child Care Center License application.

The Family Child Care Home License application requires you to fill out six forms:

• Application for a Family Child Care Home License
• Current Children in Your Home
• Criminal Record Statements for all adults living in the home
• Emergency Care and Disaster Plan
• Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Suspected Child Abuse
• Facility Sketch

You’re also required to submit the following in addition to filling out the necessary forms:

• Proof of completing the orientation
• Proof of completing or enrollment in Preventive Health Practices training
• Proof of childcare experience
• Proof of TB clearance (not more than one year old) for all adults living in your home
• Payment (check or money order) for the nonrefundable application fee
• Contact Information

The Child Care Center License application requires you to fill out 15 forms:

• Application For Child Care Center License
• Applicant Information
• Criminal Record Statement
• Designation Of Facility Responsibility
• Administrative Organization
• Monthly Operating Statements
• Balance Sheet
• Financial Information Release and Verification
• Personnel Report
• Personnel Record
• Health Screening Report: Facility Personnel
• Emergency Disaster Plan
• Earthquake Preparedness Checklist
• Facility Sketch
• Local Fire Inspection Authority Information

You must also include the following documentation with your application:

• Partnership Agreement, Articles of Incorporation, or Articles of Organization, depending on what applies to your business
• Verification of director qualifications such as transcripts from an accredited school/college and reference letters confirming required experience
• Job descriptions for every position at your daycare center
• Personnel policies
• Parent handbook
• Daily activities schedule
• Enrollment agreement
• Staff training plan
• Sample menu
• List of furniture and play equipment
• Control of property such as proof of ownership or copy of lease or rental agreement
• Bacteriological analysis of private water supply (if applicable)

How much is the application fee?

Below is a quick rundown of California’s family child care home and child care center fees.

Family child care home licensing fees

• Orientation fee: $25
• One-time application fee: $73 for small family child care homes and $140 for large family child care homes
• Yearly licensing fee: $73 for small family child care homes and $140 for large family child care homes

Child care center licensing fees

• Orientation fee: $50
• One-time application fee: This fee varies between $484 and $2,420 based on capacity
• Yearly licensing fee: 50% of the one-time application fee, which varies depending on capacity

Step 4: Conduct pre-licensing inspection for Family Child Care Home License.

Finally, if you’ve applied for a Family Child Care Home License, you’ll need to ready yourself for a pre-licensing inspection. Following the completion and submission of your application package, a licensing program analyst will contact you. During the inspection, they will assess various aspects including the overall cleanliness of your home, the functionality of fire extinguishers, smoke alarms, and telephones, appropriate storage of hazardous materials, and other relevant criteria.

Click here for a full list of the requirements for the inspection.

Step 5: Await approval

The entire application process takes between 60 and 90 days.

Securing a daycare license stands as a pivotal initial phase in establishing a daycare enterprise in California. Depending on your specific daycare setup, you can pursue either a family child care home license for in-home operations or a child care center license for commercial premises. By diligently strategizing and readying yourself, you can successfully navigate through all of California’s licensing prerequisites, setting the stage for the subsequent stages of your business.

Child Care Licensing Program

744 P Street

Sacramento, CA 95814

Phone: (916) 654-1541

Child Care Advocate Program

Phone number: (916) 654-1541

Email address: [email protected]

https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing

To best market your daycare and utilize coming tools such as all-in-one waitlist management, payment processing, and single scan solutions for parent updates, sign up at https://daycare.com/signup. Where can I look to find the best childcare and daycare. Daycare.com. Hundreds of thousands of daycare listings in every major city, including daycares in – Los Angeles, San Diego, San Jose, San Francisco, Fresno, Sacramento, Long Beach, Oakland, Bakersfield, Anaheim, Stockton, Riverside, Irvine, Santa Ana, Chula Vista, Fremont, Santa Clarita, San Bernardino, Modesto, Fontana.  If you are looking to find the best child care in Los Angeles, click below. You can also find the best daycares, and preschools in cities like San Francisco by also clicking below.  How to find the best daycares in San Jose is easy. Use the Daycare.com search engine! https://daycare.com/ and enter any city or zip you need to find childcare in any city.

You can start here with all the major cities in California:
Los Angeles, California Daycare
San Diego, California Childcare
San Francisco, California Daycare
San Jose, California Daycares
Fresno, California Childcar