License Application (California)

Overview of the license process 

In the state of California, all family child care homes are required to be licensed by the Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD).

 

There are two types of family child care licenses you can get in California: small or large.

 

A small license allows you to care for up to 6 children (8 in special circumstances).

 

A large license allows you to care for up to 12 children (14 in special circumstances).

 

Wonderschool strongly recommends that you start with a small license, even if you plan to grow quickly to a large license. Small licenses are easier and quicker to secure (no need to have a fire inspection). With a small license, you can start enrolling children sooner and then get your large license in the first few months as your program grows.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Complete licensing forms

 

Download and print the licensing forms here.

 

You will be submitting one copy of every form except “LIC508 - Criminal Record Statement.” For this form, you will need one for every adult (18+) living in your home.

 

If you don’t have a printer, you may want to purchase one. You will need to print more documents later in the licensing process, and you’ll also need to print enrollment documents for children in care.

 

If you don’t wish to purchase a printer, consider printing at your local library or a local store (such as Fedex, UPS, Staples, CVS, etc.).

 

LIC279 - Application for a Family Child Care Home License

Watch our video below to learn how to fill out this form.

 

 

LIC279B - Current Children in Your Home

Fill out this form with ALL children who live in your home (whether or not they are related to you). In California, any child under the age of 10 will count towards the number of children in care, so it is important to ensure all of this information is up to date.

 

LIC610A - Emergency Disaster Plan for Family Child Care Homes

Watch our video below to learn how to fill out this form.

 

 

LIC9108 - Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Child Abuse

Please review this document carefully, fill it out, and then sign it. In a later task, you’ll be asked to take an online training that will teach you more about being a mandated reporter.

 

A few notes about this form:

• For NAME put your first and last name.
• For POSITION put “Licensee.”
• Leave FACILITY NUMBER blank. You will receive your facility number later in the licensing process.
• Make sure to sign and date the second sheet!

 

LIC508 - Criminal Record Statement

Read this form carefully and fill out one copy for EACH adult (18 years or older) living in your home. You must fill out one form for every adult living in your home regardless if they are related to you.

 

Later in the licensing process, all adults living in your home will go to get their fingerprints rolled so that CCLD and the Department of Justice can run a criminal background check. If you or any adults living in your home have ever been arrested or convicted of a crime other than a minor traffic violation, you will receive a letter letting you know that you need to apply for an exemption. Please be advised that it can significantly delay your licensing process (in extreme cases, up to 9 months).

 

For FACILITY/ORGANIZATION NAME, put your first and last name plus “family child care home.” For example “Jane Smith Family Child Care Home.” CCLD prefers to use this simplified name to keep track of your facility.

 

Leave FACILITY/ORGANIZATION NUMBER blank. You’ll receive your facility number later in the process.

 

LIC999 - Facility Sketch

Watch our video below to learn how to fill out this form.

 

 

LIC9217 - Pre-Licensing Readiness Guide - Family Child Care Home

This form contains a checklist help you prepare for your home inspection. Although the instructions say to send it when your home is completely ready, we have found that sending this form along with your application packet makes the licensing process proceed more smoothly.

 

Check off all the items to acknowledge that you will prepare your home according to these guidelines before your inspection. Due to the other required steps in the licensing process, you’ll have at least 4 weeks to prepare after submitting your licensing application packet.

 

Keep a copy of this form for yourself and use it as you prepare your care environment.

 

Complete online orientation

Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) requires all new family child care home license applicants to complete an online orientation. The orientation costs $25 and takes about 1 hour to complete. You can find the course here.

 

Make sure to save and print the certificate you receive at the end of the course. You will need to submit this with your application packet.

 

Register for health & safety trainings

New family child care licensees are required to complete two health and safety trainings:

• Pediatric First Aid & CPR (8 hours)
• Preventive Health, Safety, & Nutrition (8 hours)

At this point in the licensing process, you only need to prove that you have registered for these trainings — you don’t need to complete them yet. However, you will need to complete the training before you can receive your license, so we recommend registering for trainings that will take place in the next 4-6 weeks if possible.

 

These trainings must be approved by the California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA). Luckily, EMSA maintains a list of approved providers in California.

 

After you have registered for both courses, print a copy of your email confirmation. You will submit this with your license application packet.

 

If you are already certified in pediatric first aid and CPR, you can submit a copy of your CPR card with your application. If your CPR card is more than two years old, you must retake the training. If you are already CPR-certified, we find that Licensing likes to ensure you are valid for at least 6 more months before needing to renew.

 

If you have already completed an EMSA-approved Preventive Health, Safety, & Nutrition training, you can submit proof of completion with your application packet. This training does not expire.

 

Complete online mandatory reporter training

New family child care licensees are required to complete online mandatory reporter training. This course is free and takes about 1 hour to complete. You can find the training here.

 

After completing the training, you will receive a certificate of completion via email. Print this certificate and keep it on file. You will submit it with your license application packet.

 

Gather proof of negative TB tests

New family child care licensees are required to prove that all adults (18+) living in their home have tested negative for Tuberculosis (TB) in the past year.

 

You can get tested by your doctor or at public clinics such as CVS Minute Clinic. Evidence of clearance that is more than 1 year old will not be accepted.

 

For every adult living in your home, you must provide evidence that includes:

• The adult’s full name
• The doctor or clinic’s name
• Proof of negative TB test
• Signature of supervising doctor or nurse

 

Gather proof of immunization

As a new family child care licensee, you are required to be immunized against measles, pertussis, and influenza.

 

All other adults living in your home (for example, your spouse) are also required to be immunized against measles, pertussis, and influenza, although it is technically not required if they never come into contact with the children. The final decision about whether other adults in your home need to be immunized will be made by your licensing analyst.

 

Please note that any future employees or volunteers in your program must also prove immunization against measles, pertussis, and influenza.

 

Here is more information about each immunization:

 

Measles

You must provide proof that you are immunized against measles. This immunization is typically achieved through the MMR (measles, mumps, rubella) vaccine that you likely received as a child. You can prove immunization by submitting a copy of your immunization record that includes you doctor’s or clinic’s name and information.

 

If you do not have an immunization record, your doctor can perform a titer test to determine if you are properly immunized. Some local clinics (such as CVS Minute Clinic) can also perform the titer test.

 

Pertussis (Whooping Cough)

You must provide proof that you are immunized against pertussis. This immunization is typically achieved through the DTaP (diphtheria, tetanus, pertussis) vaccine for children and the TDaP booster vaccine for adults. You can prove immunization by submitting a copy of your immunization record that includes you doctor’s or clinic’s name and information.

 

If you do not have an immunization record, your doctor can perform a titer test to determine if you are properly immunized. Some local clinics (such as CVS Minute Clinic) can also perform the titer test.

 

Influenza

Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) strong recommends that you receive a flu vaccine every year to protect children in your care. Flu viruses change each year, which is why an annual vaccine is required. The vaccine is usually available in the Fall, and early vaccination is recommended in order to prevent the spread of the flu. Submit evidence showing that you have been vaccinated between August 1 and December 1.

 

You can choose to opt out of the influenza vaccine by submitting a signed statement that you have declined to be vaccinated against the flu.

 

Gather proof of home ownership OR proof of lease and landlord notification

If you rent your home, include a copy of your lease with your license application packet. Your lease must match the home address provided on your LIC279 form. It must include your name, your landlord’s name, signatures for both parties, and the dates that show you are currently renting the unit.

 

If you rent your home, you must also notify your landlord that you plan to open a family child care. Download this form and print two copies. Send one copy to your landlord and save one copy to submit with your license application. Under California state law, your landlord cannot prevent you from opening a family child care in your home. If you need more information about these laws, see this article.

 

If you own your home, include a copy of your home deed or a home payment. Your home deed must match the home address provided on your LIC279 form.

 

Prepare and submit application

Congratulations on getting everything prepared for your license application packet!

Below is a list of everything that must be included in your license application packet (print a copy here). Make a copy of every item so you have it on file, too.

• Completed LIC279 form
• Completed LIC279B form
• Completed LIC610A form
• Completed LIC9108 form
• Completed LIC508 form (one for EACH adult living in your home)
• Completed LIC999 form
• Completed LIC9217 form
• Certificate of completion for online orientation
• Proof of registration for 8-hour EMSA-approved Pediatric CPR & First Aid training (or proof of completed training)
• Proof of registration for 8-hour EMSA-approved Preventive Health, Safety, & Nutrition training (or proof of completed training)
• Certificate of completion for online mandatory reporter training
• Proof of negative TB status for ALL adults living in your home
• Proof of immunization against measles, pertussis, and influenza for yourself and ALL adults living in your home who will come into contact with the children
• Proof of home ownership OR proof of lease and landlord notification (LIC9151)
• A check for $73 (small license) or $140 (large license) payable to the CA Department of Social Services.

Gather all the above items in large envelope (such as this one).

 

Drop off your license packet at your local CCLD office. Here is a list of all CCLD offices in California.

 

We recommend dropping off your packet in person to avoid mail delays and issues. If you prefer to mail your packet, send it via certified mail with tracking so you can make sure it reaches its destination safely.

 

After you have dropped off or mailed your packet, mark this task as complete (woohoo!)