Machine-translated by Google, so it can be wrong. For official rules, read the English page or ask your licensing office.
Every official California resource for child care providers on this site, by topic. For the most useful few, start from what you need. Each one links to the official page, says who publishes it, and says when we last checked the link.
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Collected from California Department of Social Services: Resources for Providers and the 9 CDSS pages it links to (fetched September 28, 2026), plus a few resources this site added; each card says where it came from. Where each one came from and when its link was checked: How this site is checked.
A CDSS fact sheet on what licensing checks during inspections and what the public facility search shows.
From the page itself: its bookmarks, in its own words.
Register for the licensing orientation for a family child care home or child care center license: online, live virtual or in person.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
Background check rules from 2006 and 2007 laws for foster family homes and related homes; the page does not list child care facilities.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
How CDSS background checks work for applicants, licensees, staff and some volunteers, including criminal record exemptions.
From the page itself: the links it lists, in its own words.
The California Department of Justice's Megan's Law website on registered sex offenders; it opens on a disclaimer you must acknowledge first.
How Live Scan electronic fingerprinting works for licensing background checks, how to request it, and the fees.
The TrustLine registry for checking nannies and license-exempt caregivers; the page opens with links to Guardian and to a public Background Check Search.
The statewide network of local child care resource and referral agencies (R&Rs); its zip code search finds your local R&R.
The R&R Network's page where families look for child care through their local R&R.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
The R&R agencies' site where families look for child care; licensed providers can claim a profile to advertise openings.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
A CDSS guide for parents on choosing child care: licensed and license-exempt options, TrustLine, and signs of quality care.
A short tip sheet for parents on who licenses child care and what licensed facilities must do.
Also in: Spanish · Chinese · Russian · Farsi/Dari
The California association for early care and education professionals, with membership, local chapters and a conference.
The CDSS home page.
A statewide network for family child care providers, with membership and public policy meetings.
California's small business office: advisors, grants and financing leads, and guides for starting and running a business.
An association offering training, support and advocacy for California child care program leaders.
A flyer introducing CDSS's Child Care Advocate Program, which helps parents and providers learn about licensed child care.
Also in: Spanish · Chinese · Armenian · Korean · Vietnamese
From the page itself: its bookmarks, in its own words.
A nonprofit law center focused on child care; its current campaign is fair pay for publicly funded child care providers.
An organization that brings California family child care providers together to advocate for their profession.
The Child Care Advocates Program's email address, which the CDSS page shows under a label for LA wildfire information.
The Technical Support Program's email address for questions about the program.
The list of CDSS child care licensing offices, including every regional office, with addresses and phone numbers.
From the page itself: its bookmarks, in its own words.
A statewide membership association for leaders of early learning and care programs for children from birth to 12.
The National Association for the Education of Young Children: memberships for educators and resources for families.
The national association for family child care and other home-based child care providers.
A public interest law firm that gives free legal services or matches clients with volunteer lawyers.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
A brochure on CDSS's Technical Support Program: free help, without citations, to improve your compliance, and how to ask for it.
From the page itself: its bookmarks, in its own words.
A statewide association whose members verify and provide child care subsidies for working families and support providers.
CDSS's Child Care Advocates, who give licensing information to providers and parents and help coordinate complaints and concerns.
From the page itself: the items from this page listed on this site, in its own words.
A list of provider associations that advocate for children and families and share resources with licensed homes and centers.
From the page itself: the items from this page listed on this site, in its own words.
Where to get legal help: Public Counsel's free legal assistance and low-cost workshops for qualifying providers, and the Child Care Law Center.
From the page itself: the items from this page listed on this site, in its own words.
Non-enforcement help from CDSS for licensees who are struggling to meet licensing requirements, through a referral from your regional office.
From the page itself: the items from this page listed on this site, in its own words.
A CDSS guide to appealing civil penalties and findings of deficiency at a child care center or family child care home.
How to file a complaint about a licensed facility with CDSS by phone, email or online form, and how complaints are handled.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
CDSS's public search of licensed facilities, with five years of licensing history, citations and complaint reports.
Help paying for child care for families who get or used to get CalWORKs cash aid and are working or in county-approved Welfare-to-Work activities; the family chooses the provider.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
The statewide Head Start association. Head Start is a federally funded program for low-income children ages 0 to 5 and their families.
Pay your annual licensing fee online by card or by check, and read which fees CDSS charges and why.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
Labeled on the CDSS page as the California Department of Education. This page blocks automated checks, so we have not described it; open it directly.
This page blocks automated checks, so we could not confirm it today. Open it directly.
Pointers to state and federal child care funding and to help with starting or expanding a facility.
From the page itself: the items from this page listed on this site, in its own words.
CDSS forms and brochures, listed alphabetically or by program, with translated forms and how to order forms.
From the page itself: the links it lists, in its own words.
Links to the Title 22 regulations and Health and Safety Code chapters for child care centers and family child care homes, and the Evaluator Manual.
On this site: Rules & laws
From the page itself: the links it lists, in its own words.
CDSS's list of Provider Information Notices for child care, by year.
On this site: PINs
A Bing video search results page, not a single video, which CDSS labels "Car Seat Warning".
The California Department of Public Health home page.
A video on deaths at child care programs linked to unsafe sleep; CDSS lists it as SIDS deaths in Michigan.
CDPH's chart of the vaccines children need at each age to attend child care, and how facilities must check them.
Also in: Spanish
A video on keeping sleeping babies safe and on sudden infant death; CDSS lists it as a San Diego County SIDS video.
CDPH's page for the yearly report on children's immunizations that child care facilities must file, with the reporting site and due date.
A two-page flyer on lead poisoning: how it harms children, common sources of lead, and how to reduce lead in tap water.
Also in: Arabic · Farsi · Spanish · Russian · Korean · Chinese · Vietnamese
Lead testing information and PINs under AB 2370, including the lead flyer every licensee must give families when a child enrolls or re-enrolls.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
Labeled on the CDSS page as mental health and wellness resources. The link now redirects to an archive page that blocks automated checks, so we have not described it.
This page blocks automated checks, so we could not confirm it today. Open it directly.
CDPH's Office of School Health Hub; the schools.cdph.ca.gov address CDSS links now opens this page.
Safe sleep rules for infants in child care, the Individual Infant Sleeping Plan form (LIC 9227), and safe sleep videos.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
CDPH's Sudden Infant Death Syndrome program page, with links on safe sleep for babies and a SIDS parent support group.
Links on immunization requirements for children in child care and on immunization reporting.
From the page itself: the items from this page listed on this site, in its own words.
A CDSS-funded collection of resources for including young children with disabilities or developmental delays in your program.
Labeled on the CDSS page as inclusive early education resources. This page blocks automated checks, so we have not described it; open it directly.
This page blocks automated checks, so we could not confirm it today. Open it directly.
Ideas and strategies for supporting a child whose behavior is challenging, so young children are not suspended or expelled from care.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
Labeled on the CDSS page as AAP advice on supporting a child's resilience in a crisis. The page was not found at this address when we checked.
This link did not work when we checked it.
The SBA's general business loan page (7(a), 504 and microloans). CDSS labels these links as disaster loans and as preparing for emergencies.
Labeled on the CDSS page as an EPA air quality resource. The page was not found at this address when we checked.
This link did not work when we checked it.
The federal air quality site, including a fire and smoke map for checking wildfire smoke where you are.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
Listos California's tips for getting your family and neighbors ready before a disaster.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
Labeled on the CDSS page as CalFire's statewide fire conditions and updates. This page blocks automated checks, so we have not described it; open it directly.
This page blocks automated checks, so we could not confirm it today. Open it directly.
California Health & Human Services' emergency resource guide, offered in several languages.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
Labeled on the CDSS page as CalHOPE. We could not read the page, so we have not described it.
Labeled on the CDSS page as the home of a free film, with classroom and home resources, on anxiety, coping and resilience. We could not read the page itself.
The home page of Cal OES, California's emergency services office.
California LifeLine: discounted home phone or cell phone service for qualifying households.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
Labeled on the CDSS page as FEMA information on children and disasters. This page blocks automated checks, so we have not described it; open it directly.
This page blocks automated checks, so we could not confirm it today. Open it directly.
American Red Cross tips for cleaning smoke and soot from a home and belongings after a fire.
California MAP's collection of resources on helping young children cope with trauma.
A charity that supplies medicine and medical resources to doctors and nurses in the U.S. and abroad.
A federal helpline for immediate crisis counseling after a disaster.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
UCSF's California Childcare Health Program page on disaster planning, including the California Child Care Disaster Plan for providers.
Save the Children's disaster relief work for children and families in the U.S.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
EDD benefits if a disaster costs you work, including Disaster Unemployment Assistance for self-employed people after a federal disaster declaration.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
The federal site for applying for disaster assistance and checking the status of an application.
Ready.gov's guidance on planning how to evacuate safely.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
Labeled on the CDSS page as FEMA's website. This page blocks automated checks, so we have not described it; open it directly.
This page blocks automated checks, so we could not confirm it today. Open it directly.
A private national directory of food pantries, soup kitchens and food banks; it is not a government site.
An emergency fund for home-based child care providers affected by disasters and severe weather.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
Head Start guidance for families on helping a child cope after a disaster.
California's statewide wildfire recovery site: housing help after a fire, for renters and homeowners.
A Los Angeles County public health fact sheet on cleaning smoke and soot from rooms and belongings after a fire.
From the page itself: its bookmarks, in its own words.
American Academy of Pediatrics advice on talking with children about tragedies and frightening news.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
American Academy of Pediatrics advice for families after hurricanes and floods. CDSS labels the link as responding to children's emotional needs in a crisis.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
LIHEAP helps eligible low-income households pay for home heating and cooling.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
A CDPH fact sheet on the health risks of wildfire smoke and ash, and how to protect yourself.
California Health & Human Services' guide to resources during planned power shutoffs.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
California's small business guide to recovering from wildfires, floods and other declared disasters.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
A CDPH fact sheet on protecting your family from wildfire ash, even if your home did not burn.
Los Angeles County guidance on returning safely to a child care site after a wildfire, including ash, soot and dust.
CDPH guidance on cleaning up wildfire ash safely.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
A $250 cash card that participating fire agencies give eligible households right after a fire or other disaster.
The U.S. Small Business Administration, including low-interest disaster loans for homeowners, renters and businesses.
Labeled on the CDSS page as wildfire facts. It opens a file on Google Drive that we could not read, so we have not described it.
CalRecycle's information for homeowners on wildfire debris cleanup and recovery.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
The National Child Traumatic Stress Network's collection of wildfire resources for children and families.
Labeled on the CDSS page as information on wildfire smoke and children; it opens a CDC page that blocks automated checks, so we have not described it further.
This page blocks automated checks, so we could not confirm it today. Open it directly.
CDPH's page on mental health and emotional well-being during and after wildfires.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
Federal resources on how wildfires and smoke affect children's health, and what families and communities can do.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
A two-page fact sheet on wildfires and children's health: how to prepare, and what to do during and after a wildfire.
Ready.gov's federal guidance on wildfires.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
American Academy of Pediatrics advice for families on caring for children, and themselves, during and after wildfires.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
CDSS's page of public assistance and services for people affected by wildfires and other disasters.
From the page itself: the links it lists, in its own words.
CDSS's disaster page for child care: a step-by-step emergency planning guide, emergency waiver PINs, and wildfire, power shutoff and recovery resources.
From the page itself: the items from this page listed on this site, in its own words.
How a Governor's emergency proclamation lets CDSS waive some licensing rules in the affected counties, with the waivers granted for each emergency.
A 2019 CDSS notice to all licensed providers about planned power shutoffs and wildfire emergencies.
On this site: PIN 19-10-CCLD
A 2023 CDSS notice on preparing for extreme heat, power shutoffs and wildfires.
On this site: PIN 23-13-CCLD
A CDSS notice on Everbridge, the system CDSS uses to alert licensees about disasters and emergencies.
On this site: PIN 24-06-CCLD
A CDSS notice on preparing for winter storms, flooding and post-fire debris flows that can disrupt a licensed facility.
On this site: PIN 25-01-CCLD
From the page itself: its bookmarks, in its own words.
CDSS's list of other approved mandated reporter trainings, with contacts and the languages each one is offered in.
Free online professional development modules for early childhood teachers and providers, all in one place.
Labeled on the CDSS page as EMSA, which approves pediatric first aid, CPR and preventive health training for child care providers. The link sent us to a sign-in page, so we have not described it.
Professional learning and events for preschool and transitional kindergarten educators, administrators and providers, through regional leads.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
A recording of CDSS's introductory webinar on the Technical Support Program.
The Department of Pesticide Regulation's home page. CDSS labels this link Healthy Schools Act Training, but it does not go to the training.
Research-based workshops for family child care and family, friend and neighbor providers on caring for mixed-age groups of children.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
Online, state-approved mandated reporter training you can take on your own time, with a certificate at the end.
The American Academy of Pediatrics' online learning site. The child care courses link on the CDSS page now opens PediaLink's main page.
CDSS links this for the book Preventing and Managing Infectious Diseases in Early Education and Child Care, but the link now opens the AAP store's PREP Self-Assessments page.
Professional learning on caring for infants and toddlers, for family child care providers, infant care educators, coaches and trainers.
Child Care Aware of America has retired this Training Academy; the page points providers to a different online training program.
A national organization on early childhood development that supports families and professionals working with babies and toddlers.
CDSS's video library on licensing rules and requirements, with sections for parents, family child care providers and centers.
Training links, including mandated reporter training, which licensed providers, directors and employees must complete and renew every two years.
From the page itself: the items from this page listed on this site, in its own words.
Slides and recording of CDSS's "Ask the Child Care Advocates" webinar, including how to reach the regional advocates.
On this site: Ask the Child Care Advocates
From the page itself: its bookmarks, in its own words.
The recording of CDSS's webinar on the safe sleep regulations.
On this site: Safe Sleep Regulations
CDSS's list of provider webinars: quarterly webinars since 2023 and topic webinars, with slides and translations.
On this site: Webinar notes
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
Chinese slides from CDSS's June 25, 2024 provider webinar. The CDSS page lists this link as a Chinese version of the immunization guide.
On this site: Child Care Provider Webinar 2024 Q2
Slides and recording of the Child Care Advocates' September 12, 2023 webinar on lead, including lead testing requirements.
On this site: Lead and Licensed Child Care Facilities
From the page itself: its bookmarks, in its own words.
Sign up for CDSS licensing emails, such as PINs and quarterly update newsletters, for the program you choose.
Back issues of the CDSS Child Care Licensing quarterly update newsletter; the newest listed is Winter 2023.
A CDSS child care licensing surveys page that currently says only "Coming Soon!"
An archive of the emails CDSS child care licensing has sent to providers, listed by date with their subject lines.
CDSS's yearly count of child deaths in licensed child care centers and family child care homes, 2017 through 2025.
CDSS licensing data in one place: facility and capacity counts, most commonly cited deficiencies, and other reports.
From the page itself: its section headings, in its own words.
A CDSS report comparing new licenses and closures during 2020 and 2021 with 2017 to 2019; background, not current data.