# Child Care Provider Webinar, 2025 Q4

Hosted by: CDSS Community Care Licensing (https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing)
Presented by: CDSS Community Care Licensing, CDSS Child and Adult Care Food Program, The Children's Partnership, CDSS Centralized Application Branch
Date: 2025-12-09 · Length: 59:57
Web page: https://childcare.support/t/cdss-2025-q4/

NOTE: Presented December 2025. Rules and deadlines may have changed since; check Rules & laws for the current version.

## What it is
The state licensing office's December 2025 quarterly webinar: new 2025 laws, CACFP food program data, infant mental health resources, center waivers, and top violations.

## 3 things to know
- Top 2024 violations included infant safe sleep: missing LIC 9227 plans and skipped 15-minute physical checks of sleeping infants.  [presenter said at 00:49:15, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:49:28, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:52:23, not independently confirmed]
- Renew mandated reporter training every 2 years. It was a top-cited violation for both homes and centers in 2024.  [presenter said at 00:49:42, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:50:15, not independently confirmed]
- Child care centers can request a waiver or exception to a regulation (not a statute); the alternative must meet its intent.  [presenter said at 00:43:24, not independently confirmed]

## What to do
- Update your facility's profile on MyChildCarePlan.org, or work with your local R&R, so families see current information.  [presenter said at 00:08:05, not independently confirmed]
- If your license was made inactive from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025, the presenter said a new request to stay inactive must be received by October 1, 2026. (The May 1, 2026 deadline for earlier inactive licenses has passed.) (deadline: October 1, 2026 (as said; confirm with your regional office))  [presenter said at 00:13:16, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:13:56, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:14:23, not independently confirmed]
- Ask families to review and update their emergency contact information.  [presenter said at 00:10:23, not independently confirmed]
- Avoid the most cited problems: keep LIC 9227 plans for infants up to 12 months, physically check sleeping infants every 15 minutes and log it, and renew mandated reporter training every 2 years.  [presenter said at 00:49:15, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:49:28, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:49:42, not independently confirmed]
- Tell your Licensing Program Analyst or regional office about changes to your phone, email, location, operation or physical plant.  [presenter said at 00:57:53, not independently confirmed]

## What's new
- MyChildCarePlan.org now lists all licensed child care providers in California, searchable by ZIP code, without home addresses or map locations for family child care homes (PIN 25-10-CCP).  [presenter said at 00:07:15, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:07:51, not independently confirmed]
- AB 495 (Family Preparedness Act of 2025) added HSC 1597.640. The Attorney General was to publish model policies by April 1, 2026 (now past). Licensees must ask families to update emergency contacts.  [presenter said at 00:09:35, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:10:23, not independently confirmed]
- SB 582 lets centers and homes closed by a declared disaster or emergency request inactive license status, and puts time limits on other inactive licenses.  [presenter said at 00:12:00, not independently confirmed]

## Welcome and professional growth hours
- This was the last quarterly statewide webinar of 2025, held December 9, 2025.  [presenter said at 00:05:02, not independently confirmed]
- Attendance can count toward professional growth hours. Attend the live webinar from start to end to get a Zoom email certifying your presence.  [presenter said at 00:04:18, not independently confirmed]

## MyChildCarePlan.org (PIN 25-10-CCP)
- MyChildCarePlan.org now lists all licensed providers in California, whether or not they take R&R referrals. Families can search by ZIP code and see licensing status.  [presenter said at 00:07:15, not independently confirmed]
- Home addresses and map locations of family child care homes are not shown, to protect providers' personal information.  [presenter said at 00:07:51, not independently confirmed]
- All licensed facilities are encouraged to update their profile or work with their local R&R.  [presenter said at 00:08:05, not independently confirmed]

## AB 495: Family Preparedness Act
- AB 495 aims to give children at risk of family separation because of a parent's immigration status stable, legally recognized caregiving arrangements.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/December%202025%20Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Approved_PDF.pdf#page=9]
- It added HSC 1597.640, requiring the Attorney General to publish model policies by April 1, 2026 (now past). The presenter said licensees must adopt them or something equivalent and let families know how to get a copy.  [presenter said at 00:09:35, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:09:58, not independently confirmed]
- Licensees must ask families to review and update emergency contacts, naming someone who can pick up the child if parents are unavailable.  [presenter said at 00:10:23, not independently confirmed]

## SB 582: inactive licenses
- Centers and homes that cannot operate because of destruction, damage or prolonged closure from a declared disaster or emergency may request inactive status (LIC 9211). The presenter said the request is due within 90 days, which CDSS may extend.  [presenter said at 00:12:00, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:12:28, not independently confirmed]
- Non-disaster inactive licenses now have time limits. The presenter said those made inactive on or before December 31, 2023 had to re-request by May 1, 2026 (now past), and those made inactive from January 1, 2024 through December 31, 2025 must re-request by October 1, 2026.  [presenter said at 00:13:16, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:13:56, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:14:23, not independently confirmed]

## Other 2025 laws
- Other laws listed for information: AB 753, AB 49, AB 144, AB 435, AB 752, AB 1264, SB 19, SB 98, SB 119 and SB 568. A PIN with more detail was coming.  [presenter said at 00:14:37, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:15:05, not independently confirmed]
- Sign up for the CDSS distribution list to get PINs by email.  [presenter said at 00:15:22, not independently confirmed]

## Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)
- CACFP is a federal program that reimburses nutritious meals in care settings. Eligible centers, day care homes, afterschool programs, adult day care and emergency shelters can join.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/December%202025%20Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Approved_PDF.pdf#page=13]
- Its nutrition standards follow the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, and its online courses are in English and Spanish.  [presenter said at 00:19:59, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:21:46, not independently confirmed]
- A national USDA study found children eat better on child care days at CACFP providers than on other days.  [presenter said at 00:22:38, not independently confirmed]

## CACFP by the numbers
- From October 2023 through September 2024, 205,626,482 meals were served in California, and on average 785,496 participants a day ate CACFP-supported meals.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/December%202025%20Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Approved_PDF.pdf#page=16]
- FY 23-24 sites included 11,791 day care home providers, 5,530 afterschool sites, 4,287 child care centers, 307 adult day care centers and 28 emergency shelters. The presenter gave a total of 23,261 sites.  [presenter said at 00:25:05, not independently confirmed]
- The presenter said afterschool providers served over 75 million meals, day care homes over 54 million and centers over 44 million.  [presenter said at 00:25:56, not independently confirmed]
- In a CACFP satisfaction survey, over 65% found the application and renewal easy, and over 75% rated the Branch's response well.  [presenter said at 00:26:38, not independently confirmed]
- Materials come in six languages. A Stay Connected webinar was set for late January 2026 (now past).  [presenter said at 00:28:40, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:28:02, not independently confirmed]

## Infant and early childhood mental health (The Children's Partnership)
- This part was provided by The Children's Partnership for information only; it is not a CDSS endorsement and does not change licensing obligations.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/December%202025%20Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Approved_PDF.pdf#page=23]
- Healthy mental development early in life is the foundation for learning, relationships and health. The speaker said 90% of brain development happens before age five.  [presenter said at 00:31:58, not independently confirmed]
- It is about forming secure relationships, managing emotions and exploring, not a diagnosis. Young children's distress is often missed unless adults know what to look for.  [presenter said at 00:33:07, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:33:23, not independently confirmed]

## Three things you can do
- Build trusting relationships: be consistent, warm and predictable, and use "serve and return" interactions.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/December%202025%20Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Approved_PDF.pdf#page=27]
- Help children manage feelings: name emotions, model calming, and offer a cozy or quiet space.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/December%202025%20Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Approved_PDF.pdf#page=27]
- Partner with families: quick daily check-ins, respect cultural differences, and connect families to supports. And take care of yourself.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/December%202025%20Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Approved_PDF.pdf#page=27; ✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/December%202025%20Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Approved_PDF.pdf#page=28]

## Mental health resources
- Fact sheets and toolkits are linked at allinforsafeschools.org.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/December%202025%20Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Approved_PDF.pdf#page=30]
- BrightLife Kids offers free coaching for children 0-12 and their families, paid by the State: no insurance or referral needed, and immigration status does not matter. See calhope.org.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/December%202025%20Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Approved_PDF.pdf#page=31]
- A support guide for immigrant parents covers self-care, children's mental health by age, Know Your Rights and safety planning. It was in English and Spanish only.  [presenter said at 00:41:53, not independently confirmed]

## Waivers and exceptions (child care centers)
- Community Care Licensing cannot issue waivers for family child care homes; this applies to centers only.  [presenter said at 00:43:24, not independently confirmed]
- A waiver is a non-transferable written approval to meet a regulation's intent another way, for a facility-wide need. An exception does the same for a specific child or staff person and cannot be transferred.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/December%202025%20Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Approved_PDF.pdf#page=35; ✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/December%202025%20Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Approved_PDF.pdf#page=36]
- Send a written request on letterhead with supporting documents (pictures are OK), naming the regulation and your alternative. Only regulations, not statutes, can be waived.  [presenter said at 00:44:10, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:44:14, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:46:28, not independently confirmed]
- The alternative must meet the regulation's intent, not harm children's health, safety or rights, be approved before use, and not conflict with other laws. Licensing analysts explain the process but do not approve requests.  [presenter said at 00:45:29, not independently confirmed]
- A waiver request can delay a pending license. The presenter said waivers can take up to 30 days.  [presenter said at 00:46:50, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:46:59, not independently confirmed]

## Most cited deficiencies in 2024: family child care homes
- Top three: operation of a home (Title 22 §102417), infant safe sleep (§102425), and mandated reporter training (HSC §1596.8662).  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/December%202025%20Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Approved_PDF.pdf#page=39]
- Operation citations included no current disaster plan or fire drills every six months, dangerous items within reach, hazards like unscreened fireplaces, missing fire extinguishers or smoke detectors, and incomplete emergency cards.  [presenter said at 00:48:11, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:48:21, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:48:35, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:48:51, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:49:00, not independently confirmed] [coming January 1, 2027: the emergency and disaster plan must meet Health & Safety Code §1596.868 and be reviewed every year, staff and volunteers must be trained on it, and practice drills must be held at least quarterly (PIN 26-11-CCP, checked 2026-09-29).]
- Safe sleep citations included missing LIC 9227 plans for infants up to 12 months and not checking sleeping infants up to 24 months every 15 minutes. Mandated reporter citations were for not renewing every two years.  [presenter said at 00:49:15, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:49:28, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:49:42, not independently confirmed]

## Most cited deficiencies in 2024: centers
- Preschool and school-age centers: mandated reporter training (renew every 2 years, proof on file), personnel requirements (Title 22 §101216), and lead exceedance (HSC §1597.16).  [presenter said at 00:50:15, not independently confirmed]
- Personnel citations involve staff health screenings, TB results, CPR and first aid records, and immunizations. The presenter said measles and pertussis proof is required and called flu "optional" (captions garbled).  [presenter said at 00:50:36, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:50:50, not independently confirmed] [current rule: the flu vaccine is required each year for center staff and volunteers, but a person may decline it in writing; measles and pertussis are required (HSC §1596.7995).]
- A lead exceedance is cited even if fixed, and testing is required every 5 years. Chemicals must be out of reach, on a high shelf or locked.  [presenter said at 00:51:15, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:51:23, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:51:39, not independently confirmed]
- Infant centers: sleeping infants must be watched by sight and sound at all times and physically checked every 15 minutes, and LIC 9227 plans kept up to date.  [presenter said at 00:52:11, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:52:23, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:52:43, not independently confirmed]

## Holiday tips and gratitude
- Talk with families to learn which holidays, if any, they celebrate, and plan celebrations that include every family.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/December%202025%20Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Approved_PDF.pdf#page=43]

## Reminders
- A survey of California child care centers on preventing infections, from Lundquist Institute/Harbor-UCLA doctors, was planned for late January 2026 (now past) for center directors and teachers of children under 5.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/December%202025%20Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Approved_PDF.pdf#page=45]
- Tell your Licensing Program Analyst or regional office about changes to your phone, email, location, operation or physical plant.  [presenter said at 00:57:53, not independently confirmed]
- 2026 statewide webinars: Tuesdays March 24, June 23, September 22 and December 8, 6:00 to 7:30 p.m. Registration is announced through PINs.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/December%202025%20Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Approved_PDF.pdf#page=47]
- Questions: your regional office, the Child Care Advocate Program (ChildCareAdvocatesProgram@dss.ca.gov), or (800) 543-7793.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/December%202025%20Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Approved_PDF.pdf#page=48]

## Sources
- Official slides (English): https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/December%202025%20Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Approved_PDF.pdf
- Official slides in Chinese (Traditional): https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Chinese-Traditional.pdf
- Official slides in Spanish: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Q4%20PW%20PP%20Deck_Spanish.pdf
- Official recording (YouTube): https://youtu.be/icnIkLa2AaE

Independent notes, not an official record of any agency, host or presenter. Check official sources before acting.