# Ask the Child Care Advocates

Hosted by: CDSS Community Care Licensing (https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing)
Presented by: CDSS Child Care Advocate Program
Date: 2023-05-23 · Length: 52:07
Web page: https://childcare.support/t/cdss-ask-advocates/

NOTE: Presented May 2023. Rules and deadlines may have changed since; check Rules & laws for the current version.

## What it is
The state's Child Care Advocates answer providers' most frequent licensing questions: reporting, trainings, records, immunizations, volunteers, ratios and safe sleep.

## 3 things to know
- Report an unusual incident to your regional office by phone within 24 hours, then in writing within seven days.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=11]
- Renew mandated reporter and pediatric CPR/first aid training every two years; preventive health and safety is one time only.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=14]
- Safe sleep logs with 15-minute checks cover all infants up to 24 months, not just the first year.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=24] [current rule: Title 22 §101429(a)(2) requires 15-minute physical checks of sleeping infants in infant care centers; the 0–24 month range was not confirmed in that section.]

## What to do
- Report unusual incidents to your regional office by phone within 24 hours, then send LIC 624 (centers) or LIC 624B (homes) within seven days.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=11]
- When you make a CPS report, also file an unusual incident report with licensing.  [presenter said at 00:22:01, not independently confirmed]
- Family child care homes: tell licensing when adults in the home change (new LIC 279 and TB results), when off-limits areas change, and about structural changes. Centers: report a new director within 10 days.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=13]
- Keep children's and staff records at least three years after a child leaves or a job ends, and make sure whoever is in charge can produce them during a visit.  [presenter said at 00:30:32, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:37:09, not independently confirmed]
- If an assistant is ever alone with the children, make sure they have current pediatric CPR and first aid.  [presenter said at 00:25:53, not independently confirmed]

## What's new
- AB 605 added Health and Safety Code section 1596.951, creating a single child care center license. At the time, Phase One (new applicants only) was with the Office of Administrative Law.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=23]
- The speaker said individual COVID-19 cases no longer have to be reported now that the state of emergency has ended.  [presenter said at 00:22:41, not independently confirmed]

## Welcome and the Child Care Advocates
- The webinar was held May 23, 2023, built from questions providers had asked the advocates.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=1]
- The Child Care Advocate Program has promoted quality child care in California since 1984. The presenter said advocates do not have enforcement authority.  [presenter said at 00:07:39, not independently confirmed]

## Laws versus regulations
- Statutes (the Health and Safety Code) are passed by the Legislature, signed by the Governor, and cannot be waived. Title 22 regulations are licensing rules that can be waived in some cases.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=8]
- The presenter said regulations have the same effect as law, and failing to follow either can lead to a citation.  [presenter said at 00:09:49, not independently confirmed]

## Stay connected: the licensing website
- The presenter showed where to sign up for PINs and Quarterly Updates on the licensing website.  [presenter said at 00:13:07, not independently confirmed]
- The presenter pointed to the Child Care Law Center's resources, and said they answer whether a child can be released to a minor (yes).  [presenter said at 00:18:31, not independently confirmed]

## Reporting requirements
- Report unusual incidents to your regional office by phone within 24 hours and in writing within seven days, on LIC 624 (centers) or LIC 624B (homes).  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=11]
- Reportable incidents include a child's death, an injury needing medical attention, outbreaks of 2 or more, poisonings, catastrophes, and fires or explosions.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=12]
- The presenter said a fall is reportable only if the child needs medical attention, and a CPS report always needs an unusual incident report too.  [presenter said at 00:21:22, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:22:01, not independently confirmed]
- The presenter said outbreaks of two or more cases must be reported, but single COVID-19 cases no longer need to be. Single cases of flu or diarrhea don't need a report.  [presenter said at 00:22:33, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:22:41, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:24:36, not independently confirmed]
- The presenter said a planned closure isn't an unusual incident, but tell your analyst.  [presenter said at 00:23:12, not independently confirmed]
- Homes report off-limits area changes, changes of adults (new LIC 279 and TB results) and structural changes. Centers report a new director within 10 days.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=13]
- The presenter said new adults in the home also need fingerprint clearance.  [presenter said at 00:24:29, not independently confirmed]

## Required trainings
- Mandated reporter training and pediatric EMSA-certified CPR/first aid are updated every two years. Preventive Health & Safety is one time only, with lead training for a change of ownership or location.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=14]
- The presenter said renewing mandated reporter training only requires the child care session.  [presenter said at 00:25:06, not independently confirmed]
- The presenter said family child care assistants need CPR/first aid only if left alone with the children. Centers need at least one CPR/first aid trained person on site at all times.  [presenter said at 00:25:38, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:25:53, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:26:32, not independently confirmed] [coming October 1, 2027: all staff providing care in a center or family child care home, and substitute adults in homes, must have current pediatric first aid and CPR and at least 16 hours of health and safety training (PIN 26-11-CCP, checked 2026-09-29).] [coming October 1, 2027: all staff providing care in a center must have current pediatric first aid and CPR and at least 16 hours of health and safety training (PIN 26-11-CCP, checked 2026-09-29).]
- The presenter said EMSA accepts in-person and hybrid CPR/first aid classes (online lecture plus in-person skills and testing).  [presenter said at 00:27:33, not independently confirmed]
- The presenter said Preventive Health and Safety doesn't expire, except a course taken before July 1, 2020 must be retaken for a new application or change of location.  [presenter said at 00:28:06, not independently confirmed]
- Integrated Pest Management training is for centers only; the presenter said anyone applying pesticide at a center takes the DPR-approved Healthy Schools Act course.  [presenter said at 00:29:06, not independently confirmed]

## Record keeping
- Use LIC 311A (centers) or LIC 311D (homes) as a guide to required records, including the children's roster (LIC 9040).  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=15]
- The presenter said to keep records at least three years after a child leaves or employment ends, and records must be available during an analyst's visit.  [presenter said at 00:30:32, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:37:09, not independently confirmed]
- The presenter said outside professionals, like a child's speech therapist, don't need staff files, but emergency contact information is best practice.  [presenter said at 00:30:59, not independently confirmed]

## Immunizations
- Children need up-to-date immunizations and a completed blue card (PM 286); only medical exemptions are allowed. The requirements do not block a child with an IEP from special education services.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=16]
- Staff need influenza, pertussis and measles immunizations. The presenter said staff may decline the flu vaccine by self-declaration, once, not yearly.  [presenter said at 00:32:29, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:33:55, not independently confirmed] [current rule: at centers, a person may decline the flu vaccine (only) by written declaration (HSC §1596.7995).]
- The presenter said there is no grace period for children's immunizations under the regulations or SB 277.  [presenter said at 00:32:46, not independently confirmed]
- The presenter said adults working in child care need TB clearance plus flu (or declination), pertussis and measles vaccines, and family child care licensees need proof on file too.  [presenter said at 00:33:07, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:33:28, not independently confirmed]
- The presenter said records from another country are accepted if translated and showing name, date of birth and vaccines received.  [presenter said at 00:34:11, not independently confirmed]

## Volunteers
- The presenter said volunteers are not part of the ratio and cannot be left alone to supervise children.  [presenter said at 00:34:51, not independently confirmed]
- Volunteer records cover immunizations and TB, a health screening (centers only), and criminal record clearance in specific cases. The presenter said to ask your analyst when unsure about the clearance exemption.  [presenter said at 00:35:46, not independently confirmed]
- The presenter said centers keep a volunteer file with immunizations and a letter of good health. Volunteers don't need mandated reporter, first aid or CPR training.  [presenter said at 00:36:20, not independently confirmed]

## Capacity and ratios
- The presenter said transitional kindergarteners count as school-age for the 7th/8th child (small) or 13th/14th (large), if your records show TK or kindergarten enrollment.  [presenter said at 00:37:59, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:38:16, not independently confirmed]
- The presenter said you may enroll more children than your capacity, but attendance can never exceed it.  [presenter said at 00:39:24, not independently confirmed]
- The presenter said a second aide doesn't allow more preschool children in a group, and the department reviews exception or waiver requests case by case for rules not in the Health and Safety Code.  [presenter said at 00:40:00, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:40:50, not independently confirmed]
- The presenter said infant groups can have one fully qualified teacher with two aides and up to 12 infants, with aides directly supervised in the same room.  [presenter said at 00:41:50, not independently confirmed; presenter said at 00:41:59, not independently confirmed]
- The presenter said school-age ratios are 1 teacher to 14 children, or 1 teacher plus an aide to 28.  [presenter said at 00:42:29, not independently confirmed]
- The presenter said an assistant can supervise napping children if the remaining teachers needed for the ratio are on site.  [presenter said at 00:42:57, not independently confirmed]

## AB 605: single license
- AB 605 added Health and Safety Code section 1596.951, creating a single center license covering infant, toddler, preschool and school-age components.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=23]
- Phase One (new applicants only) was then with the Office of Administrative Law; Phase Two moves existing centers to the single license.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=23]

## Safe sleep
- An infant is a child under two, and all safe sleep regulations apply to all infants.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=24]
- Infants up to 12 months sleep on their backs unless a licensed physician gives a written medical exemption, and need an Individual Infant Sleeping Plan (LIC 9227).  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=24] [current rule: in family child care homes, if LIC 9227 Section C is completed and signed, an infant who changes position may stay in that position (Title 22 §102425(d)(4)).]
- The 15-minute checks and sleep logs apply to all infants up to 24 months.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=24] [current rule: Title 22 §101429(a)(2) requires 15-minute physical checks of sleeping infants in infant care centers; the 0–24 month range was not confirmed in that section.]

## Upcoming webinars
- 2023 provider webinars were June 27, September 26 and December 12 (all now past), with registration through PIN 22-30-CCP.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=25]
- Questions: childcareadvocatesprogram@dss.ca.gov.  [✓ official source: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf#page=27]

## Questions people asked
- Q: Are there still COVID-19 requirements?
  A: The presenter said there is no requirement now that the state of emergency has ended, but providers can use the October 2022 COVID-19 guidance as a guide.
- Q: How often must new staff redo the health screening and TB test?
  A: The presenter said there's no licensing requirement to repeat them while you work at the same facility. If you move to a new facility and the result is more than a year old, you repeat it.
- Q: Is there an update on removing the toddler option from center licenses?
  A: The presenter said the toddler option was to be taken out of the Health and Safety Code (captioned as January 2024) as part of the single license transition, and that details would come in the written directives.

## Sources
- Official slides (English): https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates.pdf
- Official slides in Chinese (Traditional): https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates-zh.pdf
- Official slides in Spanish: https://cdss.ca.gov/Portals/9/CCLD/CCP%20Documents/Ask-Child-Care-Advocates-es.pdf
- Official recording (YouTube): https://youtu.be/0TQJMsZELS0

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