A daycare license in California is issued by California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD), which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 7 documents on file for staff and children and meet 5 staff-to-child ratios by age group. Renewal: Licenses do not expire. Annual fees required. Ongoing compliance monitoring. The checklist below covers what belongs in each file and what has to stay current.
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Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD). Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
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See a ready-made enrollment packet →California childcare licensing is administered by the Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) under the California Department of Social Services. All facilities providing care for children from more than one family must be licensed under Title 22 regulations. California has some of the most detailed childcare requirements in the country, covering staff qualifications, facility standards, health and safety protocols, and record-keeping. Licenses are non-expiring (perpetual) but subject to annual fees and ongoing compliance monitoring.
| Age Group | Staff : Children |
|---|---|
| Infants (0–12 months) | 1:4 |
| Toddlers (12–24 months) | 1:6 |
| 2 years | 1:12 |
| 3–4 years | 1:12 |
| School age (5+ years) | 1:15 |
No state-mandated group size maximums. Capacity is limited by 35 square feet of usable indoor space per child and 75 square feet of outdoor space per child.
Ratios shown are a summary and have not yet been checked against California Department of Social Services (CDSS), Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD)'s rule text. Confirm with the agency before relying on them. Source: CDSS Community Care Licensing Division
LIC 700 – Identification and Emergency Information
State form required for all enrolled children. Includes emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
LIC 627 – Consent for Emergency Medical Treatment
Signed parental consent for emergency medical treatment.
LIC 701 – Physician's Report
Medical assessment from a licensed physician documenting the child's health and ability to participate.
LIC 702 – Child's Pre-admission Health History
Health history completed by parent/guardian prior to admission.
LIC 995A – Notification of Parents' Rights
Parent must sign acknowledging receipt of their rights as a childcare consumer.
CDPH 286 – California Immunization Record (Blue Card)
Official California immunization record. Must be verified and on file before admission.
Infant Needs and Services PlanConditional
Individual care plan for infants covering feeding, sleep, and developmental needs. Required for infant care only.
GetDocsSigned tracks every one of these per file and flags what’s missing or expiring.
Start freeSummary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: CDSS Community Care Licensing Division
Exemption Policy
Medical exemptions ONLY. California eliminated personal belief and religious exemptions in 2016 (SB 277). Medical exemptions must be issued through the CAIR-ME system by a licensed MD or DO. Temporary medical exemptions are valid for up to 12 months.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: CDSS Community Care Licensing Division
Minimum Age
18 years (16 years for supervised aides)
Background Check
Live Scan fingerprinting through the California DOJ and FBI required for all staff, volunteers, and household members. Child Abuse Central Index (CACI) check also required. Clearance must be obtained before any contact with children.
Lead Teacher Education
Minimum 12 semester units of ECE or child development coursework including core courses. Teachers in infant/toddler rooms may need additional specialized units.
Assistant Education
No initial ECE units required for aide level, but must work under direct supervision of a teacher at all times.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid required (15-hour Health & Safety course). Certification renewed every 2 years.
Continuing Education
105 hours of professional development per 5-year permit renewal period (approximately 21 hours/year) for Child Development Permit holders.
Director Qualifications
Minimum 15 ECE semester units (including 3 units in administration) plus 4 years of experience in a licensed program, OR a Bachelor's or higher degree in ECE or a related field with experience.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: CDSS Community Care Licensing Division
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection every 3 years (triennial). More frequent inspections for facilities with prior violations or complaints.
License Renewal
Licenses do not expire. Annual fees required. Ongoing compliance monitoring.
Application Process
Mandatory CCLD orientation, submit LIC 200 application, complete Live Scan fingerprinting, obtain fire marshal clearance and TB clearances for all staff, and pass a pre-licensing facility inspection.
Licensing Fee
$484 and up for child care centers, varying by capacity. Contact CCLD for current fee schedule.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: CDSS Community Care Licensing Division
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: CDSS Community Care Licensing Division
These are the pages this summary was checked against. The agency's published rules govern; where this page and the agency differ, the agency is right.
Ratios, required documents, and inspection schedules vary from state to state. If you operate near a border, run a second location, or are deciding where to open, start with the states in the Pacific states.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
One link. Parents complete child information, emergency contacts, pickup, immunizations, health details, and consents on their phone, and the finished packet lands in your account as a PDF. Free to start, no card.