Types of programs and providers in our referral database fall into the following categories:

1. Family Child Care Homes
2. Licensed Child Care Centers
3. License-Exempt Center-based Programs

Family Child Care Homes

Per the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) – Community Care Licensing (CCL)

Family Child Care Homes are defined as follows:

A Family Child Care Home must be in the licensee's own home. A Family Child Care Home reflects a home-like environment where non-medical care and supervision is provided for periods of less than 24 hours.

There are Small Family Child Care Homes and Large Family Child Care Homes.

• Small Family Child Care Homes provide care to no more than 8 children.
• Large Family Child Care Homes provide care to no more than 14 children

Licensed Child Care Centers

Per CDSS – CCL Division a Child Care Center (or Day Care Center) is usually located in a commercial building. Non-medical care and supervision is provided for infant to school age children in a group setting for periods of less than 24 hours.

Licensed Child Care Centers may operate four types of licenses:

Infant Care: Licensed to care for children ages birth up to two years of age, they are required to maintain a ratio of one adult to four infants

Preschool Care: Licensed to care for children ages two to enrolled in kindergarten, they are required to maintain a ratio of one adult to every twelve children.

School Age Care: Licensed to care for children who are enrolled in kindergarten up to age thirteen, they are required to maintain a ratio of one adult to every fourteen children.

License-Exempt Programs

License-Exempt Programs are exempt from licensing regulations for the following reasons:

1. Programs are operated on public school sites
2. Programs are located at a private elementary school that cares for more than 95 percent of their own children

For detailed information on types of care, click on the link below.

(Add link to “What are your child care options” handout)