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

• Family Child Care Homes
• Licensed Child Care Centers
• 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 three 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:

• Programs are operated on public school sites
• 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 here.