Open the official state resources
Start with the state licensing information linked on this page. Find the office that regulates family or home-based child care in the county or region where you live.
Provider PathBy Holly’s Growing Minds StudioEspañolCA guide
CA home child care
How to start a home daycare in California.
Use CDSS’s “How to Become Licensed” guidance and select the Family Child Care Home pathway rather than the Child Care Center pathway. Follow the appropriate orientation and application directions, and contact the regional office serving your location when your category is unclear. For professional development, check your local access arrangements: the California ECE Workforce Registry reports reduced statewide support, and its county-access notices are not fully consistent.
Source review: September 13, 2026
Reviewed background-check resources, center resources, home-provider resources, provider-start guidance, rules navigation, provider support, professional-development guidance. This was a targeted review of the linked public guidance, not a complete review of every rule or local requirement.
Confirm local registry access and accepted pediatric health-and-safety training with your licensing office. Statewide registry access is not assured.
Individual courses, staff qualifications, local approvals and account submissions have not been certified by this review. Confirm those details with the responsible agency.
Free state paperwork guide
Forms & records for California.
Family child care uses the LIC series. LIC 311D separates records retained at home from application submissions.
- Family Child Care Home License Application · LIC 279
Request initial license, capacity/location change or update.
Official source ↗ - Forms/Records to Keep in Your Family Child Care Home · LIC 311D
Checklist of child, staff and facility files for inspection.
Official source ↗ - Identification and Emergency Information · LIC 700
Record emergency contacts, medical contacts and authorized pickup people.
Official source ↗ - Emergency Disaster Plan for Family Child Care Homes · LIC 610A
Plan evacuation, relocation, utilities and emergency contacts.
Official source ↗ - Unusual Incident/Injury Report—Family Child Care Home · LIC 624B
Report listed serious incidents and corrective action.
Official source ↗ - Request for Live Scan Service · LIC 9163
Route fingerprints to correct agency and facility.
Official source ↗ - Child Care Facility Roster · LIC 9040
Maintain a current roster of enrolled children and family and medical contacts.
Official source ↗
Paperwork sources reviewed September 14, 2026. The full guide identifies provider types, use instructions, format choices, and review limits.
Your starting roadmap
Seven steps to organize the process.
This roadmap shows what most applicants need to ask about. It does not replace California’s current packet, regulations or licensing representative.
Prepared byHolly
Teacher, former in-home provider, and family child care specialist with more than 35 years in early childhood.
Source standardReview scope matters
How Provider Path is researched →Targeted source review dated September 13, 2026. The source-review note identifies the scope and limits. Confirm your category and location before applying.
Confirm which provider type applies
Ask whether your program will be licensed, registered, certified or legally license-exempt. The answer can depend on capacity, children’s ages, relationship to the children and whether care happens in your own home.
Request the application and orientation
Ask how to receive the current application packet and whether orientation is required before applying. Follow the state’s order instead of completing training, fingerprints or home changes too early.
Build your paperwork and training file
Confirm the required identification, education, health records, references, household information, emergency plans, insurance, training and local approvals. Keep copies of every document and certificate.
Complete background checks as directed
Ask exactly who must be checked, which forms are required and where approved fingerprinting is completed. Requirements may include caregivers, substitutes, employees and household members.
Prepare the home for inspection
Use the current state rules to review exits, alarms, sleeping and play spaces, outdoor areas, pets, water safety, medications, supervision, emergency plans and any local fire, zoning or health requirements.
Submit, inspect and follow up
Submit the complete packet in the order your licensing office requires. Prepare for the home visit, correct any remaining items and wait for written approval before operating when a license or registration is required.
Questions for your first call
Write these answers down.
The first conversation with the licensing office can save you from paying for the wrong training, inspection or home changes.
- Which home child care category fits my planned capacity?
- Do I need orientation before receiving or submitting the packet?
- Which documents and training certificates are submitted together?
- Who needs background checks, and when should fingerprints be completed?
- Which local fire, health, zoning or business approvals apply?
- Is liability insurance required, and what coverage limit or proof must I provide?
- May I operate before final written approval?
Official starting links
Use current sources for the final answer.
Choose training for your setting and role.
Check local access before relying on the ECE Workforce Registry: its public notices report reduced statewide support and do not list county exceptions consistently. Verify accepted pediatric health-and-safety, CPR and first-aid training separately with the licensing office.
Before enrolling, confirm the exact course, provider category, staff role, format, required topics and hours, completion deadline, renewal and accepted certificate. Check pediatric CPR and first aid separately; a general online child-development or health-and-safety course is not a substitute for the certification your agency accepts.
Provider starting point
CDSS: how to become licensed
Identify your provider category and the office responsible for your application.
Open resource ↗Home child careFamily child care home application steps (PDF)
Use the family or home child care guidance for the category you plan to operate.
Open resource ↗Child care centersChild care center application steps (PDF)
Use the center-specific guidance. Home-provider requirements and center requirements can differ.
Open resource ↗Home child careCDSS licensing orientations
Use the family or home child care guidance for the category you plan to operate.
Open resource ↗Rules and standardsCDSS child care laws and regulations
Choose the current rules for your program category and confirm the effective edition with the agency.
Open resource ↗Background checksCDSS background-check process
Confirm who must be checked, the required documents and the timing before arranging checks.
Open resource ↗Provider supportCDSS regional child care offices (PDF)
Find practical assistance and contact information for your next step.
Open resource ↗Professional developmentCalifornia ECE Workforce Registry: check local access
Find professional-development guidance and confirm the exact course, format and certificate for your role.
Open resource ↗Inspection recordsCalifornia provider and inspection search
Use the state’s search starting point to understand monitoring records and how licensed programs are displayed.
Open inspection resource ↗Child care assistanceCalifornia subsidy resources
Find the state program that helps eligible families pay for care and ask how providers participate.
Open assistance resources ↗Meal reimbursementCalifornia CACFP finder
Start with the USDA and state directories for family day care home sponsors and program contacts.
Find food-program contacts →Insurance regulatorCalifornia insurance department
Verify companies and agents, find consumer help, and ask state insurance questions.
Open state regulator directory ↗Business protection guideHome daycare insurance questions
Check state requirements, home-policy exclusions, child-capacity eligibility, and provider options.
Open insurance guide →Program setupEquipment and supplier guide
Compare professional and budget sources, then track verified items, quotes, purchases, and recall checks.
Plan equipment purchases →After written approvalMarketing and enrollment guide
Build a clear program description and a responsible 30-day plan for filling openings.
Plan responsible promotion →