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21.2: Understanding Licensed Care and License Exempt Care

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  • Page ID
    142052

    • Amanda Taintor
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    Defining Types of Care

    In California, licensed providers undergo an application and review process with Community Care Licensing (CCL) and are required to comply with specific health and safety regulations. License-exempt care is not regulated by Community Care Licensing, although there may be other government agencies that monitor their activities.

    Four main groups of childcare providers are exempt by California from obtaining a childcare license.

    • The first group includes individuals who care for a relative's children or who care for the children of one other family and their children. Certain parent cooperatives, in which families rotate care unpaid, are also exempt.
    • The second group includes public and private non-profit programs that offer recreational services. These programs include some community centers and most parks and recreation programs.
    • The third group includes businesses that offer limited childcare to their clients and customers. These programs usually require that the parent or guardian remain on the premises and that they remove their children within a specified amount of time.
    • A fourth group includes programs overseen by state agencies other than Community Care Licensing. For example, organized camps managed by the Department of Public Health and heritage schools that the Department of Education oversees.

    [1]

    Additional Resources:

    Licensed Child Care Reporting Requirements

    Licensed child care providers submit reports to Community Care Licensing to ensure current records. Most reports are the same between a center and home-based providers, although some differences might exist between the two types of programs.

    Most reports fall into two major categories:

    Reporting of unusual incidents

    • outbreaks of communicable diseases, such as mumps or measles
    • suspected child abuse
    • also, incidents that put children in danger, such as their wandering away from the facility unattended
    • and injuries to children that require medical intervention

    Reporting related to the overall operation of a facility

    • personnel changes
    • address changes
    • and modifications to your facility

    Reporting specific to the type of program include:

    • Family childcare providers must report information about any adult moving into or out of the home where the facility operates.

    Childcare centers must report the appointment of a new facility director and changes in board membership.[1]

    Additional Resources:

    [1] California Department of Social Services . Care Center General Licensing Requirements

    This page titled 21.2: Understanding Licensed Care and License Exempt Care is shared under a mixed 4.0 license and was authored, remixed, and/or curated by Amanda Taintor.