FAQs

---

What are my choices in child care?

There are many kinds of child care arrangements that parents can choose. Finding the right childcare for your child is hard work that only you, the parent, can do. Here is some information to help you in your child care search. The information below describes the two primary child care settings – child care centers and family child care homes.

While quality child care may be expensive and difficult to find, remember that infancy and the preschool years are probably the most critical developmental stages in your child's life. There is no one right way to make the decision.

• Trust your instincts and try to sort out what you feel strongly about, and what are minor concerns.
• Be honest with yourself about which childcare situation makes you feel most comfortable and where your child would be happiest.
• Observe which caregiver has the best relationships with the children and parents in the program.

The right kind of child care can be a wonderful opportunity to enrich your child's life and help your child realize his or her full potential.

What does a child care license tell me about a facility or provider?

Some forms of child care require licensing and others do not. The State of California requires that most child care centers and family child care homes be licensed by the Community Care Licensing division of the Department of Social Services.

The following types of care do not require a license:

• Care provided in the child's home or by relatives
• Family child care for the children of just one family in addition to the provider's own children
• Care provided as a cooperative arrangement among parents when the caregiver is not paid, and there are no more than 12 children  receiving care in the same place at the same time.
• Extended day care programs operated by public or private schools for school-age children

In the licensing process, a child care program is inspected by a state licensing analyst to ensure that the program meets minimum health and safety standards specified by law. There is a limit to the number and ages of children for each adult caregiver, and anyone caring for children must undergo an FBI background check. You can view all child care licensing requirements at the Community Care Licensing website: http://ccld.ca.gov/.

Parents should ask to see any family child care home or center's license, but a license by itself is no assurance about the quality of care provided. It is up to you to interview, ask questions, and make your own determination on which care is the best for your child.

What are Family Child Care Homes?

A family child care home is childcare offered in the private residence of the person who provides the care (called a provider). California's family child care home regulations distinguish between a "small" home and a "large" home. Homes must meet certain requirements before being granted a license. They are inspected before receiving a license, when there is a complaint, and once every 5 years to be sure they continue to meet these requirements.

What is the group size and provider-child ratio in family child care homes?

For a Small Family Child Care Home, the maximum number of children cared for, including children under age 10 who live in the home, is one of the following:

• Four infants, or six children, no more than three of whom may be infants.
• Six children, or up to eight children when one child is at least six years of age and one child is enrolled in and attending kindergarten or elementary school and no more than two infants are in care. Parent notification and property owner consent must be on file.

For a Large Family Child Care Home, the maximum number of children cared for when there is an assistant provider in the home, including children under age 10 who live in the home, and the assistant provider’s children under age 10, is either: 

• Twelve children, no more than four of whom may be infants, or
• Up to 14 children when one child is at least six years of age and one child is enrolled in and attending kindergarten or elementary school, and no more than three infants are in care. Parent notification and property owner consent must be on file.

What are the key state requirements for family child care homes?

• Parents have the right to visit a family child care home unannounced whenever their children are in care.
• If a small family child care home enrolls more than 6 children, the parents must be notified in writing.
• If a large home  enrolls more than 12 children, the parents must be notified in writing.
• Providers must have preventive health practices training, CPR and first aid certification.  No formal training in early care and education is required. 
• Providers in "large" family child care homes must have one prior year of childcare experience as a licensed family child care provider or the administrator of a center.
• The state lists certain methods of discipline which can never be used, including physical punishment of any kind.

How do I choose a child care program that is right for my family?  Here are some tips if you decide to use a licensed family child care home or child care center:

Allow yourself plenty of time to look at a variety of childcare arrangements. If possible, begin your search several months before you need the care.

Consider what you will need from your provider:

• What are your beliefs regarding child care and parenting?
• How do you feel about pacifiers, infant feeding, toilet training, and napping?
• What are your views on discipline and education?
• What kinds of activities do you want for your child?
• What are your family's or child's special needs?

Decide on a location and if you need care:

• Close to your home.
• On your way to work or near your work.
• Close to public transportation.

Get a list of names from the local child care Resource & Referral agency and from friends and family. In Alameda County, call 4Cs at 510-582-2182, Bananas (510) 658-7353 , Child Care Links (510) 568-0306 and Child, Family & Community Services at (510) 265-5300 or, if you live in Alameda County, visit 4Cs online referral service site here: Find Child Care Now.

Do a telephone screening.  Start your selection process on the phone and take notes on the following points:

• Availability
• Location
• Hours of operation
• Costs
• Licensing and accreditation
• Staff education and training, credentials and experience
• Staff-child ratio
• Toilet training requirement
• Transportation
• Meals

Visit a variety of facilities. In addition to looking at the environment, observe the interaction between the caregivers and children.

• Visit the facility at different times of the day to get a better feel for the atmosphere.
• Look at the rooms where children spend most of their time, plus the kitchen, bathroom, and      transportation vehicle (if applicable).
• Ask about sleeping arrangements and meal menus.
• Look at the  playground, building, and toys. Is there enough indoor and outdoor play equipment for the number of children?  Is it e-appropriate and safe?
• Ask how long the TV is on during a typical day.
• You may want to make your first visit alone so that you can interview the director or family child care provider and decide if the program merits a second look.  Take your child with you on the next visit to see his reaction to the facility, teachers, and other children.

Interview the director or family child care provider and each staff member who will care for your child.

• Ask about staff turnover and employee pay scale and benefits.
• Ask the director or family child care provider about program philosophy and discipline  methods.
• Let the provider know about your family, your concerns, and your expectations.
• Use a specific situation, such as biting or hitting, and ask how the situation would be handled. Ask about sick child care policies and provisions for a disaster situation.

Check for reports of any complaints filed against any of the programs you are considering.

• Parents have the right to get complaint information on any child care program they are      considering. Copies of licensing reports, including complaint      investigations, must be made available at the child care facility.
• Call Community Care Licensing at 1-844-538-8766 or visit the CCL Website at http://ccld.ca.gov/.      You will need to provide the center or provider's name, address, and     license number.

Get references from other parents in the program. Ask the center director or family child care provider to give you a list of names and phone numbers of parents who are currently using the program or who have used the program in the past.

Have a "test-period" with the program to see how your child adjusts and to give yourself time to evaluate your decision.

What if my child has special needs?

Early childhood programs, both family child care homes and child care centers, provide environments in which all children can grow and develop. The opportunity for children with special needs to participate in playful experiences with other young children has great value for all the children; as they play together, they develop a sense that everyone, regardless of ability, makes an important contribution to the group.The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is a federal civil rights law passed in 1990 that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities. This means that child care providers are required to make reasonable accommodations to support and enable children with disabilities to become fully included in their programs. An accommodation is considered reasonable if it does not cause an undue hardship to the provider. This is assessed on a case by case basis, taking into consideration the provider's available resources. The ADA is trying to encourage the attitude of "Let's see what we can work out..." instead of "We can't do that." For more information on the ADA law and best practices for inclusion in child care, contact our Resource and Referral Department at 510-582-2182.

What is Trust Line?

Trust Line is a database of nannies and babysitters that have cleared criminal background checks in California. It is the only authorized screening program of in-home child care providers in the state with access to fingerprint records at the California Department of Justice and FBI. It was created by the California Legislature in 1987 and is a powerful resource for parents hiring a nanny or babysitter.

All caregivers listed with Trust Line have been cleared through a fingerprint check of records at the California Department of Justice. This means they have no disqualifying criminal convictions or substantiated child abuse reports in California. Trust Line is administered by the California Department of Social Services and the non-profit Child Care Resource and Referral Network. It is endorsed by the California Academy of Pediatrics.

How can a parent use Trust Line?

Parents can check whether a nanny or babysitter is already listed with Trust Line by calling 800-822-8490. Parents will need the person's full name and driver's license number.

How do I prepare my child for child care?

First, prepare yourself. Many parents experience guilt, frustration, jealousy, and unhappiness when leaving their child with a caregiver for the first time. Have confidence in your ability to find the best situation for your child and talk to other parents to help clarify your feelings.

Here are some tips to help prepare your child:

• Prepare your child by reading books and talking about child care.
• Give your child the words to describe the experience. Words give your child some power over what is happening to him.
• Gradually introduce your child to care by arranging to stay if your child needs you on his      first day or week in the new caregiving situation.
• Remember, change requires time for adjustment. Your child may fall back on more familiar and comfortable behavior while he adjusts to new surroundings. If he was toilet trained, he may start having accidents. If she was beginning to talk, she may have less to say. These are temporary delays while your child adjusts to a new situation.
• Let your child take a favorite stuffed animal, blanket, or toy and a picture of you and the family. These things will give him comfort with something familiar to touch and hold.
• Establish a daily routine so your child knows when you'll be leaving and returning.

Does your childcare except subsidy programs?

· Yes, all subsidy programs are welcome

Where can I find more information?

California Department of Social Services Child Care Licensing Division released a set of videos answering many questions parents may have about child care. Visit their videos for parents at families at  https://ccld.childcarevideos.org/parents-and-families/

Having a big sale, on-site celebrity, or other event? Be sure to announce it so everybody knows and gets excited about it.