Family resources and consumer education
Choosing quality child care
Choosing care for your child is an important decision. You must feel comfortable with your selection and confident that your child is in a safe and caring environment. We offer these helpful tips for choosing quality care.
Resource and Referral
Options for Learning’s Resource and Referral Department assists families, regardless of income, in locating licensed child care free of charge. Child care centers and family child care homes included in the network must meet health, safety, and educational standards set by the California Department of Social Services’ Community Care Licensing Department. For assistance with locating child care and/or community resources, please call our Intake Department at 626-699-8070.
Quality Start L.A.
Quality Start L.A. helps families understand what makes an early learning program effective and how to find the right program for their child.
My Child Care Plan
The My Child Care Plan website connects families to child care providers and Resource and Referral (R&R) agencies throughout California. The website offers a child care search tool for more than 32,000 licensed providers, as well as live support from local R&R agencies via a consumer education hotline and the website’s helpdesk. Learn more at mychildcareplan.org/.
Oliver's Law
Parents have the right to access information about any substantiated or inconclusive complaints about a child care provider. Information is accessible through the California Department of Social Services by calling 844-538-8766 or visiting www.ccld.dss.ca.gov/carefacilitysearch.
Complaint hotline
When you report suspected violations, you not only protect individuals in care facilities but also perform a service to your community. To file a complaint regarding a state-licensed community care facility or child care facility, contact Community Care Licensing Division of the California Department of Social Services at 844-538-8766 or www.cdss.ca.gov/.
CHILDREN'S DEVELOPMENT
PARENTING RESOURCES AND TIPS
EMPLOYMENT
EDUCATION
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
HEALTH AND WELLNESS
CHILD CARE OUTSIDE OF CALIFORNIA
