Types of child care
Types of child care in our referral database
Licensed child care centers and licensed family child care homes must meet health, safety, and educational standards set by the California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing.
Center-based care
- Infant, preschool and school-age child care centers*;
- Non-medical care and supervision to infants, toddlers, preschoolers and/or school-age children in a group setting for periods of less than 24 hours;
- Centers are often located in commercial, church or portable structures.
Home-based care
- Family child care provided in a licensee’s own home;
- Non-medical care and supervision to 14 or fewer children in a home-like environment for less than 24 hours;
- Small family child care homes provide care for eight or fewer children, with two of the children being kindergarten-age or above;
- Large family child care homes provide care for 14 or fewer children, with two of the children being kindergarten-age or above, and an assistant is required;
- Licensed homes and facilities MUST clearly post licenses; the license states the number and ages of children legally allowed on the premises at one time.
The following are available but are not in the referral database:
- In-home care: Friend, relative or babysitter caring for a child in the child’s home on a full-time or part-time basis. Important note: Families using this type of child care must meet labor law requirements.
- License-exempt care: Child care not legally required to hold a state license. This includes home-based care where caregivers care for one family’s child(ren) beside their own, in-home care (as noted above) and some school-age centers located on school district premises.
*Legally exempt child care centers are listed in our referral database.