Types of child care and educational programs

Licensed child care centers and licensed family child care homes meet health, safety, and program standards established by the California Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing, helping give families peace of mind while children learn, grow, and thrive in safe, nurturing environments.

Center-based care

• Licensed infant, preschool, and school-age child care centers*;
• Non-medical care and supervision for infants, toddlers, preschoolers,  and school-age children in group settings for less than 24 hours;
• Often located in commercial, church, or portable structures;
• License-exempt school-age centers located on school district sites.

Home-based care

• Family child care provided in a licensee’s own home;
• Non-medical care and supervision for 14 or fewer children in a home-like environment for less than 24 hours;
• Small family child care homes: care for eight or fewer children, with two of the children being kindergarten-age or above;
• Large family child care homes: care for 14 or fewer children, with two of the children being kindergarten-age or above; requires an assistant;
• Licensed homes and facilities must clearly post licenses stating the number and ages of children legally allowed on the premises at one time.

License-exempt home-based care

Note: The following are available but are not included in our referral database:

• In-home care: Friend, relative, or babysitter caring for a child in the child’s home on a full- or part-time basis. Families using this type of child care must meet labor law requirements.
• License-exempt care: This type of care is not legally required to hold a state license; 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.