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

• Milestones in Action

Parenting resources and tips

• Child Safety Tips
• LA County Public Libraries
• LA County Child Support Services
• First 5 LA parenting resources

Employment

• Employment Development Department

Education

• Office of Head Start
• California Department of Education
• HighScope Curriculum
• LA County Library
• Sesame Street in Communities

Financial assistance

• Medi-Cal, CalFresh or CalWORKs
• Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC)

Health and wellness

• L.A. County Department of Mental Health
• WIC (food and nutrition clinic locations)
• Immunization Schedules (CDC)

Child care outside of California

• Child Care Aware (locate child care nationwide)