Centers provide care in a large group situation. Children are usually grouped by age or developmental level. A variety of experiences and activities can be offered because of the number and diversity of the staff. Licensing standards do not ensure that centers offer the types of services most suitable for your child.  

Child care centers are licensed by the State Department of Social Services, (510) 622-2602.

Licensing requirements include:

• Fingerprint and TB clearance of staff

• Fire and safety standards for the facility  

• Prohibition of all physical and humiliating punishment

• Training requirements for staff

• The right of parents to visit the child care site anytime during its business hours

• For each adult: a maximum of 4 children under the age of two years,   or a maximum of 6 children, 18 –30 months

• A maximum of 12 children, 2 -5 years

• A maximum of 14 school-age children  

• Specific curriculum and activities

• Special services such as transportation, gymnastics, swimming lessons, etc.  

• Hours of service offered

• Fees  

FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES  

Family child care homes provide care of children in the caregiver's home. This 
type of care offers a home-like atmosphere and may include children of several ages. Children take part in a variety of experiences and activities as well as family routines. While not required, many family home providers take classes in early childhood education. Licensing standards do not ensure that a family child care home offers the types of services most suitable for your child. Family child care homes are licensed by the State Department of Social Services, (510) 622-2602.  
 

• Fingerprint and TB clearance of all adults requirements include  

• Fire and safety standards for the house

• Prohibition of all physical and humiliating punishment  

• The right of parents to visit the home  

• Guns and ammunition locked up  

• Small Home License: 6 children with no more than 3 under two years old, or only 4 children all under age two.  

• Large Home License: 12 children with no more than 4 under age two with an aide present for 7 or more children.  

• See Addenda Insert: license for 8 and 14 children  

• Specific curriculum and activities  

• Special services to be offered such as transportation, swimming and gymnastics  

• Fees and hours of service offered  

• An adult who understands the needs of young children  

• Attention to individual needs of each child  

• Opportunities to exchange information about your child with the provider  

• Encouragement of parental visits  

• Respect for ethnic and cultural differences  

• Opportunities to meet and share experiences with other parents  

• A written agreement describing services, fees and policies  

• Respect for ethnic and cultural differences  

UNREGULATED CARE 

Care in the child's own home (in-home) and care of children from only one family in the caregiver's home (exempt) are not covered by State licensing regulations. There are NO fingerprint and TB clearances or adult/child ratio required. Trustline is available to secure clearances for a fee 

Care in the child's home is an agreement between the family (the employer) and the caregiver (the employee). 

Care of children from one family in the caregiver’s home is a service offered by the caregiver. The parents are purchasers of the service, not employers.
 

• There are NO licensing requirements for In-Home and Exempt Care
  
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• A physical examination and TB clearance  

• References  

• CPR and First Aid  

• Smoke-free environment  

• Trustline clearance

• Hours of service  

• Special services needed  

• Salary  

• Pay minimum wage and appropriate taxes

• File employer’s tax forms  

• An experienced adult who understands the needs of young children

• Attention to each child's needs  

• To share in determining your children's program

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• Small Home License may have up to 8 children if at least 2 of the children are six years or older and no more than 2 children are under the age of two whenever 7 or 8 children are present.  

• Large Home License may have up to 14 children if at least 2 of the children are six years or older and no more than 3 children are under the age of two whenever 13 or 14 children are present. An aide must be present if there are 7 or 8 children and 3 of them are under two years or whenever there are 9 or more children.  

• Parents must be notified in writing that the provider is caring for 2 additional children.  

• Anyone seeking child care has the right to access any public file
  pertaining to the facility. After you have narrowed your choice to 2 or 3
  potential sites, call Community Care Licensing at: 510-622-2614 to ask 
  about the facilities' complaint records. 

• Child care facilities are also required to make records of visits from 
  Licensing, including complaint investigations, av1flilable to parents. If a 
  family child care home or center has a substantiated complaint on it's 
  record, talk to the provider or center director about the complaint. It
  may have been the result of misunderstanding of licensing regulations
  and will not happen again. 

• Respect your child care provider: be on time to pick up your child; pay 
  tuition on time; value your provider’s opinions and expert.  

• Visit the child care setting at various times of the day.  A lunch visit can be fun for your child and let you experience a very t time of the day.  

• Take time to let your caregiver know about your child.  Information about family trips, visitors, illness, changes in schedule can help your provider better meet your child’s needs.  

• Get to know the other families using your provider. Their children are a 
  part of your child’s everyday experiences.  

• Tell your caregiver what you like about the program and arrange time to discuss anything that is bothering you.  

• Respect the parents: give clear written and verbal information about your program; be understanding of their individual work/family problems; value their opinion. They know their own children better than anyone else.  

• Encourage parents to visit at various times of the day. Show off the quality care you offer.  

• Take time to let parents know about their children’s accomplishments and share information about daily happenings.  

• Make opportunities for families to get to know one another, Have parent meetings and parties, serve a snack one evening a month so parents can stay and meet one another. Invite parents to help on field trips.  

• Let parents know how much you appreciate them and their children and arrange time to discuss any problems as they arise.  

Share information about your child, your philosophy and concerns during phone and personal interviews. Providers will be interviewing you, as you interview them. Do not hesitate talk about any concerns you have. Ask for references and check 1  

• When a (my) child is crying, I usually…  

• I think the best way to discipline a child is to…

• Each day I think parents (providers) should tell me about…  
  
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