Parent Resources

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Welcome!


This page is for parents and caregivers to learn about different child care settings as well as state and federally funded child care assistance.

Types of Child Care Settings


Licensed Family Child Care: Licensed family child care is care offered in a child care provider’s home. Families may choose family child care for their children because it is a home-based setting with smaller adult-to-child ratios. This type of care is licensed by the CDSS’s Child Care Licensing Division.

Child Care Center: Child care centers are facilities that operate in a commercial setting. These programs are also licensed by the state. Child care centers range in size and can be operated by community-based organizations, school districts, religious institutions, or private businesses. Families may choose center-based care because of the more structured, classroom-like environment, greater number of adults present in the facility, and the greater variety of equipment, supplies, and activities available.

If you select a licensed child care provider, we encourage you to visit the Child Care Licensing Facility Search Webpage. You can use this website to learn about a licensed provider’s facility inspection reports, violations, and inspection history. Another helpful resource is the Child Care Licensing Parent Resource Page.

Family Friend or Neighbor Care: Family, Friend, or Neighbor Care (also known as License-Exempt Child Care) is care provided in the child’s or child care provider’s home by a person who is a relative, friend, neighbor, or other license-exempt provider. This type of care is not required to be licensed by the State of California. Families who choose this type of care may know and trust the caregiver. Families may choose this type of care for linguistic or cultural reasons, or for flexibility in scheduling, and transportation reasons.

Parent Appeals


For regulations regarding parental appeal rights, see California Code of Regulations, Title 5 (5 CCR), Section 18118 et seq.

You have a right to appeal any changes that your agency makes to your child care subsidy. For information about your parental rights and the appeals process, please visit our Parent Appeals webpage or email CCDDappeals@dss.ca.gov.

For information about the appeals process, please email CCDDappeals@dss.ca.gov.

You can also file a complaint regarding a licensed child care facility or staff member by calling the Child Care Licensing Complaint hotline at:

1-844-LET US NO

1-844-538-8766

Please visit the Community Care Licensing Division Complaint Webpage for more information about the complaint process.

Additional Resources


Free parent resources created with state, federal and philanthropic dollars.

  • All About Young Children: Information for families on children’s early development, available in eight languages.
  • CAFirstFive Parent Resources: includes support for parenting during COVID-19, development milestones and resources about the importance of talking, reading and singing to your baby.
  • CalHope: COVID-19 emotional support hotline for all Californians – with culturally sensitive support sessions for Black, Asian and Pacific Islanders, Latino, LGBTQ+ individuals as well as Veterans, Parents and Caregivers and Young Adults
  • Drowning Prevention: resources compiled by the California Department of Developmental Services to educate the public about strategies to prevent drowning.
  • Milestone Tracker: A free application created by the CDC for tracking a child’s development in a fun and easy way.
  • MyChildCareplan.org Information on licensed child care providers that are currently open, including location, health and safety details, ages of children served, capacity, and hours of care.
  • Text4baby: a free app that helps you track your child’s doctor appointments and that also provides health and safety tips and learn how your baby is growing each week

Contact Us

Child Care and Development Division
744 P Street M.S. 9-8-360
Sacramento, CA 95814
Child Care and Development Division Contacts

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