Resources for Providers
Finding Children For Your Facility
Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (R&Rs) are located throughout the State and provide free help to parents and providers. To find out more, visit their website by clicking on the following link: Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (R&Rs). Contact your local R&R to inquire further about training and services that may be available.
Training and Educational Resources
The Child Care Videos for Providers and Parents found on The California Child Care Licensing: Resources for Parents and Providers website addresses three user groups: 1) child care center operators, 2) family child care providers, and 3) parents and families. Within each category, you will find topics tailored to the needs of that specific group. Each topic on the website contains videos and resources designed to benefit prospective and current child care providers, families who are seeking child care for the first time, and families with children in care.
Mandated Reporter Training provides an overview of the significant definitions, requirements and protections of the California Child Abuse & Neglect Reporting Act. You will learn:
- How the law defines child abuse and neglect
- What the law requires of you as a mandated reporter
- What protections the law provides for a mandated reporter
- How to spot evidence of child abuse
- How to report child abuse
- What happens after a report is filed
- Definitions of some of the terms used in this program
You will receive a Certificate for your records upon completion of the training. Beginning January 1, 2018, Health and Safety Code 1596.8662 requires all licensed providers, applicants, directors and employees to complete training as specified on their mandated reporter duties and to renew their training every two years. The following is a list of approved Alternate Mandated Reporter Trainings . All trainings on this list are approved statewide.
California Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) approves training programs for child care providers for Pediatric First Aid/CPR and Preventive Health Courses.
Family Child Care At Its Best funded by the Child Development Division of the California Department of Education, the Family Child Care at its Best program delivers university-based, continuing education to licensed and license-exempt providers. Offered statewide, this series of classes helps providers improve their knowledge, skills and quality of care. Options for both academic credit and continuing education units are available.
PediaLink Child Care Courses created by the American Academy of Pediatrics online learning center courses including:
- Reducing the Risk of SIDS in Early Education and Child Care: Participants of this free course will learn how to create a safe sleep environment to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep related deaths in child care.The Reducing the Risk of SIDS in Early Education and Child Care online module can be used by child care providers, healthcare professionals, public health educators, or just about anyone who cares for babies.
- Preventing and Managing Infectious Diseases in Early Education and Child Care: This course provides you with reliable national resources for guidance on preventing and managing infectious diseases and is designed for everyone who cares for children, including health care professionals and child care providers.
Zero to Three works to ensure that babies and toddlers benefit from the early connections that are critical to their well-being and development by providing training for child care providers and caregivers.
Child Care Aware Training Academy has online training programs which are used by providers and R&R staff across the United States, offering: Center-Based Training, Family Child Care Training, General Training and Webinars & Blended Learning.
Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (R&Rs)
Child Care Provider Associations
There is a broad network of child care provider associations that advocate for children and families and provide valuable resources and information to licensees of Family Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers.
- The California Association for Family Child Care (CAFCC) is one of many associations that have set up a cooperative link with the child care community. More information on CAFCC and a list of other family child care associations is available on their website.
- The Professional Association for Childhood Education (PACE) is a nonprofit, tax-exempt, and membership-based organization that promotes excellence in education and quality child care in private center-based programs.
- Californians for Quality Early Learning (CQEL) aims to advance early learning quality by supporting programs in integrating best practices and advocating for thriving mixed delivery systems for children and families.
- The California Association for the Education of Young Children (CAEYC) serves and acts on behalf of the needs and rights of young children with primary focus on the provision of educational services and resources to adults who work with and for children from birth through age eight.
- The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all children from birth through age 8.
- The California Alternative Payment Program Association (CAPPA) was created to serve as a voice for a mixed delivery system of public and private community based agencies dedicated to connecting poor families and their children to child care and early learning. CAPPA provides ongoing support services to child care programs and providers and access to information and connection to child nutrition programs, resource libraries, and continuing education opportunities.
- The National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC) is working to prioritize the role of family child care and promote access, affordability and quality of early care and education. NAFCC is the only professional association dedicated specifically to promoting high-quality early childhood experiences in the unique environment of family child care programs.
- EveryChild California is a nonprofit association that inspires leadership in early learning and education, and increase opportunities to expand quality publicly funded early care and education (ECE) programs across California.
- Child Care Providers United is a union comprised of 40,000 family child care providers across the state who are members of SEIU Local 99, SEIU Local 521, and UDW/AFSCME Local 3930. CCPU is dedicated to improving the child care profession and ensuring every child has access to quality early learning and care.
Financial Assistance
There are state and federal child care funding options available, as well as community resources that provide help in the facility development process for both new and established child care providers. Your local Child Care Resource & Referral Agency (R&R) or Child Care Advocate Program can tell you if you qualify. For more information, click on the links below:
Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (R&Rs)
California Department of Education
California Head Start Association
Legal Assistance
The Child Care Law Center uses legal tools to make high quality, affordable child care available to every child of every age, every family, and every community.
Public Counsel’s Early Care & Education Law Unit provides free legal assistance and low-cost legal workshops to qualifying family child care providers and child care centers on a variety of issues that providers face in the operation of their child care businesses.
Local Licensing Call
Child Care Program will host informational ZOOM meetings to provide guidance and resources regarding Coronavirus 19 (COVID-19), Cohort and CDPH guidance, in addition to information pertaining to resources related to the Department’s website. The purpose for these meetings will be to provide more information about topics related to the COVID-19 pandemic and to address important questions impacting Child Care providers.
Rights: Yours, Parents', and Children's
Children, parents and authorized representatives, and child care licensees all have rights in licensed child care facilities. Protecting these rights is an important part of the emotional and physical well-being of children in care. Everyone must be treated with dignity and respect and these rights must be protected according to State laws and regulations.
Applicant/Licensee's Rights:
Parents' Rights:
Children's Rights:
Early Start: Early Intervention Services for Infants and Toddlers
The Early Start program is California's early intervention program for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. Early Start services are available statewide and are provided in a coordinated family-centered system. Anyone can make a referral to Early Start by contacting a Regional Center.
For additional information, visit Early Start or call 1-800-515-BABY.
Other Child Care Related Resources and Information
Kids' Plates are the only DMV license plates that protect California's kids. Kids' Plates generate revenue to strengthen health and safety protections for children and help fund programs to reduce child injury and child abuse. The proceeds from their sale provide funding for local child safety programs throughout the state.
For more information on the Kids' Plates program, please e-mail info@kidsplates.org or call them at 1-800-HEY-KIDS.
To buy a license plate and support these programs, please visit www.kidsplates.org and click on "Order Personalized Plate".