Thinking about opening a Family Child Care Center? See below for frequently asked questions and a step-by-step guide for how to apply for the necessary licenses.
- What is a child care center?
A child care center - sometimes called day care center, nursery school, or preschool - provides care for infant/toddler, preschool, and/or school-age children for periods of less than 24 hours. The ages that a center is able to serve depends on facility and staff licenses. Care is usually provided in a group setting, with rooms of children of like ages. The facility is often located in commercial space and can be operated by a non-profit, school district, or independent organization.
- What are the staffing ratios for a child care center?
Staffing ratios for a child care center vary based on the age of the children and the qualifications of the staff. The Department of Social Services has developed a capacity regulations guide that provides insight into staff to child ratios based on age, staff education, and activity (ie. napping vs other).
- What are the education requirements for child care center staff?
Staff qualifications vary based on staff level (director, teacher, or aide) and the age of children with whom staff work (infants, toddler, school age). Staff qualifications are laid out by the Department of Social Services in their child care licensing staff qualifications guide.
- How do I start a child care center?
To open a child care center, you will need to get a child care center license, secure an appropriate location, and identify a qualified center director.
Below is an overview of the process with helpful links included. Specialists at your local resource and referral agency can also walk you through the process in more detail.
1. Attend two orientation sessions. There is a one-time fee of $50 to attend both sessions.
- Application Online Orientation (registration link)
- Operations and Recordkeeping Orientation (registration link)
2. Obtain an application packet from your Licensing Program Analyst (LPA).
- At the orientation you will receive a questionnaire to complete and return to the Department of Social Services. You may need to complete additional steps below before you are ready to complete the questionnaire. An LPA will review your questionnaire and mail you an application packet based on the information you provided. This can take 3-4 weeks.
- You do not need to have identified a location or a qualified director to attend the orientation, but you will need that information to complete the questionnaire.
3. Identify a location for your program.
- Identify whether your business will be located in a zone that allows child care centers by right, or one that requires you to obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP). A CUP is a zoning permit that requires approval from the city where the property is located and helps cities make sure that the use of the property is compatible with surrounding residential, commercial, or other land uses.
- A child care provider can find out the zone of their selected child care center site by typing the address of the site into the search screen on ZIMAS.
4. Identify a qualified director. This can be done at the same time as you are obtaining a conditional use permit or building permit.
- To obtain an application packet, you will need to provide the director’s transcripts, course descriptions, and written verification of experience to demonstrate that they meet director qualifications.
5. Obtain a Conditional Use Permit (CUP), if applicable.
- Apply to the LA City Planning Department for a Conditional Use Permit.
- Please note, the process for obtaining a CUP can be expensive and lengthy. It is recommended that interested providers reach out for a free consultation with a City Planning specialist to understand the process and ensure they have all the correct documents for filing. To speak with a specialist on-demand, visit BuildLA, use your Angeleno account to login, and select “Virtual Queue” Monday through Friday during the hours of 9-11am.
6. Obtain any required building and mechanical, electrical, and plumbing (MEP) permits and a Certificate of Occupancy from the Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety (LADBS).
7. Obtain a Business Tax Registration Certificate (BTRC) from the City of Los Angeles, Office of Finance (this can be done at the same time as you are obtaining a conditional use permit or building permit).
- Gather the information you will need to register your business
- Apply for a BTRC in person, by email, or online. Once approved, you will be issued a temporary BTRC that you can print and display. A permanent certificate will be sent by mail within 4 weeks and should replace the temporary certificate.
8. Obtain a Fire Permit.
- Can be applied for through the City of Los Angeles, Office of Finance when obtaining a business tax registration certificate (above).
9. Submit a completed application packet for a child care center license (received after orientation), along with application fee, to the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD).
- Make a copy of all documents to keep in your personal records.
10. Obtain a Criminal Record Clearance.
- CCLD will send you all the information you need for completing your criminal record clearance after they have received your application packet and fees.
11. Obtain a fire clearance from the local Fire Marshall.
- CCLD will send the necessary paperwork to your local Fire Marshall, who will contact you to arrange an inspection appointment and collect the fees.
12. Pass the CCLD facility inspection.
- After reviewing your application, the LPA will make an appointment to visit your facility and grounds to ensure they meet health and safety standards. Additional visits will be scheduled if changes need to be made before you pass the inspection.
13. Get final approval from a Department of Public Social Services supervisor.
- The LPA will submit your completed application and other necessary paperwork to their supervisor for approval. Approval from the supervisor is needed for a license to be issued. Once issued, a provider can begin caring for children.
- How much will it cost me to become a licensed child care provider?
Government entities often charge fees to recover their costs for conducting business, including the regulation of child care facilities. The chart below illustrates the relevant government entities and their fees. Note that fees are subject to change - in some cases annually - and should be confirmed with CDSS (link for “application fee”).
State License Fees (As of January 2023)
Orientation Fee: $50 (for both sessions) (online sessions require a processing fee for each of the two sessions)
Licensing Application Fee: $484 - $2,420 (based on capacity)
City and County Fees
Zoning/Conditional Use Permit: Varies
Certificate of Occupancy: Varies
Facility Development Fees: Varies
Public Health License: $260 - $351 (depending on capacity)
Clearance Fees (As of January 2023)
Criminal Record Clearance: $97 per person (includes DOJ fee, FBI fee, DOJ Child Abuse Central Index fee, and LiveScan fee)
Tuberculosis Test and Results: Varies (typically $0- $25 per person)