Thinking about opening a Family Child Care in your home? See below for frequently asked questions and a step-by-step guide for how to apply for a license.
- What is a Family Child Care Home?
In a Family Child Care Home, providers offer care in their own home. Providers can care for up to fourteen children depending on the size of the home, the age of the children, the number of caregivers present, and their license. Home is defined as where a family child care provider resides and may include apartments, condos, townhomes, and single-family homes. Providers are able to care for children between the ages of 0-12. Family Child Care Homes are licensed by the State and can be small or large.
- What is a Small Family Child Care Home?
A small family child care home, also known as a small family day care home, provides care for eight or fewer children, including children under 10 years of age who live in the home, for periods of less than 24 hours per day. Click here for more details on the number and ages of children allowed in a small family child care home.
- What is a Large Family Child Care Home?
A large family child care home, also known as a large family day care home, provides care for nine to fourteen children, including children under the age of 10 who live in the home, for periods of less than 24 hours per day. Click here for more details on the number and ages of children allowed in a large family child care home.
- How do I know if my landlord allows me to use my home to provide child care services?
Family child care is considered a residential use of property and is allowed in all types of homes, including rental properties. Landlords are not allowed to prohibit providers from operating a family child care from their home. Landlords may also not refuse to rent to, discourage, evict, or charge extra rent only because the tenant plans to open or is already operating a family child care home.
However, providers are required to give landlords at least 30 days’ written notice before operating a family child care home using form LIC 9151. Additionally, if the provider intends to operate a small family child care home for 7 or 8 children or a large family child care home for 13 or 14 children, they must obtain their landlord’s permission to operate using form LIC 9149.
If providers have any issues with their landlord they can reach out to Child Care Law Center or Public Counsel for no cost public assistance.
- Do I need a business license to start a Family Child Care Home?
The city of LA does not require family child care providers, small or large, to obtain a business license or other type of zoning permit to use their homes to provide child care. The city also does not require family child care providers to pay any type of tax or fee for providing child care from their home.
- Ok, I’m ready to get started. How do I start a family child care home?
To begin providing child care services in your home, you will need to get a Family Child Care Home license from the State of California.
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. Please note, to get a Family Child Care license you must be 18 years of age or older.
1. Attend an orientation (online, live-virtual, or in-person). There is a one-time fee of $25.
2. Obtain a Tuberculosis (TB) test for any adult residing or having contact with children in the home.
- If you have received a normal test result within the last year, you may submit that result in lieu of obtaining a new test.
3. Complete 16 hours of California’s Emergency Medical Services Authority (EMSA) pediatric health & safety training (an approved list of training programs can be found here).
- You may submit an application with proof you have completed OR are enrolled in approved training courses.
4. Compile and submit a child care license application, with ALL of the forms below. Please complete all forms in ink and with original signatures (not typed). Make a copy of all forms you submit to keep in your personal records.
- Application for a Family Child Care Home License, LIC 279 (English, Spanish). This form will be returned to you if you fail to submit a complete application.
- Current Children in Your Home, LIC 279B (English, Spanish)
- Orientation certificate copy (proof you attended a full orientation session)
- Criminal Record Statements, LIC 508, for all adults living in the home (English, Spanish)
- Emergency Care and Disaster Plan, LIC 610A (English, Spanish)
- Applicant’s signed Statement Acknowledging Requirement to Report Suspected Child Abuse, LIC 9108 (English, Spanish)
- Facility Sketch, LIC 999A, of the home and outdoor space (English, Spanish)
- Proof of completion or enrollment in Preventive Health Practices trainings. May include a certificate of completion OR records that show you are enrolled in the mandatory courses
- Copies of TB clearances (not more than 1 year old) for all adults living in your home
- [Applicants for Large Family Child Care Only] Proof of child care experience
5. Submit the required fee with your application materials.
- Payment can be in the form of a check or money order made payable to the Department of Social Services. The application fee is nonrefundable.
6. Obtain a criminal record clearance for any adult residing or having contact with children in the home.
- Information about how to submit your fingerprints will be mailed to you after your application is received and accepted. DO NOT schedule a LiveScan appointment before receiving a facility number from the licensing office.
7. Provide your landlord (if you rent or lease) with at least 30 days’ written notice of your decision to open a Family Child Care Home using form LIC 9151 and obtain their permission to operate, as needed, using form LIC 9149.
- Providers are only required to complete form LIC 9149 if they plan to operate a small family child care home for 7 or 8 children or a large family child care home for 13 or 14 children.
8. Pass a pre-licensing home inspection.
- If you meet all application requirements, a Program Analyst will reach out to schedule a visit to ensure that your home meets the basic health and safety standards.
9. Once the state issues you a license, you may begin providing child care.
- How much will it cost me to open a Family Child Care in my home?
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: $25 (additional service charge for credit card payments)
Licensing Application Fee: $73 (small) $140 (large)
Clearance Fees (As of January 2023)
Criminal Record Clearance: $55 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)