Frequently Asked Questions

All facility data on California Daycares is sourced from the Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) of the California Department of Social Services (CDSS). We compile and present this publicly available data to make it easier for parents to research licensed childcare facilities.

No. California Daycares is an independent, third-party website. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to the California Department of Social Services (CDSS), the Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD), or the State of California in any way. We simply present publicly available licensing data in a more accessible format.

Please visit the official Community Care Licensing website operated by the California Department of Social Services.

The State is processing an application for licensure, but the facility is not yet licensed.

The State has filed a legal action to revoke the facility's license. This action may be appealed and may result in a revocation, probation, or it may be dismissed by a judge. The facility may remain open during this process.

The State has closed the facility due to an imminent risk of harm. This action may be appealed, but the facility will remain closed until a judge makes a final decision.

Probation is the period of time that a facility is required to comply with specific terms and conditions in order to prevent the revocation of the facility's license. If the licensee complies with the terms and conditions during this period, the probation is lifted. To understand the reasons for probation and the terms and conditions applicable to the facility, we suggest you communicate with the licensee and/or your local Child Care Licensing Regional Office.

In some circumstances, the exact first license date may not be available in CDSS records. For more information, please contact the State Licensing Office.

It is for the most serious type of violations in which there is an immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of those in care. Examples may include lack of care or supervision, access to open bodies of water, lack of a fire clearance for the building, and access to dangerous chemicals. Citations for these violations will always be issued even if the violation is corrected on the spot.

A Type B citation is for a violation that, if not corrected, may become an immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of clients. Examples include faulty medical record keeping and lack of adequate staff training.

The Facility Evaluation Report is an inspection report completed by the Licensing Program Analyst (LPA). Information included on the form includes, but is not limited to: the type of visit, whether the visit is announced or unannounced, who the LPA met with, date and time of the visit, and a narrative.

The Complaint Investigation Report is an official report completed by a Licensing Program Analyst to document allegation(s) received, and includes the date the complaint was received, the investigation findings, and outcome.

There is no difference between an inconclusive and an unsubstantiated complaint allegation. Both terms mean that there was no preponderance of evidence to prove that an alleged violation occurred.

The facility score starts at 100 points. Every complaint filed against a facility deducts 2 points, substantiated complaints deduct an additional 5 points, Type B citations deduct 5 points, and Type A citations deduct 10 points. All penalties are time-weighted: events from the last year count at full weight, 1–3 years at half weight, 3–5 years at quarter weight, and events older than 5 years are excluded. Complaints are weighted by their individual dates. Citation penalties are weighted based on the recency profile of the facility's inspection and complaint investigation reports.

Excellent (90–100): No or very few issues on record. Good (70–89): Minor issues that do not indicate a pattern of concern. Fair (50–69): Multiple issues worth reviewing before making a decision. Needs Review (0–49): Significant history of citations or complaints — research carefully and consider contacting the facility or the CCLD regional office.

Every complaint deducts a small amount (2 points) regardless of the outcome. Complaint-triggered inspections are unannounced, meaning the facility cannot prepare in advance. Even if the specific allegation is not substantiated, the complaint reflects a concern raised by a parent, staff member, or community member.

The CCLD updates their data weekly. We periodically sync our database with the latest information from the CCLD to keep facility records as current as possible.

The CCLD maintains reports for the most recent 60 months (5 years). All reports beyond 60 months are maintained at the facility and the local State Licensing Regional Office.