California Launch Guide

How to Start a Daycare in California (2026)

Last updated: June 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Opening a licensed daycare in California means applying to the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division, clearing fingerprint-based background checks, meeting facility and staff-to-child ratio rules, and passing a licensing inspection. This guide walks the process end to end, grounded in California's licensing statutes.

California Daycare Licensing: Fees & Key Numbers

The statute-cited figures that shape your California launch budget and timeline.

Application fee
The original application fee is $73 for a small family child care home (capacity 1-8) and $140 for a large family child care home (capacity 9-14); child care centers pay by capacity tier, ranging from $484 (1-30) and $968 (31-60) up to $2,420 (121+), per Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1596.803.
Annual renewal fee
An annual fee is charged on each license anniversary date: family child care homes pay the same as the application fee ($73 small / $140 large), while child care centers pay roughly half the application fee (e.g., $242 for 1-30, $484 for 31-60, capped at $1,210 for 121+), per Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1596.803; a one-time orientation fee of $25 (family child care home) or $50 (child care center) per attendee also applies.
Pre-service training
At least 15 hours of health and safety training, including pediatric first aid and pediatric CPR plus a one-time preventive health practices course (and, for licenses issued after January 1, 2016, one additional hour of childhood nutrition training), is required as a condition of licensure for the family day care home licensee or for at least one director or teacher at each child care center, with first aid/CPR administered through approved providers (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1596.866); California otherwise sets staff qualifications by college semester units (teachers 12 ECE units, directors 15 units of which 3 are in administration/staff relations) under Cal. Code Regs. tit. 22 §§ 101216.1, 101215.1 rather than orientation clock hours.
Annual training
California does not set a fixed annual continuing-education clock-hour requirement for child care staff or family child care providers; the only recurring training obligation is keeping required certifications current at all times, namely pediatric first aid and pediatric CPR (and, effective January 1, 2026, anaphylaxis and epinephrine auto-injector training) (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1596.866).
License-exempt threshold
A license is not required for a family childcare home providing care for the children of only one family in addition to the operator's own children, and a parent cooperative is exempt only if parents rotate as the responsible caregiver, each caregiver is a relative (parent, guardian, stepparent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or adult sibling) of at least one child, no money or in-kind income is exchanged for care, and no more than 12 children are receiving care in the same place at the same time (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1596.792).
Family child care capacity
A small family child care home may care for up to 6 children (no more than 3 of whom may be infants), expandable to 8 children only if no more than 2 are infants and at least one child is enrolled in/attending kindergarten or elementary school plus a second child is at least 6 years old (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1597.44); a large family child care home may care for up to 12 children (no more than 4 infants) with an assistant provider present, and up to 14 children (no more than 3 infants when over 12) when the school-age conditions are met (Cal. Health & Safety Code §§ 1597.465, 1597.44).
Indoor square footage
Child care centers must provide at least 35 square feet of indoor activity space per child based on total licensed capacity (excluding bathrooms, halls, offices, isolation, food-preparation, and storage areas), and at least 75 square feet of outdoor activity space per child (Cal. Code Regs. tit. 22 §§ 101238.3, 101238.2).
Inspection schedule
Annual unannounced inspection; additional inspections following complaints

The 8 Steps to Open a Daycare in California

Follow these in order. Each step is grounded in California's childcare licensing rules.

  1. Research your state's rules

    Confirm whether your program needs a license in California. A license is not required for a family childcare home providing care for the children of only one family in addition to the operator's own children, and a parent cooperative is exempt only if parents rotate as the responsible caregiver, each caregiver is a relative (parent, guardian, stepparent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or adult sibling) of at least one child, no money or in-kind income is exchanged for care, and no more than 12 children are receiving care in the same place at the same time (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1596.792).

    Read the rule that defines license-exempt care before you do anything else — it determines whether you operate as a family child care home, a center, or an exempt arrangement.

  2. Complete pre-service training & CPR

    Finish the required pre-service training and certifications. At least 15 hours of health and safety training, including pediatric first aid and pediatric CPR plus a one-time preventive health practices course (and, for licenses issued after January 1, 2016, one additional hour of childhood nutrition training), is required as a condition of licensure for the family day care home licensee or for at least one director or teacher at each child care center, with first aid/CPR administered through approved providers (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1596.866); California otherwise sets staff qualifications by college semester units (teachers 12 ECE units, directors 15 units of which 3 are in administration/staff relations) under Cal. Code Regs. tit. 22 §§ 101216.1, 101215.1 rather than orientation clock hours.

    Plan for ongoing training too: California does not set a fixed annual continuing-education clock-hour requirement for child care staff or family child care providers; the only recurring training obligation is keeping required certifications current at all times, namely pediatric first aid and pediatric CPR (and, effective January 1, 2026, anaphylaxis and epinephrine auto-injector training) (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1596.866).

  3. Pass background checks

    Submit fingerprint-based background checks for yourself and every staff member, volunteer, and (where applicable) household member before anyone has unsupervised access to children.

    Background-check clearance often takes the longest of any single step — start it early so it doesn't gate your opening date.

  4. Prepare your facility

    Set up a space that meets California's facility standards. Child care centers must provide at least 35 square feet of indoor activity space per child based on total licensed capacity (excluding bathrooms, halls, offices, isolation, food-preparation, and storage areas), and at least 75 square feet of outdoor activity space per child (Cal. Code Regs. tit. 22 §§ 101238.3, 101238.2).

    Match your enrollment plan to capacity limits: A small family child care home may care for up to 6 children (no more than 3 of whom may be infants), expandable to 8 children only if no more than 2 are infants and at least one child is enrolled in/attending kindergarten or elementary school plus a second child is at least 6 years old (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1597.44); a large family child care home may care for up to 12 children (no more than 4 infants) with an assistant provider present, and up to 14 children (no more than 3 infants when over 12) when the school-age conditions are met (Cal. Health & Safety Code §§ 1597.465, 1597.44).

  5. Submit your license application & fee

    File your application with the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division and pay the licensing fee. The original application fee is $73 for a small family child care home (capacity 1-8) and $140 for a large family child care home (capacity 9-14); child care centers pay by capacity tier, ranging from $484 (1-30) and $968 (31-60) up to $2,420 (121+), per Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1596.803.

    Include your parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and operations manual — inspectors ask for these at the initial visit.

  6. Pass the licensing inspection

    Schedule and pass your pre-licensing inspection. Annual unannounced inspection; additional inspections following complaints

    The inspector checks ratios, square footage, sanitation, emergency preparedness, and your written policies against the regulations.

  7. Open your doors

    Once your license is issued, you can legally begin caring for children under California rules. Maintain the staff-to-child ratios at all times: Infant (0-24 months) 1:4, Toddler (24-36 months) 1:6, Preschool (3-5 years) 1:12, School Age (6+ years) 1:14

    Keep certifications current and your handbook updated — these are the items most often cited at renewal.

  8. Enroll families

    Use your compliant enrollment paperwork to bring in families. A complete, California-specific parent handbook signals professionalism and keeps you inspection-ready from day one.

    Required enrollment and admission forms must be signed before a child's first day — have them ready before you advertise open spots.

What You Need to Apply in California

California licensing requires these documents and forms at the initial application and inspection.

  • Enrollment/Admission Agreement (LIC 9224)
  • Personal Rights Form (LIC 613A)
  • Emergency Information and Physician Consent (LIC 627)
  • Physician Report (LIC 701)
  • Immunization Record
  • Medication Consent and Administration Record (LIC 9221)
  • Parent Acknowledgment of Policies

Staff-to-child ratios you must maintain

California requires these maximum staff-to-child ratios, enforced by the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division: Infant (0-24 months) 1:4, Toddler (24-36 months) 1:6, Preschool (3-5 years) 1:12, School Age (6+ years) 1:14.

Skip the 80-hour paperwork grind

Get your California licensing kit

The inspector asks for a parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and an operations manual — all California-specific. The TotReady Startup Bundle gives you every document you need to apply, ready to customize in about 30 minutes.

See the Startup Bundle →

One-time purchase · California-specific documents

Starting a Daycare in California: FAQs

Do I need a license to start a daycare in California?
A license is not required for a family childcare home providing care for the children of only one family in addition to the operator's own children, and a parent cooperative is exempt only if parents rotate as the responsible caregiver, each caregiver is a relative (parent, guardian, stepparent, grandparent, aunt, uncle, or adult sibling) of at least one child, no money or in-kind income is exchanged for care, and no more than 12 children are receiving care in the same place at the same time (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1596.792).
How much does it cost to get a daycare license in California?
The original application fee is $73 for a small family child care home (capacity 1-8) and $140 for a large family child care home (capacity 9-14); child care centers pay by capacity tier, ranging from $484 (1-30) and $968 (31-60) up to $2,420 (121+), per Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1596.803. Renewal: An annual fee is charged on each license anniversary date: family child care homes pay the same as the application fee ($73 small / $140 large), while child care centers pay roughly half the application fee (e.g., $242 for 1-30, $484 for 31-60, capped at $1,210 for 121+), per Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1596.803; a one-time orientation fee of $25 (family child care home) or $50 (child care center) per attendee also applies.
Who issues daycare licenses in California?
Childcare licensing in California is handled by the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division. You apply to this agency, pay the licensing fee, and schedule your inspection through them.
What training do I need before opening a daycare in California?
At least 15 hours of health and safety training, including pediatric first aid and pediatric CPR plus a one-time preventive health practices course (and, for licenses issued after January 1, 2016, one additional hour of childhood nutrition training), is required as a condition of licensure for the family day care home licensee or for at least one director or teacher at each child care center, with first aid/CPR administered through approved providers (Cal. Health & Safety Code § 1596.866); California otherwise sets staff qualifications by college semester units (teachers 12 ECE units, directors 15 units of which 3 are in administration/staff relations) under Cal. Code Regs. tit. 22 §§ 101216.1, 101215.1 rather than orientation clock hours.

Keep researching California

California Licensing Requirements

Full handbook sections, ratios, immunization rules, and penalties for California.

Read more →

How to Start a Daycare: Complete Guide

The cross-state playbook, from choosing a program type to opening day.

Read more →

License-Exemption Thresholds by State

Compare when a license is required across all 50 states.

Read more →

Licensing Fees by State

Application and renewal fee data for every state we track.

Read more →

Licensing rules change. The figures above are compiled from California statutes and agency materials and are provided for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the California Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division before applying. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal advice.