An Administrator's Guide to California Private School Law

Chapter 21 – Child Care Centers/Preschools

Beginning January 1, 2021, DSS will begin issuing a single integrated license to serve infant, toddler, preschool, and school-age children with updated health and safety requirements. DSS will also develop guidelines for an optional toddler program for children 18 months to 3 years of age. Preschools will need to be in compliance with these updated licensing requirements and guidelines by January 1, 2024. 2684

LCW Practice Advisor

D. I SSUANCE O F A L ICENSE To obtain a license, applicants must be familiar with all relevant laws and child care licensing regulations set forth in Title 22. CCLD will conduct an initial, unannounced, site visit to inspect the facility within 30 days of receipt of all appropriate licensing application materials. 2685 CCLD will review and make a final determination within 60 days of the applicant’s submission of a complete application. 2686 CCLD will grant or deny the application for a license after the site visit and its determination that the facility is or is not in compliance with licensing standards. 2687 CCLD will issue a license upon its determination that all licensing requirements have been met. 2688 If CCLD needs longer than 60 days to make the determination, it will grant the facility a provisional license permitting the child care center to operate for a period of up to six months. CCLD may extend the provisional license for an additional six months, but a provisional license may not be issued for more than a total of 12 months. 2689 This provisional license, however, will only be granted if the applicant is in “substantial compliance” with applicable laws and regulations and has submitted a completed application. 2690 CCLD will continue its investigation during this provisional license period and will make a final determination on the application before the provisional license expires. 2691 CCLD has the option to refuse issuance of a provisional license due to life safety risks or the applicant’s lack of criminal clearances or failure to complete the application. 2692 CCLD will deny an application if the applicant is not in compliance with applicable laws and regulations. 2693 If CCLD denies an application, it will provide a written denial to the applicant which will include the reasons for the denial. 2694 The applicant has 15 days after CCLD mails the denial to present a written appeal to DSS. 2695 Preschools should be aware that if CCLD denies the license, the preschool may not operate pending the decision on an appeal. 2696 A penalty of $200 per day will be assessed for the operation of an unlicensed child care center. 2697 Upon issuance of a license, the applicant will need to pay the statutorily set annual licensing fee based on the capacity of the child care center. 2698 The annual licensing fee ranges from $242 to $1,210 a year based on the licensing capacity of the preschool. 2699 Except for provisional licenses, the child care center license remains in effect until it is forfeited or surrendered by the preschool, or suspended or revoked by DSS. 2700

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