Child Care Centers in the State of California, Essay Example

In the state of California, there are two types of licensed child care providers, both of which are controlled and regulated by the California Department of Social Services–1), family child care in the home; and 2), an actual child care center located in a commercial or privately-owned building (Child Care Licensing, 2007). For the county and city of San Diego, the main administrative office is located at 1130 10th Avenue, San Diego, California, 92101. The toll free phone number is 855-529-1684; the official website for this agency is http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/hhsa/programs/cs/child_care_administration (Child Care Administration, 2013).

In order to obtain a license for a child care center in a private home, one must first attend a series of orientations and pay a non-refundable fee; the state of California also advises that potential child care providers should determine their eligibility and qualifications before signing up for the orientation sessions. The requirements for obtaining a license for an official child care center are a bit more strict, especially if the provider intends to care for infants, toddlers, elementary school-aged children, and children who are mildly ill, both physically and mentally (Child Care Licensing, 2007). In San Diego County, the requirements and qualifications are the same as outlined by the official California Department of Social Services website (http://www.ccld.ca.gov/pg411.htm).

As to the qualifications that must be met before receiving a license from the state of California to operate a child care center in the County or city of San Diego, all applicants must comply with the key regulations as set out in Title 22, Division 12, Chapter 1 of the Manual of Policies and Procedures for Community Care Licensing. These regulations include 1), attending an orientation session which covers “the application process and the scope of child care center operations;” 2), conducting a criminal record review of “all persons working in a child care facility, including adults responsible for administration or supervision” of the staff” (if applicable); and 3), a Child Abuse Central Index review which is applicable to all employees and owners (California Child Care Center Licensing Regulation Highlights, 2007, pp. 1-2).

All child care center directors must be present on the premises of the center during the hours of operation and cannot be employed in an outside job that interferes with the operations of the center. They must also have a high school diploma or GED and at least 15 hours “at an accredited college in specified early childhood education classes” and must complete 15 hours of health and safety training (California Child Care Center Licensing Regulation Highlights, 2007, p. 4). As to teachers, they are required to have passed and completed “at least six post-secondary semester units of specified early childhood education classes, have a valid permit issued by the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing,” and complete 15 hours of health and safety training (California Child Care Center Licensing Regulation Highlights, 2007, p. 4-5). With assistants, they must be at least eighteen years old with a high school diploma or “currently participating in an occupational program.” Assistants can only work “under the direct supervision of a teacher,” except when helping a child to use the bathroom or during nap times (California Child Care Center Licensing Regulation Highlights, 2007, p. 5).

For a child care center located in a private home, the physical space must be large enough to comfortably accommodate the number of children present. It must be clean, safe, sanitary, and in good repair in order to help prevent injuries. If the home has a swimming pool, the day care owner must make sure that the area is inaccessible to all of the children. Also, each child must have at least 75 square feet of outdoor space for activities with a shaded rest area; the ground must also be in a safe condition and free of hazards that could cause injuries (California Child Care Center Licensing Regulation Highlights, 2007, p. 9). As to meals, food selection and storage preparation and service must be healthful and safe and of good quality. In addition, the license issued for operating a care center specifies the maximum number of children and their ages, based on fire clearance or the availability of escape routes in the home. These requirements are also mandated for day care centers in commercial buildings which must have adequate storage facilities, windows and doors in proper working order, and a bathroom for every 15 children (California Child Care Center Licensing Regulation Highlights, 2007, pp. 2-8).

References

California child care center licensing regulation highlights. (2007). Retrieved from http://www.ccld.ca.gov/res/pdf/CCCRegulationHighlights.pdf

Child care administration. (2013). County of San Diego. Retrieved from http://www.sdcounty.ca.gov/hhsa/programs/cs/child_care_administration

Child care licensing. (2007). California Department of Social Services. Retrieved from http://www.ccld.ca.gov/pg411.htm

Steingold, D.M. (2013). Starting a child care business in California. Retrieved from http://www.nolo.com/legal-encyclopedia/starting-child-care-business-california.html