Topics
Choosing Child CareFamilies' RightsFamily & Community EngagementFinancial AssistanceLicensing & SafetyParenting & Child DevelopmentProvider ResourcesResource & ReferralSpecial Needs
License-Exempt Child Care Centers
Some child care programs do not need a license. If you want to care for children from only one family in addition to your own, you do not need a license. Some programs that serve groups of children, such as after-school programs, also do not need a license. However, these programs must follow certain rules.
Types of license-exempt child care centers:
- Public recreation programs for school-age children for under 16 hours per week, and for a total of 12 weeks for less;
- Public recreation programs for younger children for 12 hours per week or less and 12 weeks or less in duration;
- Public and private schools that operate a program before and/or after school for school-age children that is offered and operated by the school and run by qualified school staff;
- School parenting programs operated by a public school district or an organization under contract with a public school district;
- Programs offering temporary child care services to parents and guardians on the same premises as the child care program and the child care program is not a ski facility, shopping mall, or department store;
- Programs that provide instructional activities in a classroom setting for school-age children when school is not in session and for less than 15 days for younger children;
- Program that operates only one day per week for no more than four hours on that day;
- Program administered by the Department of Corrections meeting the requirements in Title 22;
- Centers on tribal, military, or school sites that offer child care services but are not licensed through Community Care Licensing.
The most common license-exempt school-age programs include:
- 21st Century Community Learning Centers
- After-School Education and Safety Programs (ASES)
- License-exempt Latch-key programs contracting with the California Department of Education on school sites
- Boys and Girls Clubs
- License-exempt YMCA programs
- License-exempt Park and Recreation programs
- License-exempt programs runs through the city/town
- Other license-exempt private, for- and non-profit fee based programs
Was this article helpful?
Let us know if you liked the post. That’s the only way we can improve.
Last updated on February 24, 2021
Similar Resources
Families' Rights
Families’ Rights in Choosing Child Care
In California, parents have the right to make the best child care choices for their family. Parents have many options:...Resource & Referral
Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies (CCR&Rs)
What is a CCR&R? Child care resource and referral agencies (CCR&Rs) serve families, child care providers and the...Licensing & Safety
Licensing and Monitoring for Child Care Facilities in California
Community Care Licensing Information The Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing (CCL) licenses and moni...
Create a list
If you need to make separate lists for different needs you can create those lists here. The item will be added to this new list once it is created.A name must be provided to create a list
