First of all, congratulations on taking this exciting step! Trust us. We know how confusing state websites can be.

Hopefully, this guide will demystify some of the licensing requirements.

Whether you are a California teacher who wants to start your child care or are new to the child care field, this guide will work for you. 

As always, you can reach out to us at [email protected] for further assistance.

We help people in all 50 states to start and expand their child care businesses. 

1. Keep this guide close and check things off as you go ✅ 
2. Please make use of our library of resources for additional support
3. Join Wonderschool for additional community support

Step 1: FCC Orientation:

*Time Needed: 2 hours* 

• • Complete the online Family Child Care Orientation here ($27.43 fee required) 

After completing the Family Child Care Orientation, print a copy of your Certificate of Attendance and your Quiz Results.

• • Print a copy or take a screenshot of your Certificate of Attendance
  • Print a copy or take a screenshot of your Quiz Results

Step 2: Register For In-Person Or Online Classes

*Time Needed: 15 min*

These trainings are required for any person seeking a child care license in CA. A minimum of 16 total hours of training is required. 

Find local EMSA-approved classes here 

• • Register for 8-hour EMSA-approved Pediatric CPR & First Aid Training - EMSA approved list here.
  • Print a copy or take a screenshot of your Registration Confirmation (not your receipt) 
  • Register for 8-hour EMSA-approved Health, Safety, and Nutrition Training - EMSA approved list here. 
  • Print a copy or take a screenshot of your Registration Confirmation (not your receipt)

Step 3: Immunizations & Medical Records

*Time Needed: varies, but getting this step done early in the process sets you up for success!* 

• • Call your doctor to obtain these records and schedule an appointment to fill in any necessary gaps. 

For yourself and all adults living in your home:

• • Proof of a negative TB test from the past year

For yourself and anyone who will be at home when the children are there:

• • Proof of MMR (measles)
  • Proof of TDap (Pertussis / whooping cough)
  • Proof of flu shot from the past year 

Step 4: Mandated Reporter Training

*Time Needed: 8 hours*

• • Complete online Mandated Reporter training here 
  • Print a copy of your Certificate of Completion or take a screenshot of your Quiz Results 

Step 5: Licensing Forms

*Time Needed: 2 hours* 

• • You can find all the necessary licensing forms linked on page 2 here (Spanish version here).
  • If you prefer to fill it out with a pen, you can print out the forms linked on page 5 of this checklist.
  • Make sure to include the required supplemental information along with your application packet that you will mail to your licensing agency.
  • Decide on your hours of operation and the ages of kids you will care for. 
    • We recommend covering your bases because it is a hassle to change later.
    • For ages, we recommend 0-12, and for hours 7 am - 7 pm. One thing to consider is that whatever hours you put down means licensing will be able to make an unannounced visit during that window, so you'll need to be abiding by licensing rules during those hours. So while you want to cover your bases, you probably don't want to overestimate your hours either wildly.

• • Find out where the gas, electricity, and water shut-off points are for your house or apartment.  
    • Check your lease, ask your partner, call your landlord, do whatever recon you need to get this information.

Google search all of the emergency services in your area, including: 

• • Name & phone number of fire/paramedics service near your home
  • Phone number of the office of emergency services near your home
  • Phone number of a red cross location near your home
  • Phone number of an ambulance service near your home (not 911)
  • Name & phone number of a hospital near your home
  • Phone number of local police or sheriff
  • Phone number of your local child protective services office

• • Decide on your two emergency relocation spots 
    • Local schools, parks, and libraries are good options for these relocation spots. Look on the map and see what's in your vicinity.
    • Here is a helpful guide to filling out the Emergency Relocation Spots 

Step 6: Facility Sketch + House Documents

*Time Needed: 1.5 hours* 

• • Collect a copy of your lease or rental agreement (if you rent your home) or a copy of your deed (if you own your home) 

You can complete your Facility Sketch either by using the MagicPlan app or measuring tape!

MagicPlan Instructions: 

• • Download the MagicPlan app on your smartphone - this app will make the Facility Sketch work much easier for you: MagicPlan iOS  or MagicPlan Android
  • Create your floor plan using the MagicPlan app (see instructions for using MagicPlan below) 
    • Create a free account (or sign up for a free trial)
    • Click on "New Plan" and then "New Room."
    • Select "Scan with Camera" and pick which room you are measuring (ex., Living room)
    • Aim devise at your feet and move in a slow circular motion to calibrate
    • Aim the device at a corner of the room and click "add corner."
    • Repeatedly add corners of the room until you have finished the room and click "done."
    • You can now see the entire room's measurements
    • To add more rooms, click "exit room" and click "add room" in the bottom left-hand corner
    • Repeat steps above

• • Using the MagicPlan as a guide, draw your floor plan on the official LIC999A form 
    • LIC999A Form found here 
    • A Sample Facility Sketch can be found here

Measuring Tape Instructions:

• • Please see here directions on using a measuring tape to construct your Facility Sketch 

Step 7: Prepare Check and Envelope for Licensing Agency             

*Time Needed: 10 minutes*

• • Print out and place each form in the order specified in this document 
    • If you are missing any of the licensing forms, ask the Wonderschool team to send you the PDF of the licensing conditions you completed on Wonderschool's Setup Assistant 
  • Write out a check for $73 to the "CA Department of Social Services."
  • See application fees linked here.
  • Prepare an envelope with your local, regional office (search by county or zip code.

Step 8: Complete In-Person Licensing Visit

Your licensing analyst will reach out to schedule time to visit your program in person before granting your license.

Step 9: Success!

Pat yourself on the back, take a deep breath, and get some rest-- the real work is just beginning!

Start, Run, And Grow Your Child Care Business With Wonderschool

Join Wonderschool for support throughout the licensing process, setting up your environment, making critical business decisions, and running the day-to-day of your program. You don't have to do this alone!