Becoming a Licensed Family Child Care Provider ~ A Step-by-Step Guide

1. To become a licensed provider you must first be at least 18 years of age.
2. You must become familiar with all Child Care Home Licensing Requirements/Title 22. To read a short summary of these requirements, click Family Child Care Home Regulation/Highlights.
3. You will need to attend a Family Child Care Licensing Orientation. Orientations are held quarterly in SNCS’ Grass Valley office. Call (530) 272-8866 ext. 221 for scheduled dates and times and to reserve a space. Also, you should contact Community Care Licensing (CCL) at (916) 229-4530 before attending an orientation. They will instruct you to send a personal check, cashier’s check or money order for $25 payable to CDSS at the following address: River City Regional Child Care Office, 8745 Folsom Boulevard, Suite 200, Sacramento, CA 95826. Once payment is received, CCL will issue you a receipt that will serve as your entry ticket into the orientation.
   
   *Prior to attending an orientation, you must download/print the Family Child Care Home Regulation/Highlights and all the forms contained in the Family Child Care Home Licensing (LIC279A) Application and Instruction Packet.
4. Complete the application and forms and mail the completed packet to the River City Regional Child Care Office along with:
   • A $60 check for small family child care or $115 for large family child care.
   • Proof that you completed an orientation.
   • A negative TB test (current within one year) for all adults living in your home. Click TB Testing Locations for information on where to have a TB test done.
   • Proof of completion or enrollment in Preventative Health Practices training.
   • Proof of child care experience (if applying for a Large Family Child Care Home license).
   • Copies of TB clearances for all adults (anyone 18 years of age or older) living in the home. Click TB Testing Locations for information on where to have a TB test done.
5. Upon receipt of your completed application, licensing will send you fingerprint cards and Child Abuse Index Check forms along with instructions on how to complete and where to send the forms. Visit the Nevada County Sherriff’s Department or if in Grass Valley for locations that provide finger printing/LIVESCAN services. Do not schedule a LIVESCAN appointment until you receive a facility number from the licensing office. You must include the facility number on all the LIVESCAN forms.
6. While the Department of Justice is processing your fingerprints, etc., CCL will call and schedule an appointment to visit your home to make sure you can provide a safe environment for children.

Pre-Licensing Readiness Guide LIC927

1. You must complete the pediatric CPR/First Aid and Preventative Health Practice training from an approved trainer before a permanent license can be issued (total of 15 hours of training).
   
   List of Local Approved Trainers (Coming Soon)
   
   
2. If you are planning on opening up a large Family Child Care Home (up to 14 children), you are required to have consent from your landlord if you do not own the home.
   • You must also have at least one year of experience either as a licensed Small Family Child Care Home Provider or as an administrator, director or teacher at a licensed Child Care Center.
   • Make sure that you meet all requirements of the city, county, and or local ordinances if applicable.
     
     Form LIC9149
     
     *Form LIC9149, as well as a number of other forms, must be maintained at your home so that your licensing Program Analyst can discuss them with you during your home visit. Do not send these forms to CCL.
     
     Download a list of forms/records to keep in your Family Child Care Home.