Supporting California's Licensed Child Care Providers- Updated 10/02/2026
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ California’s 2026 budget legislation made several changes to training requirements for licensed child care providers. Here’s a quick breakdown of what applies now and what changes beginning October 1, 2027. Q: Did the state release guidance for the provider training requirements?A: Yes. PIN 26-11-CCP provides a summary and implementation information for recently chaptered Budget Trailer Bills relating to child care facilities, which were signed into law on June 29, 2026, and September 18, 2026. CDSS will also release additional guidance in the coming weeks. Q: Did the new state budget change provider training requirements?A: Yes. The final changes are contained in AB 190, the Early Care and Education budget trailer bill, which amended Health & Safety Code §1596.866. Importantly, the final budget rolled back some of the requirements originally enacted in June through AB 150—but only temporarily. Broader training requirements are scheduled to take effect October 1, 2027. Reference: AB 190, Sections 15–16; HSC §1596.866. Q: What Health & Safety Training is required now?A: Until October 1, 2027, at least one director or teacher at each child care center and each family child care home licensee who provides care must complete at least 15 hours of Health & Safety Training. The training includes:
Reference: AB 190, Section 15; HSC §1596.866(a). Q: What changes on October 1, 2027?A: Beginning October 1, 2027, the 15-hour Health & Safety Training requirement expands to:
Reference: AB 190, Section 16; HSC §1596.866(a). Q: What is the new 12-hour training requirement?A: Beginning October 1, 2027, the individuals listed above must also complete a minimum of 12 hours of continuing education every year. The annual training must address:
The training must be provided by qualified sources to be determined by CDSS. Q: Does the 12-hour annual training replace the 15-hour Health & Safety Training?A: No. These are two different requirements. The 15 hours are the Health & Safety Training requirement that includes pediatric First Aid, CPR and preventive health practices. Beginning October 1, 2027, the 12 hours are annual continuing education required in addition to the Health & Safety Training requirements. Q: Why did we hear different requirements earlier this year?A: Because the requirements changed during the budget process. AB 150, enacted in June 2026, established broader provider training requirements and would have started the annual 12-hour continuing education requirement earlier. The final budget trailer bill, AB 190, temporarily narrowed who is subject to the 15-hour Health & Safety Training requirement and moved implementation of the broader requirements and annual continuing education to October 1, 2027. ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Message to Licensed Family Child Care Providers- February 2, 2026 From Thriving Families California (TFC) Foundation Licensed family child care providers open their homes every day to care for children, support working families, and strengthen communities. Your home is both a place of care and a private residence—and you deserve clarity, respect, and protection in how that space is treated. Recently, we have heard from providers across California who are experiencing unannounced or unexpected visits by individuals who are not parents, guardians, or Community Care Licensing staff. These situations can feel confusing or unsettling, especially when it is unclear who has the legal authority to enter your home. TFC believes that providers should never be put in a position of uncertainty about their rights. Understanding who is legally permitted to enter a licensed family child care home—and under what circumstances—is essential to protecting:
The resources that follow are intended to support you, not burden you. They clearly explain what California law requires, what it does not require, and how oversight and transparency are already maintained within the licensed child care system.
Thriving Families California is committed to ensuring that providers have the information and tools they need to continue delivering high-quality care—without fear, confusion, or unnecessary disruption. _______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
LICENSED CHILD CARE PROVIDERS - KNOW YOUR RIGHTSKnow Your Rights! Training Recordings and ResourcesWith the interpretation option, recordings are audio only with no video. Please refer to the PPT to follow along with the recordings. English Version Recording (Audio Only) Spanish Version Recording (Audio Only) Resources Referenced During Presentation
Presenters: Ritu Mahajan, Directing Attorney-Community Development, Kourtney Kinchen, Keller Fellow and Sophia Wrench, Staff Attorney; Public Counsel Family child care providers open their homes to care for children, and that work is both deeply personal and highly regulated. While you are licensed to provide care, your home remains your private residence under California law. Licensing does not turn your home into a public building, and it does not remove your rights to privacy, safety, or due process. This workshop was designed to help you clearly understand:
We know that recent events—across the country and in our communities—have created fear and uncertainty, particularly for immigrant providers and mixed-status families. Let us be clear:
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Licensed Family Child Care Providers: Know Your Rights Family child care providers in California deliver licensed care in private homes and operate within a well-defined legal and regulatory framework. From time to time, individuals who are not parents, licensing staff, or authorized officials may request access to a provider’s home. This document explains what California law requires, what it does not require, and how oversight and transparency are maintained—so providers can respond confidently, lawfully, and in a way that protects children, families, and their own compliance. 1. Family Child Care Homes Are Private Residences Under California law, a licensed family child care home is a private residence that has been licensed to provide child care—not a public facility open to the general public. · California Health & Safety Code § 1596.78 (Family Child Care Home definition) Licensing does not convert a provider’s home into a public space. Providers retain the right to control access to their homes, subject only to specific legal requirements. 2. Who Has a Legal Right to Enter California law clearly identifies who may enter a licensed family child care home as part of oversight and care. Individuals who do have a legal right to enter · Community Care Licensing staff conducting inspections or investigations · Health & Safety Code § 1596.852 · Other authorized government officials (such as fire or health inspectors, law enforcement) acting within their official authority · Parents or legal guardians of enrolled children, during normal operating hours and for purposes related to their child’s care · Title 22, California Code of Regulations (CCR) § 102419 Individuals who do not have a legal right to enter California law does not require providers to admit: · Members of the public · Media, journalists, influencers, or content creators · Researchers, advocates, or third-party “investigators” · Any unknown individual without legal authorization There is no statute or regulation granting these individuals a right of entry into a family child care home. 3. How Oversight, Accountability, and Fraud Prevention Work Transparency and accountability in California’s family child care system are maintained through formal, enforceable oversight mechanisms, including: · Announced and unannounced licensing inspections · Complaint intake and investigations conducted by CCLD · Enforcement actions and corrective action requirements · Contract monitoring, attendance verification, and audits for publicly funded child care Oversight and fraud prevention occur through these established regulatory processes—not through unscheduled public or media access to private homes. · Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) – Family Child Care Homes: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/child-care-licensing · CCLD Complaint Hotline and Online Complaint Portal: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/ccld-complaint-hotline 4. Declining Unscheduled or Unauthorized Access Declining entry to an unknown or unauthorized individual: · Is consistent with California law · Does not limit transparency or accountability · Does not indicate secrecy, fraud, or noncompliance · Helps protect children from unknown strangers · Preserves due process for providers and families Public or media access to private homes is not a recognized oversight tool under California law. 5. Recording, Filming, and Privacy Even when access is otherwise permitted: · Recording or photographing inside a family child care home requires provider consent · Children may not be recorded or identified without parent or guardian authorization · Unauthorized recording may violate California privacy and consent laws Relevant authorities include: · California Constitution, Article I, § 1 (Right to Privacy) · California Penal Code § 632 (Confidential communications) California Department of Social Services (CDSS) · Best Practices for Maintaining a Safe and Secure Child Care Environment Questions or Concerns? If you have questions, experience pressure to allow unauthorized access, or want support understanding your rights, there are several resources available: · Child Care Providers United (CCPU) (888) 583-CCPU (2278) or mailto:[email protected] · Child Care Providers United (CCPU) Know your rights resource page · Your County Community Care Licensing: https://www.cdss.ca.gov/inforesources/community-care-licensing Protecting privacy is a legal obligation, not a discretionary choice.
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