How to start a daycare in California.

California Department of Social Services licenses child care centers in California. These are the steps, each with the state's own page.

Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 3, 2026.

  • 11,332

    Licensed center programs

    753,590 spots

  • 397

    New center programs

    In the last twelve months

  • 42

    Licensed spots per 100 children under 5

    Centers and home daycares

  • 2,052,185

    Children under 5

    The Census Bureau's estimate

Opening a child care center in California, step by step

  1. Take the two orientation sessions

    Attend two Child Care Center orientation sessions before you apply.

    Source: Child Care Center License Application Process

  2. Fill in the application booklet

    Complete and sign every form listed in LIC 281A, the center application booklet.

    Source: Child Care Center License Application Process

  3. Send in your application

    Mail or drop off your application packet at your local Child Care Regional Office.

    Source: Child Care Center License Application Process

  4. Finish background checks

    You, any adult living at the site and every caregiver must finish a background check first.

    Source: Child Care Center License Application Process

  5. Get a fire clearance

    Your local fire authority must clear the building. Your licensing analyst sends them the request.

    Source: Child Care Center License Application Process

  6. Pass the pre-licensing inspection

    The state inspects your center before it issues a license. It must meet every licensing rule.

    Source: Child Care Center License Application Process

  7. Get your license

    When the state approves your application, it mails you a signed license.

    Source: Child Care Center License Application Process

At a glance

Who licenses centers
California Department of Social Services, Child Care Licensing Program. Licenses child care centers and family child care homes in California.Source: How to Become Licensed
Required class
A two-part Child Care Center orientationSource: Child Care Center License Application Process
Application booklet
LIC 281ASource: Child Care Center License Application Process
Fire clearance
Required for every centerSource: Child Care Center License Application Process

Where California has the fewest licensed spots per child

Licensed spots per 100 children under 5, lowest first, among counties with 20 or more center programs.

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Questions, answered

How do I start a daycare in California?

The first step: Take the two orientation sessions. All 7 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.

Who licenses child care centers in California?

California Department of Social Services, Child Care Licensing Program. Licenses child care centers and family child care homes in California.

How many licensed daycares are in California?

11,332 licensed center programs and 14,921 large home daycares, as of November 3, 2026.

About this page

Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 3, 2026.

Every license count here comes from the state's license file, read November 3, 2026. Children under 5 are the Census Bureau's estimates.

This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.

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