Licensing

What steps do you need to take now to ensure that your child care business is fully prepared to meet state and local licensing requirements?

The Licensing Section supports Orange County’s future, current, and expanding child care providers by outlining the essential steps, responsibilities, and regulatory requirements for obtaining and maintaining a child care license in California. Whether you are opening a new Family Child Care (FCC) Home or Child Care Center, adding new age groups, or adjusting your existing operations, understanding these requirements early in the process is key to preventing delays and ensuring your business starts strong and stays compliant.

All guidance in this section aligns with the Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD), helping you to know what must be done and when to move forward confidently. You will find clear directions on how to navigate CCLD’s website and tools, stay current with regulation updates, and work effectively with Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) and the Child Care Advocate Program. Additionally, support is included that helps you plan for facility needs, staffing standards, and safety requirements that protect children and provide a secure setting for learning and care.

Both the Family Child Care (FCC) and Child Care Center subsections offer a comprehensive roadmap to the application process and ongoing compliance expectations for licensed child care businesses in Orange County. With this knowledge, providers are better equipped to create safe, high-quality environments and sustainable operations that meet the needs of children and families in our community both today and in the future.