Child care centers and Family child care homes in the state of California must be licensed by the Department of Social Services, Community Care Licensing Division.  The Child Care Licensing Program licenses and monitors Family Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers in an effort to ensure that children are provided a safe and healthy environment.
 

• You must be licensed if you care for children from more than one family and who are not related to you.
• You don't need a license if you care for your children (or those of a relative), and children from only one other family.

The regulations pertaining to the health and safety of children in care are contained in the California Code of Regulations, Title 22, Divisions 2, 6, and 12: State Licensing Regulations