Child care providers are important partners in the support of healthy child development. California requires licensure of certain child care providers, and the licensing requirements include regulations about various quality measures including nutritious food and active play.
As a part of its extensive work in the child care setting, The Public Health Law Center has reviewed the child care licensing laws to identify the how the setting is defined and regulated. The review also identifies the public health requirements for child care providers (nutrition, active play, screen time limitations, etc.).
This resource compares scientifically-based best practices with California’s child care licensing regulations on healthy eating, active play and screen time limits. To see this analysis in an interactive 50-state map, click here.
This resource identifies the child care licensing language that impacts screen time in child care settings.
This resource identifies the child care licensing language defining and exempting child care settings.
California State Regulations and Statues
California Child Care Regulations (current through May 2017)
- CA Child Care Center General Licensing Requirements Infant Care Centers
- CA Child Care Centers for Mildly Ill Children
- CA Family Child Care Homes
- CA Title 22, Div 12, Chap 1, Art 1-2 - Child Care Centers
- CA Title 22, Div 12, Chap 1, Art 3 - Child Care Centers
- CA Title 22, Div 12, Chap 1, Art 4-5 - Child Care Centers
- CA Title 22, Div 12, Chap 1, Art 6 - Child Care Centers
- CA Title 22, Div 12, Chap 1, Art 6 (Cont.) - Child Care Centers
- CA Title 22, Div 12, Chap 1, Art 7 - Child Care Centers
California Child Care Statutes (current through July 2016)
Child Care Highlighting Protocol
- Child Care Highlighting Protocol - The Public Health Law Center has reviewed the child care licensing regulations to identify how the setting is defined, how it is regulated, and who is exempt from regulation. The review also identifies public health requirements (nutrition, active play, screen time limitations, etc.), as well as other indicators, such as playground safety, equity and environmental contaminants. Licensing regulations were downloaded from state websites and highlighted.
California-Specific Research on Healthy Eating and Active Play
Research Brief: Infant Nutrition Practices in California Licensed Child Care Prior to New 2017 CACFP Nutrition Standards. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Nutrition Policy Institute. California Food Policy Advocates. Sarah Samuels Centers for Public Health Research & Evaluation. March 2019.
Research Brief: Child Nutrition Practices in California Licensed Child Care Prior to New 2017 CACFP Nutrition Standards. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Nutrition Policy Institute. California Food Policy Advocates. Sarah Samuels Centers for Public Health Research & Evaluation. March 2019.
Research Brief: Nutrition Standards for Family Child Care Homes: Evaluation Results from a 2017 Pilot Study of Nutrition Standards Training of 30 Family Child Care Home Providers in Three California Counties. UC Agriculture and Natural Resources Nutrition Policy Institute, California Food Policy Advocates, and UCSF California Childcare Health Program, December 2017.
Lee D, Gurzo K, Yoshida S, Vitale EH, Hecht K, Ritchie LD. Compliance with the New 2017 Child and Adult Care Food Program Standards for Infants and Children before Implementation. Child Obes. 2018 Sep;14(6):1.
Ritchie LD, Sharma S, Gildengorin G, Yoshida S, Braff-Guajardo E, Crawford P. Policy Improves What Beverages Are Served to Young Children in Childcare. J Acad Nutr Diet. 2015 May; 115(5):724-30.
Ritchie LD, Yoshida S, Sharma S, Patel A, Vitale EH, Hecht K. Drinking Water in California Child Care Sites Before and After 2011-2012 Beverage Policy. Prev Chronic Dis. 2015 Jun 4; 12:E89.
Ritchie LD, Boyle M, Chandran K, Spector P, Whaley SE, James P, Samuels S, Hecht K, Crawford P. Participation in the child and adult care food program is associated with more nutritious foods and beverages in child care. Child Obes. 2012 June;8(3):224-9.