Choosing and verifying licensed child care
One practical handbook for checking a California license, reading the public record, preparing for a tour, and comparing providers with confidence.
General information for families, not medical, legal, or financial advice. See the Terms.
Start here
Use this book when you are comparing child care providers.
If you only have ten minutes:
You do not need to make a decision during the tour. Take notes, then review them when you have time to think.
Begin with the California license search
The California Department of Social Services publishes information about licensed child care facilities.
Open the official facility search
Ask each provider for the exact facility number. A small family child care home may be difficult to find through a broad location search, so the number is the most reliable starting point.
T.L.C. Footprints' facility number is 394501929.
Know what the record can tell you
Depending on the facility, the public record may show:
Open the reports and read the details. A number by itself does not explain what happened, whether safety was affected, how the concern was corrected, or whether the same issue happened again.
Know what the record cannot tell you
California notes that its online search contains a limited period of information and should not be the only basis for a decision. Contact the regional licensing office listed on the record if you need additional history or clarification.
A license also cannot tell you whether the environment feels warm, whether communication works for your family, or whether your child connects with the caregiver. Those questions require a visit and a direct conversation.
Bring a focused tour checklist
These questions reveal more than a long list of generic prompts:
Use the same core questions with every provider. Consistent questions make comparison much easier afterward.
Compare the setting, not only the label
A licensed family child care home and a licensed child care center can both provide excellent care. Focus on the experience your child would actually have.
Compare:
If possible, visit more than one type of setting. Notice how adults speak with children, how children move through the space, and whether the program's written policies match the conversation.
A simple decision check
Before enrolling, make sure you can answer yes to these questions:
When you are ready to see T.L.C. Footprints, request a tour. Careful questions are welcome.