Licensing Check + Facility Search

In addition to referrals from local Resource and Referral programs, the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) provides a Facility Search function to help you locate and research licensed facilities. This function allows you to search for facilities by geographical area, producing a list that will provide you with addresses, maps and contact information. Due to privacy restrictions, Small and Large Family Child Care Homes’ addresses are not made available online, but may be requested from your local Resource and Referral program. The CDSS Facility Search function also allows you to research the licensing history of a facility. This includes inspection reports and provides information regarding whether or not a facility has been cited for health and safety violations. The Licensing inspection reports document violations along with the severity of the violation. Violations including those that would present an immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of children in care are cited as Type A violations, and violations that have the potential of becoming an immediate risk to the health, safety, or personal rights of the children in care, if not corrected, will be cited as Type B violations. To get details about violations or view the hard-copy case file of any facility, contact your local Child Care Regional Office. The regional office maintains facility files, including reports on substantiated and unsubstantiated violations documented by the Department.