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Providers

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The State of California has created a self-service portal for families to search programs according to specific criteria. We encourage you to claim your page at MyChildCarePlan.org’s Promote your Child Care Program so that you can advertise openings and keep your child care full! San Mateo County’s Resource and Referral Agency, the 4Cs of San Mateo County, is actively referring parents to use MyChildCarePlan.org rather than keeping vacancy information on its website.  

If you need help in claiming your page, reach out to 4C’s ECE Specialist at (650) 517-1446 or info@sanmateo4cs.org, or Amanda Anthony, 650-780-7204. 

Child Care Preview Events 

Child Care Preview Events are back! 4Cs of San Mateo County, Build Up San Mateo County, Redwood City Together, and Upward Scholars collaborated in March 2024 to bring back the annual child care preview night and pair it with a resource fair. Contact BuildUpSMC@sanmateo4cs.org to participate in the next one. 

Coming Up: Child Care Preview Event, Saturday, January 11, 2025, 10am-12pm. Click here for details.

For Aspiring Providers 

Community Care Licensing 

The first step to becoming a licensed provider is to attend an Orientation Meeting held by California Community Care Licensing (CCL) to get the application and learn about State regulations.  

Orientations are held at CCL Peninsula District office, 851 Traegar Ave., Suite 360, San Bruno 94066. Bring a photo I.D. with you. Call 650-266-8843 for information on how to register, especially for in-person orientations. All child care facilities (Family Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers) must pay an annual licensing fee. 

Community Care Licenses ensure that basic health and safety standards are met. For centers, licensing regulates staff qualifications and ratios, physical environment, program policies and other factors.  The Child Care Regulations (Title 22, Division 12) for both Child Care Centers and Family Child Care Homes are available on the website. A Facility Search feature, with files on all licensed facilities, is available too. 

Redwood City Planning 

With changes to the Redwood City Zoning Code adopted on March 22, 2021, Redwood City now:

  1. Allows large family care homes (up to 14 children) by right in all residential units consistent with State law (SB234, effective 1/1/20). 

  2. Allows child care centers by right in residential districts when paired with a public/quasi-public use (ex. school or church).

  3. Allows standalone child care centers in residential districts with a Use Permit, including conversions of residential structures.

  4. Allows child care centers in commercial and mixed-use areas by right for up to 60 children. A Use Permit would be required for child care centers with 61 or more children.

  5. Creates parking standards for child care centers. 

Resources for Providers

For additional resources, go here.