Every licensed California daycare has a public inspection record. Most parents don't know it exists — and the state's official database is difficult to navigate. Here's how to check any daycare's safety record in under 60 seconds.
Why Inspection Records Matter
California's Community Care Licensing Division (CCLD) inspects every licensed daycare at least once a year. Each visit generates a public record that includes:
- What inspectors found — from minor paperwork issues to serious safety concerns
- How the daycare responded — their plan of correction and follow-up results
- The full history — every visit and citation going back years
This isn't opinion or reviews. It's the official government inspection record.
How to Look Up Any Daycare
Step 1: Search by Name
The fastest way to check a daycare is to search by name on ReadyRule. Type the daycare's name — you don't need a license number or address.
Why ReadyRule? California's official CCLD database requires navigating multiple pages and understanding licensing codes. ReadyRule pulls the same public data and presents it in plain English with context — like whether a citation is routine or serious.
Step 2: Review the Inspection Timeline
Once you find the facility, you'll see their complete inspection timeline:
- Annual inspections — routine visits that happen every year
- Complaint inspections — triggered when someone files a concern
- Follow-up visits — checking that previous issues were fixed
A daycare with mostly annual inspections and few complaint visits is a good sign.
Step 3: Understand the Citations
Citations fall into two categories:
- Type A citations — more serious violations that pose a risk to children's health or safety. These require immediate correction.
- Type B citations — less serious violations, often related to documentation or administrative requirements.
Not all citations are equal. A missing signature on a form (Type B) is very different from a supervision issue (Type A). Context matters.
Step 4: Look at the Big Picture
A single citation from years ago is very different from a pattern of repeated violations. When evaluating a daycare's record, consider:
- How many citations relative to how many inspections
- How recent the citations are
- Whether the same issues keep coming up
- How quickly the daycare corrected problems
A daycare with 20 inspections and 1 citation has a stronger record than one with 3 inspections and 0 citations — more inspections with clean results means more verified safety.
What to Look For: Red Flags vs. Routine
Red Flags
- Multiple Type A citations, especially for the same issue
- Supervision or ratio violations — children left unsupervised
- Background check failures — staff without proper clearances
- Complaint-triggered inspections resulting in citations
- Citations that took months to correct
Usually Routine
- A single Type B citation for a missing posting or expired document
- Administrative paperwork issues that were corrected quickly
- A citation from several years ago with no repeat issues
What If You Can't Find a Daycare?
If a daycare doesn't appear in search results, it may be:
- Unlicensed — operating without a state license (a serious concern)
- License-exempt — some programs like school-age care may be exempt
- Recently opened — new facilities may take time to appear in records
If your daycare isn't in the system, ask them directly for their license number. Every licensed facility is required to display their license.
Check Your Daycare Now
Ready to look up your daycare's inspection record? Search by name on ReadyRule — it takes less than 60 seconds.
If you're currently choosing between daycares, check all of them. Comparing inspection records side by side gives you objective data beyond tours and first impressions.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often are California daycares inspected?
CCLD inspects every licensed facility at least once per year (annual inspection). Additional visits happen if complaints are filed or previous citations need follow-up.
Are daycare inspection records public?
Yes. All California daycare inspection records are public information maintained by CCLD. ReadyRule makes this data searchable by facility name with plain-English explanations.
What's the difference between Type A and Type B citations?
Type A citations are more serious — they involve conditions that could endanger children's health or safety. Type B citations are less serious, often involving documentation or administrative requirements. Read our complete guide to citation types.
Can I see how a daycare fixed a citation?
Yes. Each citation includes a "Plan of Correction" where the daycare explains how they'll fix the issue, plus follow-up visit results showing whether the fix was verified.