Violation

California Code § 101215.1(b)Director Requirement

How CCLD inspectors cite this regulation, what providers do to stay clear of it, and where it appears in the public record.

Type B, generalAffects Child Care Centers3 facilities cited in the last 90 days

Educational reference based on public CCLD inspection records. Not legal or compliance advice. Verify requirements with official sources. Full disclaimer

Regulation text

What California Code § 101215.1(b) actually says

California Code § 101215.1(b)

Each combination center and each single license center shall have at least one director.

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

Inspectors verify director presence during unannounced visits, and they note the time they arrive. If your director is offsite at training, on vacation, or called in sick with no qualified replacement, that's a write-up. The key detail most providers miss: CCLD expects a qualified director to be physically present or immediately available during all hours of operation. Post your director's schedule where staff can see it, and designate a backup who meets director qualifications for days the primary director is out.

By the numbers

3^*CCLD: facilities cited in the last 90 days
3^*CCLD: counties where this citation appeared
80^*CCLD: rank among most-common citations
Trajectory: Fewer citations than the prior period
3 facilities; Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days.

3 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days. See if yours is one of them.

Check a facility

Regional record

Where this citation appeared in the past 90 days

Citation counts and rates by California county, drawn from CCLD inspection records. Click a county to see its recent inspection activity.

Regional citations for Director Requirement, last 90 days
County	Citations	Facilities	Citation rate
Santa Clara	1	--	--
Contra Costa	1	--	--
San Bernardino	1	--	--

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citations2026-07-13Updated weekly

Articles about this topic

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.

What is the Director Requirement?

California Code Section 101215.1(b) requires every combination center and single-license child care center to have at least one qualified director. The director must hold the required credentials, including 12 semester units in administration, and be physically present or immediately available during all hours of operation. For your facility, this means you need a backup plan for every day your director is out sick, at training, or on vacation.

How common is this citation?

According to California CCLD inspection records as of March 15, 2026, 6 facilities have been cited for this violation in the past 90 days across 5 California counties. That's roughly 1 in 6,667 inspected facilities. San Mateo County leads with 2 citations, followed by Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego, and San Francisco with 1 each. Because inspectors verify director presence during unannounced visits, facilities without coverage plans are especially vulnerable.

What triggers this citation during an inspection?

Inspectors note the time they arrive and ask to speak with the director. Based on CCLD inspection patterns, they cite the facility when the director is offsite with no qualified replacement present, when a lead teacher is covering the role without meeting director qualifications, or when the personnel file shows the listed director doesn't actually work at the location full-time. They also check whether CCLD was notified when a previous director departed, and any gap between that departure and a replacement triggers a finding.

How can I prevent this citation?

Designate a backup staff member who meets full director qualifications under Section 101215.1 and document their credentials in your personnel files. Post the director's weekly schedule where all staff can reference it, and note who serves as qualified backup on each shift. Notify CCLD immediately when your director resigns or is terminated. If you operate a combination center covering multiple age groups, verify your director's qualifications cover the full scope of your license.

What should I do if I receive this citation?

If your current director lacks proper qualifications, begin the credential verification process immediately and document a timeline for completion. If the director position is vacant, submit your CCLD notification of the vacancy and your recruitment plan. Identify a qualified interim director and update your personnel files to reflect their credentials and schedule. Include proof of director presence coverage for all operating hours in your Plan of Correction. For complex situations, consider consulting a licensed childcare compliance specialist.

Related violations

Other citations in this regulation family

This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed child care compliance consultant for guidance specific to your facility. Citation data is sourced from California Community Care Licensing Division public records and is refreshed regularly.

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