Violation
California Code § 101238(a)Facility Cleanliness
How CCLD inspectors cite this regulation, what providers do to stay clear of it, and where it appears in the public record.
Regulation text
What California Code § 101238(a) actually says
California Code § 101238(a)
The child care center shall be clean, safe, sanitary and in good repair at all times to ensure the safety and well-being of children, employees and visitors.
From the field
What providers tell us about this citation
Based on community experience, not official guidance.
This is the regulation inspectors use when something doesn't fit neatly into a more specific code. If your ceiling tile is stained, your outdoor fence has a gap, or your bathroom has mildew, it falls here. Inspectors do a full walkthrough the moment they arrive, before you even know what the visit is about. The difference between a verbal heads-up and a documented deficiency often comes down to whether you already knew about the problem. If there's a work order or a note showing you scheduled a repair, inspectors tend to note it and move on. If the same broken cabinet latch was there last visit, that's going on paper.
By the numbers
- 43*CCLD
- facilities cited in the last 90 days
- 17*CCLD
- counties where this citation appeared
- 13*CCLD
- rank among most-common citations
- Trajectory
- More citations than the prior period+13 facilities
That is 1 in 2500 facilities CCLD inspected.
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days.
43 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days. See if yours is one of them.
What other providers do
Common practices to stay clear of Facility Cleanliness
Common practices shared by providers. Confirm requirements with your licensing analyst.
Common practices
What to avoid
- Letting small maintenance issues pile up because none of them seem urgent. Providers think a loose doorknob or chipped tile is minor, but inspectors see a pattern of neglect and document everything they find in a single visit.
- Focusing cleanup efforts on indoor spaces and ignoring outdoor areas. Play yards, fences, storage sheds, and parking lot debris all fall under this regulation. Inspectors walk the full property perimeter.
- Assuming 'in good repair' only means structural issues. Stained carpets, peeling contact paper on shelves, and worn-out crib mattresses all count. If it looks like it needs replacing, an inspector will flag it.
- Cleaning up right before a scheduled visit but not maintaining daily standards. Unannounced visits happen, and inspectors notice the difference between a facility that's always clean and one that was scrubbed an hour ago.
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 weekly intelligence report.
| County | Citations |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 19 |
| Kern | 3 |
| San Diego | 3 |
| Fresno | 2 |
| Riverside | 2 |
| Contra Costa | 2 |
| BUTTE | 1 |
| Marin | 1 |
| Merced | 1 |
| Orange | 1 |
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
Further reading
Articles about this topic
Public record
Check any facility for § 101238(a)
Free public record. No account needed.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.
What is Facility Cleanliness?
How common is the Facility Cleanliness citation?
What triggers this citation during an inspection?
How can I prevent this citation?
What should I do if I receive this citation?
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.