California Code § 101229(a)(1): Continuous Child Supervision

📋Type A Violation🏢Affects: Child Care Centers

What Is California Code § 101229(a)(1): Continuous Child Supervision?

California Code § 101229(a)(1)

No child(ren) shall be left without the supervision of a teacher at any time, except as specified in Sections 101216.2(e)(1) and 101230(c)(1). Supervision shall include visual observation. NOTE: Authority cited: Section 1596.81, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 1596.72, 1596.73, 1596.81 and 1597.05, Health and Safety Code.

💡Insider's Tips

Inspectors watch transitions, not just structured activity time. The moments that get you cited are handoffs: morning arrival when parents linger and a teacher steps into the hallway, outdoor-to-indoor transitions when one group moves faster than another, and bathroom breaks where a teacher walks a child down the hall leaving the room uncovered. Map out your daily schedule and identify every point where a single teacher could end up alone with too many kids or where children could briefly be out of visual range. Have a written coverage plan for each of those moments, and post it where staff can see it. According to California CCLD inspection records, 96 facilities were cited for this in the past 90 days across 30 counties.

facilities cited recently

That's 1 in 476 facilities

counties affected

most common citation

📉

Decreasing

Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days

86 facilities (was 113)27 facilities

Source: California CCLD inspection records | Data: last 90 days as of Feb 16, 2026

How to Avoid Continuous Child Supervision Citations

✓ Prevention Checklist

No child shall be left without teacher supervision at any time
Supervision must include visual observation of all children
Only exceptions are specified bathroom privacy (101216.2(e)(1)) and brief transitions (101230(c)(1))
Teacher must be within sight and sound of children
Maintain required child-to-staff ratios while providing supervision

❌ Common Mistakes

Stepping out of the room 'for just a second' to grab supplies, take a phone call, or talk to a parent at the door. Providers think brief absences don't count, but inspectors document any moment children lack direct visual supervision from a qualified teacher.
Relying on aides or volunteers who are not qualified teachers to cover supervision gaps. The regulation specifies teacher supervision, not just adult presence. An aide left alone with children while the teacher uses the restroom is a citable violation.
Losing visual contact during outdoor play in large or L-shaped yards. Providers assume being 'nearby' is enough, but the regulation requires visual observation. If you cannot see every child from where you are standing, you are out of compliance.
Counting nap time as a period where supervision can relax. Inspectors have cited facilities where teachers left the nap room to prep activities or eat lunch. Sleeping children still require continuous visual observation.

What's Being Cited in Each Region Over the Past 90 Days

Based on facility inspection reports filed with California's Community Care Licensing Division, here's how this citation appears across different regions in the past 90 days.

Orange County

11 citations

Los Angeles County

11 citations

San Diego County

10 citations

Alameda County

8 citations

Sacramento County

6 citations

San Bernardino County

5 citations

Placer County

3 citations

Mendocino County

3 citations

San Mateo County

3 citations

Santa Clara County

3 citations

Data updated weekly from CCLD public records. Last update: 2/16/2026

See California Code § 101229(a)(1): Continuous Child Supervision Citations in Your County

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Continuous Child Supervision?

Continuous Child Supervision requires that a qualified teacher maintain direct visual observation of every child at all times during care. This goes beyond simply being in the building. You must be able to physically see each child from where you stand, with only narrow exceptions for bathroom privacy and brief transitions specified in the code. For your daily operations, this means planning staff coverage for every moment, including arrivals, outdoor play, nap time, and hallway trips.

How common is this citation?

According to California CCLD inspection records as of February 08, 2026, 96 facilities have been cited for this violation in the past 90 days across 30 California counties. That's roughly 1 in 417 inspected facilities. Los Angeles leads with 12 citations, followed by San Diego (10), Orange (9), Alameda (8), and San Bernardino (5). While less common than documentation citations, supervision violations carry serious weight during inspections.

What triggers this citation during an inspection?

Inspectors watch transitions, not just structured activity time. Based on CCLD inspection patterns, the most common triggers are a teacher stepping into the hallway to speak with a parent, leaving the nap room to prep activities, or losing sight of children in L-shaped outdoor areas. Inspectors also cite facilities where an aide or volunteer is left supervising instead of a qualified teacher. If the inspector can see children without a teacher's eyes on them, even briefly, they document it.

How can I prevent this citation?

Map your daily schedule and identify every transition point where a teacher could lose visual contact: morning drop-off, bathroom trips, outdoor-to-indoor moves, and nap time. Write a coverage plan for each of those moments and post it where staff can see it. Assign a specific backup teacher for restroom breaks and parent conversations. Never leave children with someone who isn't a qualified teacher, even for 30 seconds.

What should I do if I receive this citation?

Document a written supervision plan that addresses the specific gap the inspector found. If it was a transition issue, create a staff rotation schedule for those moments. If it was an unqualified person left supervising, retrain all staff on who counts as a qualified teacher under your license type. Post the updated plan visibly and conduct a brief staff meeting within 48 hours. For complex situations, consider consulting a licensed childcare compliance specialist.

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This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed childcare 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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