California Code § 101216(f): First Aid Staff On-Site

📋Type A Violation🏢Affects: Child Care Centers

What Is California Code § 101216(f): First Aid Staff On-Site?

California Code § 101216(f)

At least one staff member who is trained in pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation and pediatric first aid pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 1596.866 shall be present when children are at the child care center or offsite for center activities.

💡Insider's Tips

Inspectors verify CPR/First Aid coverage by checking certificates against your staff schedule. They look at who was actually present on specific days, not just who's on your roster. The citation happens when your only certified person called in sick and you didn't have backup coverage. Inspectors also check expiration dates closely since many providers don't realize certifications lapsed. Keep a simple chart showing each staff member's certification status and expiration date posted in the office. For field trips and outdoor time, the certified person must physically be with the group of children, not back inside the building.

facilities cited recently

That's 1 in 2500 facilities

counties affected

most common citation

📉

Decreasing

Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days

15 facilities (was 36)21 facilities

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

How to Avoid First Aid Staff On-Site Citations

✓ Prevention Checklist

Record all injuries, accidents, and illnesses that occur at the facility
Include date, time, location, and circumstances of each incident
Document first aid or medical care provided
Note when and how parents were notified
Maintain injury logs for state inspection review

❌ Common Mistakes

Having only one staff member with current CPR/First Aid certification. When that person is absent, on break, or in another room, you're out of compliance. Inspectors check coverage at the moment of their visit, and if your certified person isn't present with children, it's a write-up.
Letting certifications expire without noticing. Pediatric CPR/First Aid cards have specific expiration dates, and a certificate that expired last week is treated the same as having no certificate. Providers assume they have a grace period, but there isn't one.
Using adult CPR certification instead of pediatric-specific training. The regulation specifically requires pediatric CPR and pediatric first aid per Health and Safety Code 1596.866. Adult-only certification doesn't satisfy this requirement even though the skills overlap.
Not ensuring certified staff coverage during field trips or outdoor activities. The certified person must be physically present wherever the children are. If kids are at the park and your certified staff member stayed behind at the center, you're not in compliance.

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.

Alameda County

4 citations

El Dorado County

2 citations

Los Angeles County

2 citations

Orange County

1 citations

Tuolumne County

1 citations

Calaveras County

1 citations

Riverside County

1 citations

San Diego County

1 citations

Contra Costa County

1 citations

San Francisco County

1 citations

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

See California Code § 101216(f): First Aid Staff On-Site Citations in Your County

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is First Aid Staff On-Site?

California Code 101216(f) requires that at least one staff member trained in pediatric CPR and pediatric first aid be physically present whenever children are at the facility or on any offsite activity. This isn't about having someone on your roster with a certificate. The trained person must be in the same location as the children at all times, whether that's inside the building, on the playground, or at a field trip location.

How common is the First Aid Staff On-Site citation?

According to California CCLD inspection records as of February 08, 2026, 17 facilities have been cited for this violation in the past 90 days across 9 California counties. That's roughly 1 in 2,353 inspected facilities. Los Angeles leads with 4 citations, Alameda has 3, and Orange, San Bernardino, and Contra Costa counties each had 2. These citations often happen on days when the only certified staff member called in sick and no backup coverage was arranged.

What triggers this citation during an inspection?

Inspectors check certificates against your staff schedule for the day of their visit. They verify that a certified person is physically present with the children right now, not just listed on payroll. Based on CCLD inspection patterns, the most common trigger is when your only certified staff member is on break, in another room, or absent for the day. Inspectors also check expiration dates closely. A certificate that expired last week is treated identically to having no certificate at all.

How can I prevent this citation?

Get at least two staff members certified in pediatric CPR and first aid so you always have backup. Post a chart in your office showing each staff member's certification status and expiration date. Set calendar reminders 90 days before any certification expires. For field trips and outdoor time, confirm your certified person is physically going with the group before leaving the building.

What should I do if I receive this citation?

Enroll uncertified staff in the next available pediatric CPR and first aid course. Many Red Cross and community colleges offer classes weekly. Submit your plan of correction showing enrollment dates, a staffing plan that ensures certified coverage every day, and your new tracking chart for certification expiration dates. Document the specific training provider and course completion timeline. 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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