California Code § 101238(a): Facility Cleanliness

📋Type A Violation🏢Affects: Child Care Centers

What Is California Code § 101238(a): Facility Cleanliness?

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.

💡Insider's Tips

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.

facilities cited recently

That's 1 in 1429 facilities

counties affected

most common citation

📉

Decreasing

Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days

28 facilities (was 44)16 facilities

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

How to Avoid Facility Cleanliness Citations

✓ Prevention Checklist

Maintain cleanliness throughout the facility daily
Address safety hazards immediately when identified
Keep all areas sanitary, especially food prep and diaper changing
Repair maintenance issues promptly (don't let them pile up)
Ensure outdoor play areas are safe and well-maintained

❌ Common Mistakes

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.

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.

Los Angeles County

9 citations

San Diego County

4 citations

Kern County

3 citations

Santa Clara County

3 citations

Orange County

2 citations

Fresno County

1 citations

Merced County

1 citations

Placer County

1 citations

Riverside County

1 citations

San Mateo County

1 citations

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

See California Code § 101238(a): Facility Cleanliness Citations in Your County

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Facility Cleanliness?

California Code 101238(a) requires your child care center to be clean, safe, sanitary, and in good repair at all times. This is an every-single-day standard, not a 'prepare for inspection' checklist. It affects your daily operations because inspectors do a full walkthrough the moment they arrive, and this broad regulation covers everything from stained ceiling tiles to mildew in bathrooms to gaps in outdoor fencing.

How common is this citation?

According to California CCLD inspection records as of February 08, 2026, 33 facilities have been cited for this violation in the past 90 days across 12 California counties. That's roughly 1 in 1,212 inspected facilities. Los Angeles leads with 10 citations, followed by San Diego and Orange with 4 each, and Contra Costa with 3. This regulation functions as a catch-all for physical facility conditions, so it appears across a wide range of counties and facility types.

What triggers this citation during an inspection?

Inspectors walk your entire property, inside and out, within the first few minutes of arriving. Based on CCLD inspection patterns, they document anything that looks neglected: stained carpets, peeling contact paper, chipped paint, worn crib mattresses, mildew in bathrooms, loose doorknobs, and debris in outdoor play areas. Small issues pile up fast. If an inspector found the same broken cabinet latch during their last visit and it's still broken, that gets written up as a pattern of unaddressed maintenance.

How can I prevent this citation?

Do a weekly walkthrough of your entire facility and property using a written checklist that covers floors, walls, ceilings, bathrooms, outdoor areas, and equipment. Fix minor issues the same week you spot them. For repairs that take longer, create a work order or note with a scheduled date. That documentation shows inspectors you're already addressing the problem. Don't forget outdoor spaces, including fences, storage sheds, and parking areas.

What should I do if I receive this citation?

Address each specific item the inspector documented. If it's a cleaning issue, resolve it the same day. If it requires a repair, schedule it promptly and keep the work order or contractor receipt as evidence. Take dated photos of each corrected item for your Plan of Correction. Implement a weekly facility walkthrough checklist to catch issues before the next visit. Show the inspector during your follow-up that you've built ongoing maintenance into your routine. 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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