California Code § 101212(b): Director Change Notification

📋Type B Violation🏢Affects: Child Care Centers

What Is California Code § 101212(b): Director Change Notification?

California Code § 101212(b)

The name of the child care center director, and any fully qualified teacher(s) designated to act in the child care center director's absence, shall be reported to the Department within 10 days of a change of child care center director or designee(s).

💡Insider's Tips

Inspectors pull your director file during every routine visit and cross-check the name against what licensing has on record. If there's a mismatch, that's an automatic write-up. The 10-day clock starts the day the change happens, not the day you "finalize" it. I've seen centers get cited because the old director left on a Friday and the new one started Monday, but nobody told licensing for six weeks. Even if someone is "just filling in" for a month, report it. Verbal warnings are rare here because either the paperwork matches or it doesn't.

facilities cited recently

That's 1 in 5000 facilities

counties affected

most common citation

📉

Decreasing

Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days

10 facilities (was 23)13 facilities

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

How to Avoid Director Change Notification Citations

✓ Prevention Checklist

Report director changes to licensing within 10 calendar days
Notify of any changes to designated backup teachers/directors
Submit notification even for temporary director changes
Include names of all newly designated backup staff
Ensure all designated backups meet qualification requirements

❌ Common Mistakes

Treating temporary or "acting" director assignments as exempt from reporting. Providers assume short-term coverage doesn't count, but inspectors document any mismatch between the director on file and the person actually running the center.
Reporting the new director but forgetting to update the designated backup teachers. When the old director leaves and the backup becomes permanent, that backup slot is now empty and needs a new name submitted.
Waiting until the new director's orientation is "complete" before notifying licensing. The 10-day window runs from the date of the actual change, not from when you feel the person is fully settled in.
Sending the notification to the wrong office or using outdated contact information. Licensing restructures regional assignments periodically, and a report sent to the wrong analyst doesn't stop the clock.
Assuming electronic submission means instant delivery. Email confirmations aren't automatic, so follow up with a phone call to verify licensing received your notification.

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.

Butte County

2 citations

Orange County

2 citations

Los Angeles County

2 citations

Kern County

1 citations

Calaveras County

1 citations

San Diego County

1 citations

San Joaquin County

1 citations

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

See California Code § 101212(b): Director Change Notification Citations in Your County

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is Director Change Notification?

California Code 101212(b) requires you to notify licensing within 10 calendar days whenever your center director changes or you designate new backup teachers to act in the director's absence. This applies to permanent replacements, temporary assignments, and any update to the list of qualified staff authorized to run the center when the director is out. Missing this window puts your facility out of compliance on every subsequent inspection until the paperwork catches up.

How common is this citation?

According to California CCLD inspection records as of February 08, 2026, 13 facilities have been cited for this violation in the past 90 days across 6 California counties. That works out to roughly 1 in 3,077 inspected facilities receiving this citation. San Bernardino County leads with 5 citations, followed by Butte, Riverside, and Sacramento with 2 each. While the overall frequency is low at 0.03% of inspected facilities, it tends to cluster in counties with higher staff turnover rates.

What triggers this citation during an inspection?

Inspectors pull your director file during every routine visit and compare the name on record with the person actually running the center that day. Based on CCLD inspection patterns, a mismatch between the listed director and the individual present is an automatic write-up. They also check whether your designated backup teachers are current. If the old director left and the backup moved into the permanent role, that backup slot is now empty on paper. Inspectors document exactly who they observe in charge and compare it to what licensing has on file.

How can I prevent this citation?

Keep a calendar reminder that fires the day any director change happens, not when the new person feels settled. Submit your notification within the first 48 hours to give yourself buffer on the 10-day deadline. Call your regional licensing office to confirm they received it, since email confirmations aren't automatic. Update your designated backup list at the same time so both records stay current.

What should I do if I receive this citation?

File the director change notification with your licensing analyst immediately. Include the date the change actually occurred, the new director's name and qualifications, and updated designated backup teachers. Follow up with a phone call to confirm receipt. Document when you sent the notification and keep a copy for your records. 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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