California Code § 101226(a): Illness & Injury Notification

❌ Common Mistakes

• Waiting until pickup to tell a parent about an injury that happened at 10 AM. Providers think face-to-face communication is better, but this regulation requires immediate notification. A bump on the head at morning circle means a phone call at morning circle, not a conversation at 5 PM pickup.
• Not getting 'specific instructions' from the parent and documenting them. Calling the parent is only half the requirement. You must also ask what they want you to do (pick up the child, apply ice, watch and wait) and write down their response. Inspectors look for both the notification and the documented instructions.
• Misjudging what qualifies as 'more serious than a minor cut or scratch.' A bruise, a bump that causes swelling, a bitten lip that bleeds, a twisted ankle: all of these exceed the minor threshold. Providers err on the side of not calling, but the regulation says err on the side of calling.
• Having only one emergency contact number that goes to voicemail. When inspectors review your incident file and see 'called parent, no answer, left message,' they check whether you attempted the second authorized contact. The regulation says authorized representative, which includes backup contacts listed on the emergency card.