California Code § 102425(a): One Crib Per Infant

📋Type B Violation🏢Affects: Family Child Care Homes

ℹ️ Educational reference based on public CCLD inspection records. Not legal or compliance advice. Verify requirements with official sources. Full disclaimer →

What Is California Code § 102425(a): One Crib Per Infant?

California Code § 102425(a)

There shall be one crib or play yard for each infant who is unable to climb out of the crib or play yard.

💬What Providers Tell Us

Based on community experience — not official guidance

Inspectors physically check every crib during licensing visits. They'll press down on the mattress to test firmness, tug the fitted sheet to check fit, and look between the mattress and crib frame for gaps wider than two fingers. The most common write-up happens when staff leave a pacifier clip, bib, or burp cloth in the crib after a feeding. Inspectors also check during nap time without warning, so your cribs need to be bare every single time an infant is placed down, not just when you know someone's coming. Keep a bin next to each crib for removing items before laying the child down.

facilities cited (last 90 days)

That's 1 in 5000 facilities

counties affected

most common citation

📈

Increasing

Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days

8 facilities (was 7)+1 facility

Source: California CCLD inspection records | Data as of Mar 19, 2026. Updated weekly.

8 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days.

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What Other Providers Do for One Crib Per Infant

Common practices shared by providers. Confirm requirements with your licensing analyst.

✓ Common Practices

Provide individual cribs for each infant with firm, tight-fitting mattresses
Use only fitted crib sheets - no loose bedding, blankets, or pillows
Remove all toys, bumpers, and comfort objects from infant sleep areas
Place infants on their backs for all sleep periods unless physician directs otherwise
Maintain cribs in good repair with proper spacing between slats

❌ Common Mistakes

Leaving a thin receiving blanket in the crib because 'it's not really a blanket.' Inspectors document any fabric beyond the fitted sheet as a suffocation hazard, regardless of how thin it is.
Using a crib mattress that has softened with age. Providers assume if it came with the crib it's fine, but inspectors press-test firmness. If the mattress doesn't spring back immediately, that's a citation.
Allowing a child who 'just turned one' to have a comfort object before their actual birthday. The 12-month rule is strict. Inspectors check enrollment records against what's in the crib.
Stacking extra bedding or supplies on an unoccupied crib. Inspectors cite this because items can fall into an occupied crib nearby, or staff might forget to clear the crib before placing an infant.

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.

San Diego County

2 citations

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Colusa County

1 citations

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Solano County

1 citations

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Alameda County

1 citations

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Los Angeles County

1 citations

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Santa Clara County

1 citations

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San Bernardino County

1 citations

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Data updated weekly from CCLD public records. Last update: 3/19/2026

A single Type A citation can cost $150–$500+ in civil penalties — not counting the follow-up inspection it triggers.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.

What is Individual Crib Requirements for Infants?

California regulation 102425(a) requires one crib or play yard for each infant who is unable to climb out independently. Each crib must have a firm, tight-fitting mattress with only a fitted sheet, and nothing else: no blankets, bumpers, stuffed animals, or comfort objects until the child turns 12 months old. This regulation exists because loose items in cribs are a suffocation risk, and inspectors physically examine every crib in your facility during licensing visits.

How common is the individual crib requirements citation?

According to California CCLD inspection records as of March 15, 2026, 8 facilities have been cited for this violation in the past 90 days across 7 California counties. That's roughly 1 in 5,000 inspected facilities. San Diego leads with 2 citations, while Colusa, Los Angeles, Alameda, Santa Clara, and two other counties each had one. Inspectors check cribs during every visit, making this a high-visibility compliance area regardless of your location.

What triggers this citation during an inspection?

Inspectors physically examine every crib in your facility. They press down on mattresses to test firmness, tug fitted sheets to check fit, and measure the gap between mattress and crib frame (anything wider than two fingers is cited). Based on CCLD inspection patterns, the most common write-up occurs when staff leave a pacifier clip, bib, or burp cloth in the crib after feeding. Inspectors also check during nap time without warning, so cribs need to be bare every time an infant is placed down.

How can I prevent this citation?

Place a small bin next to each crib for staff to deposit items before laying an infant down. Replace any mattress that doesn't spring back immediately when pressed. Check that fitted sheets are the correct size for your crib model, with no bunching or slack. Do a daily crib sweep before nap time, checking for stray items. Remove receiving blankets, bibs, and pacifier clips from the crib area entirely so they don't accidentally end up inside.

What should I do if I receive this citation?

Remove all non-compliant items from every crib immediately. Test each mattress for firmness and replace any that don't spring back when pressed. Order correctly sized fitted sheets if your current ones are loose. Create a "bare crib" checklist that staff initial before each nap period, and post it at each crib station. Take photos of your corrected cribs to include in your Plan of Correction. For complex situations, consider consulting a licensed childcare compliance specialist.

Related Violations

102425(j)(2)

Sleep Check Documentation

31 facilities cited (last 90 days)

View details →

102425(j)(1)

15-Minute Infant Checks

26 facilities cited (last 90 days)

View details →

102425(i)

Sleeping Infant Transfer

8 facilities cited (last 90 days)

View details →

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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