Violation

California Code § 102425(j)(1)15-Minute Infant Checks

How CCLD inspectors cite this regulation, what providers do to stay clear of it, and where it appears in the public record.

Type B, generalAffects Family Child Care Homes27 facilities cited in the last 90 days

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

Regulation text

What California Code § 102425(j)(1) actually says

California Code § 102425(j)(1)

The provider shall physically check on sleeping infants every 15 minutes.

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

The 15-minute check isn't just peeking through a doorway. Inspectors expect you to be close enough to observe the infant's skin color and breathing pattern. During licensing visits, they time the gap between your checks, so if you're chatting with a parent at the front door for 20 minutes while infants sleep in the back room, that's a citation. Some inspectors will sit quietly in the infant area and watch whether staff actually approach each crib or just do a quick scan from across the room. Assign one specific person per shift to infant sleep checks and use a timer on your phone so nothing slips.

By the numbers

27^*CCLD: facilities cited in the last 90 days
10^*CCLD: counties where this citation appeared
24^*CCLD: rank among most-common citations
Trajectory: More citations than the prior period
+8 facilities

27 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days. See if yours is one of them.

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What other providers do

Common practices to stay clear of 15-Minute Infant Checks

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

Common practices

Provide age-appropriate outdoor play equipment for each group served
Inspect play equipment regularly for safety hazards and damage
Maintain equipment in good repair and safe working condition
Follow manufacturer guidelines for equipment installation and use
Remove or repair damaged equipment immediately to prevent injury

What to avoid

Doing visual checks from the doorway instead of approaching each crib individually. Inspectors define 'physically check' as being close enough to observe breathing and skin color, not a glance from six feet away.
Relying on audio or video monitors as a substitute for in-person checks. Technology supplements the 15-minute physical checks but never replaces them. Inspectors cite providers who reference camera feeds instead of performing hands-on rounds.
Letting the 15-minute interval slide to 18 or 20 minutes during busy transitions like pickup time. Inspectors know transition periods are when checks get skipped, and they specifically observe during these windows.
Failing to check infants who fall asleep outside of scheduled nap time. The regulation applies whenever any infant is sleeping, not just during designated nap periods. An infant who dozes off in a bouncer still requires documented 15-minute checks.

Regional record

Where this citation appeared in the past 90 days

Citation counts and rates by California county, drawn from CCLD inspection records. Click a county to see its weekly intelligence report.

Regional citations for 15-Minute Infant Checks, last 90 days
County	Citations	Facilities	Citation rate
Los Angeles	9	--	--
Riverside	4	--	--
Santa Barbara	3	--	--
Orange	2	--	--
San Diego	2	--	--
San Joaquin	2	--	--
San Bernardino	2	--	--
Alameda	1	--	--
SAN DIEGO	1	--	--
San Mateo	1	--	--

SOURCE

*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citations2026-05-05Updated weekly

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

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

What is 15-Minute Infant Checks?

California Code 102425(j)(1) requires providers to physically check on sleeping infants every 15 minutes. Physical checking means being close enough to each crib to observe the infant's breathing pattern and skin color, not glancing from a doorway or watching a video monitor. For your daily operations, this applies whenever any infant is sleeping, including unscheduled naps outside of designated nap time, and requires consistent documentation of each check.

How common is this citation?

According to California CCLD inspection records as of March 15, 2026, 26 facilities have been cited for this violation in the past 90 days across 11 California counties. That's roughly 1 in 1,538 inspected facilities. Los Angeles leads with 7 citations, followed by Riverside with 5 and San Joaquin with 3. This citation often results from inspectors timing the gap between checks during a visit, catching providers who let intervals stretch during busy transitions.

What triggers this citation during an inspection?

Inspectors will sit quietly in the infant sleep area and time the gap between staff checks. Based on CCLD inspection patterns, citations are documented when staff do visual scans from across the room instead of approaching each crib individually, when intervals stretch past 15 minutes during pickup time or other transitions, or when an infant falls asleep in a bouncer and nobody starts the check cycle. Relying on audio or video monitors instead of physical presence is also cited. Inspectors know transition periods are when checks slip.

How can I prevent this citation?

Assign one specific person per shift to infant sleep checks and use a repeating 15-minute timer on a phone or watch. Train staff to approach each crib close enough to see skin color and chest movement. Start the check cycle immediately when any infant falls asleep, not just during scheduled nap time. Log each check with the time, the staff member's initials, and a brief note. This routine takes about 2 minutes per round.

What should I do if I receive this citation?

Implement a documented check system the same day: a physical log sheet posted at the sleep area with columns for time, staff initials, and observations for each infant. Designate a primary and backup checker for every shift. Include your new check protocol and staff training dates in your Plan of Correction. If you were cited for monitor reliance, add language confirming that physical checks are your primary method. For complex situations, consider consulting a licensed childcare compliance specialist.

Related violations

Other citations in this regulation family

This information is educational and does not constitute legal advice. Consult a licensed child care 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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