Violation

California Code § 101223(a)(1)Dignity in Care

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 Child Care Centers28 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 § 101223(a)(1) actually says

California Code § 101223(a)(1)

To be accorded dignity in his/her personal relationships with staff and other persons.

From the field

What providers tell us about this citation

Based on community experience, not official guidance.

This regulation is about how your staff treats children, not their qualifications. Inspectors watch staff interactions during the entire visit, especially during transitions like mealtimes and diaper changes. They listen for tone of voice, watch for rough handling, and note whether staff speak to children respectfully or bark orders. A verbal warning usually happens when an inspector sees a staff member being dismissive or impatient once. Repeated incidents, or anything that looks like shaming a child in front of peers, gets documented. Train your staff that every interaction is being observed, because during a visit, it is.

By the numbers

28^*CCLD: facilities cited in the last 90 days
14^*CCLD: counties where this citation appeared
22^*CCLD: rank among most-common citations
Trajectory: Steady
+1 facility

28 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 Dignity in Care

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

Common practices

Ensure all direct care staff meet minimum age requirements
Verify staff have required education or experience qualifications
Provide necessary training for staff who don't meet preferred qualifications
Maintain documentation of all staff qualifications and training
Assign supervision responsibilities appropriately based on staff qualifications

What to avoid

Using group discipline that singles out or embarrasses a child in front of others. Providers think redirecting behavior loudly is effective, but inspectors see it as a dignity violation when a child is called out by name for misbehavior in front of the group.
Rushing children through personal care routines like diapering or toileting. Staff sometimes treat these moments as tasks to complete quickly rather than opportunities to respect a child's body and pace. Inspectors notice when children are moved roughly or without verbal communication.
Speaking about children's challenges within earshot of other children or parents. Discussing a child's behavioral issues or developmental concerns where others can hear violates their right to dignity. Inspectors document overheard conversations.
Allowing older children to tease or belittle younger ones without staff intervention. The regulation covers dignity in all personal relationships, not just staff-to-child. Inspectors note whether staff actively protect children's dignity among peers.

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 Dignity in Care, last 90 days
County	Citations	Facilities	Citation rate
Los Angeles	6	--	--
San Diego	4	--	--
Orange	3	--	--
Riverside	3	--	--
LOS ANGELES	2	--	--
Santa Clara	2	--	--
Yolo	1	--	--
Butte	1	--	--
Marin	1	--	--
Solano	1	--	--

SOURCE

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

Articles about this topic

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

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

What is Dignity in Care?

California Code 101223(a)(1) requires that every child in your facility be treated with dignity in their personal relationships with staff and other children. This goes beyond basic kindness. It covers tone of voice during redirections, how staff handle diapering and toileting, and whether adults discuss a child's challenges within earshot of others. For your daily operations, it means every staff interaction is held to a respect standard that inspectors actively observe during visits.

How common is this citation?

According to California CCLD inspection records as of March 15, 2026, 27 facilities have been cited for this violation in the past 90 days across 13 California counties. That's roughly 1 in 1,481 inspected facilities. Citations are spread across the state, with Los Angeles (5), Orange (3), Alameda (3), San Diego (3), and Santa Clara (3) reporting the most. This citation often results from observed behavior during unannounced visits rather than paperwork reviews.

What triggers this citation during an inspection?

Inspectors watch staff interactions throughout the entire visit, especially during transitions like mealtimes and diaper changes. Based on CCLD inspection patterns, common triggers include staff raising their voice to single out a child by name in front of peers, rushing children through toileting without verbal communication, and discussing a child's behavioral issues where other families can overhear. Inspectors also note whether staff intervene when older children tease younger ones. A single observed incident of shaming or rough handling gets documented immediately.

How can I prevent this citation?

Train staff that every interaction is observed during licensing visits. Practice redirecting children privately, not across the room. During diapering and toileting, staff should narrate what they're doing and let the child set the pace. Establish a rule: never discuss a child's challenges anywhere another family might hear. Role-play these scenarios during monthly staff meetings so respectful responses become automatic, not something staff have to think about under pressure.

What should I do if I receive this citation?

Document the specific interaction that was cited and hold a staff meeting within 48 hours to review dignity standards. Create or update your written policy on respectful interactions, covering tone of voice, private redirections, and confidential discussions about children. Have each staff member sign an acknowledgment. Include specific training dates and topics in your Plan of Correction. 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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