Violation
California Code § 102423(a)(4)Age-Appropriate Equipment
How CCLD inspectors cite this regulation, what providers do to stay clear of it, and where it appears in the public record.
Regulation text
What California Code § 102423(a)(4) actually says
California Code § 102423(a)(4)
NOTE: Authority cited: Section 1596.81, Health and Safety Code. Reference: Sections 1597.30, Health and Safety Code. Regulations FAMILY CHILD CARE CENTERS 102424
From the field
What providers tell us about this citation
Based on community experience, not official guidance.
Inspectors watch children on the playground during their visit, and they're checking whether the equipment matches the ages of the kids actually using it. If you serve mixed ages, they want to see physical separation or active redirection keeping toddlers off the big-kid climber. Sacramento had 4 citations in the past 90 days on this one. The most common scenario is a 2-year-old on a structure rated for ages 5-12 while staff are supervising from across the yard. Inspectors also check fall zones and surfacing, but the age-appropriateness piece is what triggers the citation under this section. Post manufacturer age labels where they're visible and create a simple rule your staff can enforce: if the child can't get on the equipment independently, they shouldn't be on it.
By the numbers
- 14*CCLD
- facilities cited in the last 90 days
- 10*CCLD
- counties where this citation appeared
- 32*CCLD
- rank among most-common citations
- Trajectory
- Steady+1 facility
That is 1 in 10000 facilities CCLD inspected.
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
Last 90 days vs. previous 90 days.
14 facilities were cited for this in the last 90 days. See if yours is one of them.
What other providers do
Common practices to stay clear of Age-Appropriate Equipment
Common practices shared by providers. Confirm requirements with your licensing analyst.
Common practices
What to avoid
- Assuming that supervision alone makes equipment safe for younger children. Providers think if they're watching closely, a toddler can use school-age equipment. But the regulation requires equipment to be age-appropriate regardless of supervision level. Inspectors cite the equipment mismatch, not the lack of watching.
- Removing manufacturer age labels from equipment to avoid questions. This backfires because inspectors can identify age ratings by equipment design, and missing labels suggest the provider is aware of a problem and trying to hide it.
- Not separating outdoor play areas when serving mixed age groups. Providers with one shared yard let all ages play everywhere. Without physical barriers or designated zones, younger children naturally gravitate to larger, more exciting equipment that isn't designed for them.
- Accepting donated or secondhand equipment without checking age ratings. Providers appreciate the cost savings but install structures without verifying the intended age range. Equipment designed for school playgrounds often has features like high platforms and wide spacing between bars that create fall and entrapment hazards for children under 5.
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.
| County | Citations |
|---|---|
| Los Angeles | 4 |
| Riverside | 2 |
| Butte | 1 |
| Solano | 1 |
| Ventura | 1 |
| San Diego | 1 |
| SAN JOAQUIN | 1 |
| San Francisco | 1 |
| Santa Barbara | 1 |
| San Luis Obispo | 1 |
SOURCE
*CCLD: California Community Care Licensing Divisionviolation_citationsUpdated weekly
Further reading
Articles about this topic
Public record
Check any facility for § 102423(a)(4)
Free public record. No account needed.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
Answers based on public CCLD data and regulation text. May not reflect recent changes.
What is Age-Appropriate Equipment?
How common is this citation?
What triggers this citation during an inspection?
How can I prevent this citation?
What should I do if I receive this citation?
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.