For Parents & Guardians
Find quality child care that fits your family's needs
28 articles
Start here
New to MyChildCarePlan.org? Create an account, learn the basics, and find out who can help.
- Getting Started with My Child Care Plan: What You Need to KnowLearn about provider requirements and support services available to help you find child care in California.
- How do I create an account?Get started on your child care search by creating your free account.
- How do I get personalized help in my area?Your local R&R agency offers free, one-on-one help finding and paying for child care.
- Is MyChildCarePlan.org free?Yes. MyChildCarePlan.org is publicly funded and free for families and providers.
- Is the provider information up to date?Where listing details come from, and how to confirm openings with a program.
- How do I contact MyChildCarePlan.org support?Reach our team by chat, email or phone for help with your account or this website.
- How do I share articles and resources?Send a resource by Messenger, WhatsApp or WeChat, copy its link, or print it.
Find child care
Search, filter, save and print a list of providers.
- How do I search for child care?Find licensed child care providers that match your family's needs.
- How do I narrow my search with filters?Narrow your search by age, schedule, language and more.
- How do I create a child care plan?Answer five questions to see providers that match your family's needs.
- How do I save and print a list of providers?Save providers to a list, add notes, and print or save it as a PDF.
- Why can't I find a child care program in my results?Can't find a program in your results? Here is why, and how to find it.
- Why do search results appear in random order?Why results change order, so every provider gets a fair chance to be seen.
- Why can't I see a provider's full street address?Family child care homes keep their street address private. Here is what you will see instead.
- What is a Child Care Resource & Referral agency (CCR&R)?CCR&Rs are local agencies that give California families free help finding child care and learning about financial assistance.
Choose a provider
Check licenses and backgrounds, compare types of care, and know what to ask before you decide.
- Choosing child care: a step-by-step guideSeven steps to find quality child care, from your first questions to a visit with your child.
- What types of child care are there?Compare licensed centers, family child care homes and license-exempt care.
- How do I learn more about a child care provider?Contact a provider to learn about their program and current openings.
- What do license numbers mean, and how do I check one?Every licensed program has a license number. Use it to check inspection history.
- How do I check a provider's background and inspection history?See a provider's license status and licensing history from their profile.
- What questions should I ask when I visit a provider?Questions to ask when you call or visit a provider, and when to check their license.
- Are child care providers required to have a TB test?Yes. Licensed providers must pass a TB test and a background check.
- What is Oliver’s Law?Oliver’s Law gives California parents the right to get the licensing history of any licensed child care program.
- How do I file a complaint about a provider?Report a concern about a licensed child care program to Community Care Licensing.
Pay for Child Care
Subsidies, income limits, and help paying a relative, friend or neighbor.
- Can I Get Help Paying a Family Member, Friend, or Neighbor to Care for My Child?California subsidies for grandparents, relatives, and FFN caregivers
- Income Limits for Subsidized Child Care (FY 2026–27)
- Child Care Resources for Military Families in CaliforniaFind military child care in California including on-installation programs, fee assistance through MilitaryChildCare.com, and how to access California state benefits for service members.
- What programs are available in California to help me pay for child care?