CDSS Child Care Licensing
California writes home capacity as age mixes rather than one ratio. A small family child care home chooses between 4 infants only; 6 children with at most 3 infants; or 8 children with at most 2 infants plus two school-age children under the HSC 1597.44 conditions. A large home runs 12 with up to 4 infants, or 14 with at most 3 infants and 2 school-age children, and needs an assistant above 8 children present.
Your own children: count toward these caps (under 10 years).
With an assistant: an additional adult is required above 8 children. No more than 14 children in care at once
Your own children: count toward these caps (under 10 years).
Infant means under 24 months here, and every mix includes the licensee's own children under 10. The capacity ceilings are absolute: 8 for a small home and 14 for a large home, whatever the mix.
Homes are capped by mix, not a ratio line: at most 4 infants alone, 3 infants inside a group of 6, or 2 infants inside a group of 8 for small homes, per 22 CCR 102416.5(b).
Whenever more than 8 children are in care, per 22 CCR 102416.5(e), and always for the 13th and 14th child under the statutory conditions.
Yes. Children under age 10 who live in the home count in every capacity mix on both tiers.
DaycareRules is an informational reference about home child care licensing rules in the United States. It reprints thresholds, capacity limits, ratios and citations from state statutes and regulations, together with the date each state was last verified. Nothing on this site is legal advice, and rules change. Confirm with your state licensing agency before acting on any number printed here.