← All guides · California licensing guide · Search California
California Daycare Violations, Explained
California's Community Care Licensing (Department of Social Services) records each visit and grades cited deficiencies as Type A or Type B on a facility's public record. Not all actions are equal — here's what each of California's terms means and how much weight to give it. For the general concepts across states, see violations explained.
Type A citation
SevereA deficiency posing an immediate or substantial risk to a child's health, safety, or personal rights — the most serious citation category.
Type B citation
SeriousA less-serious deficiency that still must be corrected by a deadline.
Complaint investigation
Read closelyThe state investigated a complaint. The record shows a visit occurred; the finding may be substantiated or not — read the report.
Civil penalty
SeriousA monetary fine assessed for a deficiency, often for uncorrected or repeat violations.
Licensing probation / conditions
SevereThe facility operates under a probationary or conditional license after serious problems, with closer oversight.
Revocation or exclusion
SevereThe state revoked the license, or excluded an individual from the facility — the strongest actions.
Read the actual record
A count of actions tells you little on its own — one old paperwork correction can matter less than a serious finding you never checked. Look up any provider on Childcare Alerts to see its actions in plain English, then confirm on California Community Care Licensing Facility Search ↗.
Search California providers → California licensing guide →
Severity labels are Childcare Alerts's plain-English guidance, not legal advice. The official California record always controls, and the absence of a record is not a guarantee of safety.