Parents' Rights In Seeking Child Care

Parents' Rights

Child Action, Inc. believes that parents are best able to choose the child care that meets their particular family situation. It is our goal to provide parents with information and referrals on a full range of child care services in the Sacramento community.

Oliver's Law
California state law requires a licensed child care facility to make accessible to the public a copy of any licensing report pertaining to the facility that documents a facility visit or any substantiated or inconclusive complaint. In addition, a more complete file regarding a child care licensee may be available at an office of the State Department of Social Services Community Care Licensing Division. You have the right to access any public information in these files.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (view handout)
The intent of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) is to make locating child care less problematic for families with children with disabilities or other special needs. Under the ADA, a federal civil rights law, child care centers cannot discriminate against parents or children with special needs, nor can they charge more than they would for any other child. Child care centers and homes must be willing to make “reasonable accommodations” that meet children’s individual needs. This presents exciting opportunities to plan for and include children with disabilities or other special needs in all early childhood settings. Everyone benefits.

Child Action, Inc. strongly recommends that before placing a child in care, parents should exercise their rights and responsibilities to review a potential child care provider’s licensing history, which is available at the facility. Some programs are exempt from licensure. Ask about their complaint policies and procedures. A more complete file, including complaints or violations for licensed programs in Sacramento County, may be available at the offices listed below.

If a program is considered a “licensed exempted” program, such as a parent co-op, recreation program or community-based program, you will want to ask the program staff about their complaint policies as licensing will not have information available regarding these programs.

Child Action, Inc. provides information about providers as it is available, but does not make recommendations. The choice of child care is the parents' right and responsibility.

Licensing Contact Information:
For family children care homes, please contact Family Child Care Licensing at (916) 875-2808.
For child care centers, please contact River City Child Care Program at (916) 229-4530.