1. What should I know about Licensing On-Site COVID-safety inspections? (Last Reviewed 5/23/22)
Note: The PIN that gives Licensing the authority to have on-site COVID-safety instructions will expire June 30, 2022. See PIN 22-16-CCP. Community Care Licensing Division says they will work with providers to adjust back to operations before the COVID-19 waivers began. Find a regional Community Care Licensing Division Child Care Office here.
LPAs will assess if providers are following previous health and safety requirements, as well as the current COVID-19 safety guidelines. PIN 21-08 CCLC says that providers must follow COVID-19 requirements and guidance in all California Department of Social Services (CDSS) PINs and All County Information Notices (ACINs), in addition to guidance or instructions from health care providers, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), California Department of Public Health (CDPH), Department of Developmental Services (DDS), California Department of Industrial Relations Division of Occupational Safety & Health (Cal/OSHA), and local public health departments. If sources provide different guidance, providers must follow the guidance that is more strict.
This PIN gives the newest guidance from Licensing about COVID-19 safety measures: PIN 21-08 CCP.
2. What are tele-visits and will I receive one? (Last Reviewed 11/23/21)
Tele-visits are phone calls from Community Care Licensing (Licensing), to provide technical assistance to child care providers. Tele-visits are for all providers who are currently caring for children, plan to reopen soon or would just like some assistance.
Tele-visits are not tele-inspections, which are for pre-licensing inspections. For information about tele-inspections, see Question #3 “What are tele-inspections?” The purpose of the tele-visits is to provide technical assistance and support, not enforcement. They are a time for Licensing to give advice, connect with providers, and answer any questions you may have.
Licensing will be sending emails to providers to schedule the tele-visit. Weekend and evening calls are available. The email will also include a self-assessment checklist; mandatory postings and resources from other government agencies. The tele-visits are NOT mandatory to reopen. You can reopen before having a tele-visit. But Licensing is asking that Providers contact their local Child Care Regional Office when they do reopen.
Licensing began tele-visits for both Family Child Care Homes and Child Care Centers. However, tele-visits for Child Care Centers will now take place first. If you have questions or would like to schedule your tele-visit, contact your local Child Care Regional Office.
3. What are tele-inspections? (Last Reviewed 11/23/21)
Beginning March 26, 2020 Community Care Licensing (Licensing) began to conduct tele-inspections for pre-licensing inspections of family child care homes and center based child care facilities. A tele-inspection is the use of video conferencing to conduct a site inspection, assessment or visit remotely.
Tele-inspections are different from tele-visits. Tele-visits are informational visits that licensing will be conducting with all providers, in order to give advice and answer questions. See Question #2 “What are tele-visits and will I receive one?” for more information about tele-visits.
Facility inspections and other required visits can be completed using one of the video conferencing resources here. Providers are encouraged to test and identify, before the tele-inspection, the best virtual video conferencing resource to use. A phone call or conference call can not be used to complete the requirements of the tele-inspection.
Licensing Program Analysts (LPAs) will be in contact with individual providers to ensure a facility inspection can be completed in this manner and will work with the licensee to choose the best platform to complete a virtual video conference.
