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The information you need to find child care you can trust. - My Child Care Plan

The information you need to find child care you can trust. - My Child Care Plan

Phone number
1-800-543-7793
Category
Children
Auto tags
Eligibility
Families in California seeking child care
Auto Summary
California's free statewide tool to find licensed child care you can trust, run by the California Child Care Resource & Referral Network (covering all 58 counties). Answer a short 5-question survey to match with licensed providers near you, save a personalized plan, and connect to your county's local Resource & Referral agency for one-on-one help. No income limit to search; subsidy info built in if you qualify. Free Child Care Education Hotline: 1-800-543-7793. Verified 2026-05-30
Value
Free tool to find quality licensed child care providers in California by answering a quick survey
Espanol
Mi Plan de Cuidado Infantil - La información que necesita para encontrar cuidado infantil de confianza. Una red de agencias de recursos y referencias de cuidado infantil en California ayuda a las familias a encontrar opciones de cuidado infantil de calidad y asequibles respondiendo unas simples preguntas.
URL
https://mychildcareplan.org/
Last verified 2026-05-17
My Child Care Plan is California's free statewide tool to find licensed child care you can trust. It is run by the California Child Care Resource & Referral Network, a nonprofit covering all 58 counties.

Who can use it

  • Any family in California looking for child care — infant, toddler, preschool, after-school, special needs, or non-traditional hours.
  • No income limit to use the search. Financial-help info is built in if you qualify for subsidized care.

What you get

  • A short 5-question survey that matches you to licensed providers near you.
  • A saved plan you can come back to and update as your child grows.
  • Provider profiles showing openings, languages spoken, ages served, and care approach.
  • Direct connection to your county's local Resource & Referral (R&R) agency for one-on-one help.

How to use it

  1. Go to mychildcareplan.org and click Get Started.
  1. Answer the 5 questions (child's age, your city, schedule, priorities, contact info).
  1. Review matched providers. Save your plan to revisit later.
  1. Call providers directly to ask questions and tour.
  1. If you want a person to help: call the Child Care Education Hotline at 1-800-543-7793, or contact your local R&R agency below.

Local R&R agencies (Nevada County area)

  • Nevada County: Sierra Nevada Children's Services
  • Sierra County: Sierra Nevada Children's Services
  • Placer County: Placer County Office of Education — ECE
  • Yuba County: Children's Home Society of California
Find your county's R&R: mychildcareplan.org/local-rr-directory/

Questions to ask a provider

  • Are you licensed by California Community Care Licensing? (Ask for the license number.)
  • What is your daily schedule and ratio of adults to children?
  • How do you handle illness, discipline, and emergencies?
  • What does it cost, and do you accept subsidies?
  • Can I see your most recent licensing inspection report?
The site has a full interview-questions guide at mychildcareplan.org/resource/child-care-interview-questions/.

Common pitfalls

  • Unlicensed care. Anyone caring for children from more than one unrelated family must be licensed. Always verify the license at the California Department of Social Services site: ccld.dss.ca.gov.
  • Waitlists. Quality programs often have months-long waitlists. Start your search early in pregnancy or as soon as you know your schedule.
  • Subsidies take time. If you qualify for help paying, apply through your local R&R while you search — eligibility and waitlist times vary by county.

Sources

  • rrnetwork.org — California Child Care Resource & Referral Network (accessed 2026-05-17)