Skip to main content
California Department of Education Logo

Child Development

There are many child care and development programs in California. These programs are for children from birth to age twelve. They offer early learning and after-school services to babies, toddlers, children in preschool, and children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Some programs assist children with disabilities and children of migrant farm workers. Many of the programs were set up to help parents with child care while they work.

Child care and development programs can provide care, education, and food for children. They are paid for with state and federal tax money, and in some cases, parent fees.

The California Department of Education helps manage several child care and development programs in California.

Program Overview
Descriptions of and budget information about child development programs administered by the Department.
Contractor Information
Resources and important information for Early Education and Support Division contractors, including Desired Results, management bulletins, forms, fiscal services, child development permits, and data reporting.
Laws, Regulations, & Requirements
Legal and regulatory requirements contained in Education Code, California Code of Regulations, Funding Terms & Conditions, Compliance Review Instrument, California School Accounting Manual, and Audit Guide.
Quality Rating and Improvement System
A Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) is a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early and school-age care and education programs.
Resources
Resources for child development contractors, families and the child care community.
Stakeholder Groups
Leadership bodies that ensure statewide collaboration among early childhood programs that will help to define future policy for children birth to kindergarten.
Share this Page
Trending in Child Development
Recently Posted in Child Development
  • SAC Meeting Dates and Locations (updated 13-Jan-2017)
    Proposed dates and locations of future meetings for the State Advisory Council on Early Learning and Care (SAC).
  • CCDBG Stakeholder Input Session (added 12-Jan-2017)
    Webinar presented on November 1, 2016, of a topical input session to receive public and stakeholder input regarding development of the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) 2017–18 Quality Improvement Expenditure Plan.
  • December 1 Minimum Wage Increase Task Force Notes (added 10-Jan-2017)
    This page contains the meeting notes from the December 1, 2016, Minimum Wage Increase Task Force Meeting.
  • December 15 Minimum Wage Increase Task Force Notes (added 10-Jan-2017)
    This page contains the meeting notes from the December 15, 2016, Minimum Wage Increase Task Force Meeting.
  • Management Bulletin 16-19 (added 10-Jan-2017)
    Management Bulletins issued by the Early Education and Support Division to clarify regulations and statutes.