Having a child care service can be fulfilling, challenging, and rewarding work. However, before you can do anything else, you must be aware of the basic laws surrounding child care services in California. Here’s what you need to know about getting a Los Angeles business license, insurance, and more.
Personal Liability Protection
Regardless of the type of business entity you are choosing to operate under, you’ll want to consider either a corporation or a limited liability company (LLC). Both of these offer protection from personal liability should one of the children you’re caring for become injured while on your premises.
Employment
If you plan to have employees, you will need to be aware of issues surrounding employment law. For example, you should only ask questions at employment interviews that are allowed by law and useful for your hiring needs. You also shouldn’t include illegal questions on any job application.
Another facet of employment law is training. Employees should be trained according to California state requirements, including health training such as first aid and pediatric CPR.
Insurance
Because operating any child care business carries particular risks associated with infant and child health and safety, it’s important to ensure you obtain the right insurance coverage. Choosing an agent with prior knowledge and experience writing insurance policies for child care businesses is best because they will know which kinds of coverage you’ll require.
Safety
California has extensive regulations to ensure the health and safety of children in child care. You’ll want to be prepared to read many pages of procedure and policy. Some of the areas of regulation you’ll need to be aware of include requirements for financial records and food service. Other regulations include staff to child ratios, play area and toy safety, transportation, and napping, but this list is by no means exhaustive.
Licensing
The Department of Social Service’s Child Care Licensing Division processes the licensing of all child care centers in California. It is a serious offense punishable by significant penalties to operate any type of child care business without a license.
However, before even applying for a business license, anyone wishing to run a child care service must schedule, pay for, and attend an orientation session. Once you have completed the session, you must complete an application for licensing.
You will be expected to supply information, which includes ownership of the property on which child care services will be provided and the age of the children who will attend.
An application fee will also need to be paid. However, the amount will depend on how many children you said you’d be caring for on your application.
Order Your Child Care Permits and Licenses Directly
If you want a city of Los Angeles business license to offer child care, visit FastFilings. In just three easy steps, we will expedite the permits and licenses you need without any hassles or headaches. Visit us online to get started.
