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Family Child Care in Redwood City: 98A.Ir3l <br />Family child care homes are an important community resource for working families, and, by <br />definition, are located in residential areas. Redwood City encourages family child pare home <br />providers and their neighbors to work together to create a positive community atmosphere. State <br />Law requires cities to approve large family child care homes as long as they meet conditions <br />adopted by the City only as they pertain to traffic, parking, noise, and concentration. <br />What are family child care homes and how are they regulated? <br />Family child care homes (also called family day care) are licensed by the Community Care Licensing <br />Division of the California Department of Social Services. Licensing regulations address health and <br />safety issues related to the care and supervision of children from infancy to 12 years of age. Family <br />child care does not include foster care, child care centers or preschools, as defined by the State. <br />Family child care is provided in the licensee's residence (owned or rented), and is considered a <br />residential (not commercial) use of the property. <br />"Small" family child care homes for up to six children (with two additional school -age children <br />permitted under certain conditions) must be allowed by cities in all residential areas. "Large" family <br />child care homes care for 7 to 12 children, including the providers own children under age 10 (with <br />two additional school -age children allowed under certain conditions), with an assistant, and require a <br />Large Family Child Care Home Use Permit from the City. Also the large family child care home must <br />pay a business tax as would any other business in Redwood City. Small family child care homes are <br />not required to pay a business tax or obtain a Use Permit from the City. <br />All family child care homes require a home inspection by the City's Fire Marshall. <br />How do family child care homes operate? <br />Although individual family child care home providers determine their own program services, hours, <br />parent fees, etc., most operate weekdays from around 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Since parents' work <br />schedules differ, children usually arrive over a period of two or three hours in the morning and leave <br />over a similar period in the late afternoon. This natural staggering reduces the number of vehicles <br />likely to stop at the home at one time, as does siblings or carpoolers arriving together. Parents are <br />encouraged to escort children safely to and from cars to the home. Families living in the same <br />neighborhood may walk their child(ren) to the home. <br />While children are in care, the child care provider is responsible for their supervision at all times, <br />including indoor activities, outdoor play, and on walks or vehicle trips away from the home. <br />Would you like more information? <br />If you have questions or concerns regarding this proposed family child care home, you are <br />encouraged to first contact the resident/licensee. You may also contact the following individuals or <br />agencies for information or assistance: <br />• Redwood City Child Care Coordinator. (650) 780 -7336 <br />■ California Community Care Licensing Office in San Bruno: (650) 266 -8843 <br />• Redwood City Finance Department (Business Tax): (650) 780 -7214 <br />■ Redwood City Planning Services (Use Permit): (650) 780 -7234 <br />■ Redwood City Fire Department (Fire Inspection): (650) 780 -7807 <br />