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California Launches Statewide Child Care Website
A screenshot of Pasadena child care availability as of April 30, 2020 on mychildcare.ca.gov.
California parents looking for child care can now try their luck on a new website, MyChildCare.ca.gov.
“Child care is essential,” Gov. Gavin Newsom said in his daily briefing Thursday. “These are essential workers out there that need child care. We need to provide that support.”
Demand is high. The California Department of Social Services reported as of April 23, 66% of L.A. County's licensed preschools and child care centers had closed. But the majority of home-based providers remain open, and the website is designed to connect parents with them and the licensed centers that are still operating.
People can search the site using their location and then see a provider’s location, availability and inspection record. The state directed child care resource and referral agencies to upload information about provider’s availability starting April 24.
The information isn’t complete for every provider though. A quick search for child care options in Pasadena brought up 977 results, but many of them said “availability unknown.”
Essential worker parents who want a list of providers that fits their specific needs can get a free referral from one of eight child care organizations in Los Angeles County by going to this website or calling 888-922-4453 (888-92CHILD).
State legislation passed in 2018 outlined the creation of the website.
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