One year ago, Congress defunded public media. Now that we're 100% community funded, please become a sustaining member or increase your existing membership today.
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.
Sponsored message
Our news is free on LAist. To make sure you get our coverage: Sign up for our daily coronavirus newsletter. To support our non-profit public service journalism: Donate Now.
One year ago, Congress voted to defund public media, eliminating a critical $1.7 million from our budget every year going forward. But they couldn’t silence us, and we’re not going anywhere. LAist is now 100% community funded and that means we’re taking our future into our own hands and turning to you to keep local reporting strong.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
