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Know Your Rights
Know Your Rights as a Parent
Oliver was a young boy who died of injuries he received while in the care of a child care provider. Had Oliver’s parents known of their right to obtain complaint information on the child care facility, they would have found that the facility had many complaints on file. They would have chosen different care and saved Oliver’s life.
Oliver’s parents worked hard to get a law passed, in January of 2000, requiring all resource and referral agencies and alternative payment programs throughout the state of California to inform parents of their right to access the files of providers they are considering.
The Purpose of Oliver’s Law
- To empower and inform parents and guardians who need child care services
- To encourage parents to review the safety of the child care program or facility
- To encourage parents to evaluate the program’s ability to meet the needs of their child
Licensed child care facilities have been required to keep complaint information on file since 1997. They are required to present this information to a parent when asked. This gives the parent and provider an opportunity to discuss sensitive issues, including any changes that have been made in response to a complaint. It also gives providers a chance to tell their side of the story.
If a parent is uncomfortable about asking a provider or is concerned about complaints that occurred before 1997, he or she can review files at Community Care Licensing (CCL). The Fresno Office of Community Care Licensing can be reached at (559) 243-4588.