Before going above and beyond, it helps to understand what’s already required. These laws protect the rights of working parents in California, ensuring all businesses support families at the most basic level.
Child-Friendly Businesses Build Stronger Communities
The Child-Friendly Business Award celebrates workplaces that go above and beyond to support working families. Learn how your business can become more child-friendly—and why it matters.
Why It Matters
Workplaces that support families help everyone thrive.
When businesses adopt child-friendly policies, they don’t just help employees—they support healthier families, stronger communities, and a more stable workforce. Whether you’re a small business owner or a large employer, the changes you make can have a lasting impact.
Being a child-friendly business means doing what you can, where you can—and doing it with intention.
Congratulations to the 2025 Child-Friendly Business of the Year, CENCAL SERVICES!
“CENCAL Services, Inc. is the most Child – Friendly company I have ever worked for. Being a single mother, there are many times and situations that are out of my control and NEVER once in my five years of employment have I ever been reprimanded for being late or having to leave early for appts, etc. My daughter is welcome to come to work with my anytime. There is an empty desk that has been up in our office that she has claimed as her own when she is here.”
Past Child Friendly Business Award Winners
Celebrating Businesses That Are Raising the Bar
Each year, we recognize an exceptional business that goes above and beyond to create child-friendly workplaces. Here are the 2024 winners.
“The ability to take children to doctor appointments and still come to work, later in the day has been great … We also have paid sick leave for when our children become ill.”
“Our work is to support and encourage families to spend time with their children and to be active in their education. Flexibility has been the recurring theme for us and our team and I feel that as we continue growing, we will continue propelling the idea of “Treat People Well” in our organization. When we treat people well, we know that keeps their families well. When our staff’s families are doing well, they treat the families they serve well!”
“My work is flexible enough to be able to handle any family crisis as it happens. I can work from home if I or my children are sick. They encourage parental participation in school and daycare activities as well. There are annual family days where employees and their families are invited to do something super fun and involve the kids.”
Your Toolkit for Becoming a Child-Friendly Workplace
Not sure where to start? Our Child-Friendly Business Toolkit breaks it down into five focus areas—each with practical steps, examples, and benefits to help you take action, no matter the size of your business.
Connect families to care and explore on-site or subsidized options.
Offer adaptable schedules, hybrid models, and alternative shifts.
Make small adjustments that make a big impact—from quiet rooms to time off.
Support families with child-specific coverage and tax-advantaged savings tools.
Offer more than the minimum when possible, and support all kinds of family needs.
Find Out Where You Stand
Answer a few quick questions to see how well your business supports working families—and where you might have the opportunity to do more.
Know the Basics
In California, there are 10 laws that every working parent should know.
Click PDF to download.
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Nominations Are Open!
Nominate Your Child-Friendly Business
Know a business that goes the extra mile to support working families? Whether you’re an employee, customer, or community member, your nomination can help recognize a workplace that’s creating a better future for parents and kids.
The Child-Friendly Business Award spotlights a business that prioritizes flexibility, family support, and a healthy work-life balance. Nominations are now open—submit yours today!
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Join Us to Celebrate the 2026 Child-Friendly Business Award of the Year!
Nominations for the Child-Friendly Business Award are now closed—but the celebration is just beginning. Join us as we honor this year’s winners at the Fresno County Chamber of Commerce’s annual Valley Business Awards, where business excellence and community commitment take center stage.
Celebrate the employers making a difference for working families—and be inspired to take the next step in your own workplace.
The Child-Friendly Business Award is proudly presented by First 5 Fresno County as part of the Valley Business Awards, hosted by the Fresno Chamber of Commerce.