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Child Lane

EIN 33-0061885 · Signal Hill, CA

Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.

LegitimacyPassesRegistration and standingFinancial healthFair51 out of 100GovernanceStrong100 out of 100Impact evidenceDescribes programsHow well its results are evidenced

What it says it does

CHILD LANE PROVIDES CARE IN AN ENVIRONMENT WHERE PLAY IS VALUED AND CHILDREN ARE SUPPORTED TO REACH THEIR FULL POTENTIAL.

Income
$18.7 million
Spending
$18.5 million
Spent on programs
92%
Reserves
0.3 months of spending
Largest source of income
fees for its services, 97%
Employees
123
Volunteers
63
Highest pay
$142,560, executive director

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Financial health

Fair: 51 out of 100. Higher than 30% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Reserves

    4 of 35

    Spendable reserves would cover 0.3 months of spending.

  • Debt

    5 of 20

    It owes 71% of what it owns.

  • Living within its means

    12 of 15

    Income exceeded spending by 1% of income.

  • Income trend

    15 of 15

    Income rose 10% on the year before.

  • Spending floor

    15 of 15

    92% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 4 cents.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Governance

Strong: 100 out of 100. Higher than 35% of charities in its peer group (human services, $10m to $100m).

  • Independent board

    25 of 25

    9 of 9 voting board members are independent.

  • Conflict of interest policy

    15 of 15

    Has a written conflict of interest policy.

  • Whistleblower policy

    8 of 8

    Has a written whistleblower policy.

  • Record keeping policy

    7 of 7

    Has a written policy on keeping and destroying records.

  • Board minutes

    5 of 5

    Keeps minutes of board meetings.

  • Board sees the tax return

    10 of 10

    Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.

  • Pay set independently

    5 of 5

    Sets its chief executive's pay through independent review and comparison.

  • Independent check of accounts

    15 of 15

    Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.

  • No reported misuse

    10 of 10

    Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Impact evidence

Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.

Programs described in its return (2)
  1. $11.4 million spent. PROVIDE EARLY CARE AND EDUCATION FOR CHILDREN OF LOW-INCOME FAMILIES WHO ARE WORKING OR IN VOCATIONAL TRAINING. FAMILIES AT RISK FOR ABUSE OR NEGLECT ARE ALSO ELIGIBLE. QUALIFIED TEACHERS CERTIFIED BY THE CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION, ALONG WITH ADDITIONAL SUPPORT STAFF, WORK WITH CHILDREN IN AN ENRICHED, NURTURING, AND DEVELOPMENTALLY APPROPRIATE ENVIRONMENT IN CHILD LANE'S ECE CENTERS AND IN A NETWORK OF LICENSED FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES. CHILDREN ARE ENGAGED IN DAILY HANDS-ON, ACTIVE, PARTICIPATORY LEARNING ACTIVITIES THAT ENCOURAGE PLAY, EXPLORATION, AND RELATIONSHIP BUILDING. PARENTS ARE ASSISTED WITH REFERRALS TO COMMUNITY RESOURCES AND PUBLIC BENEFITS AND OFFERED INDIVIDUAL COACHING ON CHILD DEVELOPMENT, PARENTING, AND LIFE SKILLS. CHILDREN RANGE IN AGE FROM BIRTH TO THIRTEEN YEARS.
  2. $5.6 million spent. SPONSOR OF THE CHILD AND ADULT CARE FOOD PROGRAM (CACFP), WHICH SUPPORTS HEALTHY MEALS AND SNACKS SERVED IN FAMILY CHILD CARE HOMES. LICENSED FAMILY CHILD CARE PROVIDERS ARE RECRUITED, TRAINED, MONITORED, AND REIMBURSED FOR NUTRITIOUS MEALS AND SNACKS SERVED DAILY THAT MEET FEDERAL FOOD GUIDELINES APPROPRIATE FOR YOUNG CHILDREN. HEALTHY MEALS AND SNACKS ARE PROVIDED FOR CHILDREN IN CHILD LANE'S ECE CENTERS.

Source: Form 990 for the year ending June 30, 2025, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate

Legitimacy checks

  1. Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.

    Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  2. Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.

    Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.

    Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 30, 2026.

  3. Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.

    On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.

    Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 10, 2026.

  4. Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.

    Most recent return on file covers the year ending June 2025.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  5. How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.

    Recognized by the IRS since October 1989.

    Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated September 7, 2026.

  6. Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.

    Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.

    Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated October 7, 2026.

Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.