Family day home care is the most common form of child care in this country, especially for younger children. Parents may choose family child care for its intimate, home-like setting, flexible hours, consistency of care-giver, and small group size.

The Code of Virginia mandates the licensure of family day homes that provide care for six to twelve children (exclusive of the provider's own children and any children who reside in the home). The care may be offered in the home of the provider or in the home of any of the children in care.

During the (less than 24 hour) absence of a parent or guardian, the licensed family day home provider assumes responsibility for the supervision, protection, and well-being of a child under 13 years of age.

Licensing standards, which are proposed by the State Board of Social Services and enforced by the Division of Licensing Programs, ensure that the activities, services, and facilities of the family day home are conducive to the welfare of the children in care.

Applicable Regulations

• Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies (effective 09/2006) (PDF)
• General Procedures and Information for Licensure (effective 02/2011) (PDF)
• Standards for Licensed Family Day Homes with Interpretation Guidelines (Interpretation Guidelines updated March, 2011) (PDF)

Technical Assistance

• Technical Assistance for Regulation of Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies & Child Day Centers (updated 06/2009) (PDF)
• Technical Assistance for General Procedures and Information for Licensure (effective 09/2009) (PDF)

Applicable Code of Virginia References

• Code of Virginia: Title 63.2 - Welfare (Social Services) 07/2012 (PDF)

Becoming Licensed

• Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
• Read First Knowledge Center Certificate Error (PDF)
• Step 1: FDH Licensing Information - Overview (PDF)
• Step 2: FDH Getting Started - Registration in the Knowledge Center (PDF)
• Step 3: Completing FDH Phase 1 On-line in the Knowledge Center (PDF)
• Study Guide, FDH Phase 1 (PDF)

Licensure Packet (new applicants only)

• Background Checks - CPS Central Registry Clearance (PDF)
• Background Checks - Criminal Record Checks Link to VA State Police (PDF)
• Background Checks - Sworn Disclosure or Affirmation (PDF)
• Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies (PDF)
• FDH - Liability Insurance Disclaimer (PDF)
• FDH - Licensure Packet Order Form (PDF)
• IRS - Child Care Tax Center (Web page)
• Licensing Office - Contact Information (PDF)
• MAT (Medication Administration Training) - Information Sheet (PDF)
• MAT (Medication Administration Training) - Next Steps (PDF)
• PMAT Information Sheet (PDF)
• Phase 2 Licensed Family Day Homes' Forms Packet List (PDF)
• Policy for the Administration of Medication (PDF)
• Report of Tuberculosis (TB) Screening (PDF)
• Standards for Licensed Family Day Homes with Interpretation Guidelines (PDF)
• Virginia CACFP Sponsors (USDA Information) (PDF)
• Virginia Department of Business Assistance (Web page)

Application Forms

• Budget for Licensed Family Day Homes and Independent Foster Homes (DOC)
• Budget for Licensed Family Day Homes and Independent Foster Homes (PDF)
• Contact with Zoning Administrator (PDF)
• FDH Addendum (PDF)
• Initial Application (DOC)
• Initial Application (PDF)
• Instructions Initial Application for Licensure (PDF)
• Personal Qualifying Information (PDF)
• Staff Information Sheet (PDF)
• Staff Information Sheet (DOC)

Notices

• 2013/05/06: New Medication Training Requirements for Child Day Programs (PDF)
• 2013/04/01: The Influence of Culture on Care Giving (PDF)
• 2013/04/01: Preparing for Summer Training (PDF)
• 2013/03/20: Legislative Changes to Financial Responsibility Reporting Requirements & Applications for Licensure (PDF)
• 2012/11/27: VDSS Memo to Providers Concerning - Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Mandatory Standards for Cribs (PDF)
• 2012/07/02: Changes to Child Protective Services Mandated Reporting Law (PDF)
• 2012/06/28: Revised Sworn Disclosure Form (PDF)
• 2012/06/08: Legislative Update, 2012 (PDF)
• 2011/10/28: Inspection Protocol for Licensed Child Day Programs (PDF)
• 2011/09/12: Emergency Preparedness: Earthquake Safety Checklist & Helping Children Cope with Disaster (PDF)
• 2011/04/12: Crib Standards - An Information Sheet for Child Care Providers (PDF)
• 2011/04/04: Updated Documentation for Immunizations (PDF)
• 2011/04/01: New Family Day Home Interpretation Guidelines (PDF)
• 2010/06/25: Shaken Baby Syndrome (Web page)

Background Investigations

• Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies (effective 09/2006) (PDF)
• Barrier Crimes (PDF)
• Criminal Background Checks (conducted by Virginia State Police) (Web page)
• Request for Search of the Child Protective Services (CPS) Central Registry - ($7.00 Search Fee) (DOC)
• Request for Search of the Child Protective Services (CPS) Central Registry - ($7.00 Search Fee) (PDF)
• Sworn Statement or Affirmation for Child Day Programs (PDF)
• Technical Assistance for Regulation of Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies & Child Day Centers (updated 06/2009) (PDF)

Guidance & Procedures

• Criteria for Training (PDF)
• Fire Extinguishers and Smoke Detectors (PDF)
• Inspection Protocol for Licensed Child Day Programs (PDF)
• Key Health & Safety Standards Subject to Risk Ratings (PDF)
• Performance Standardization Guidance for Licensure (effective 08/01/11) (PDF)
• Risk Assessment Guidance Manual (Revised 10/24/07) (PDF)
• Risk Assessment Matrix (PDF)

Forms

Renewal

• Contact with Zoning Administrator (PDF)
• FDH Addendum (PDF)
• Instructions: Renewal Application for Licensure (PDF)
• Renewal Application (DOC)
• Renewal Application (PDF)
• Staff Information Sheet (PDF)
• Staff Information Sheet (DOC)

All Other

• Assistant/Substitute Provider Record (PDF)
• Authorization to Apply a Non-Prescription Topical Skin Product (PDF)
• Caregiver Reference (PDF)
• Checklist for Adult Household Members (PDF)
• Child's Record (PDF)
• Documentation of Assistant & Substitute Provider Orientation Training (PDF)
• Emergency Preparedness & Response Plan (PDF)
• General Permission for Regularly Scheduled Trips (PDF)
• Information for Parents (PDF)
• Injury Record (PDF)
• Liability Insurance Declaration (PDF)
• Medication Administration Log for Child Day Programs - Individual Child (PDF)
• Medication Administration Log for Child Day Programs - Multiple Children (PDF)
• Medication Authorization (PDF)
• Permission to Participate in Swimming or Wading Activities (PDF)
• Policy for the Administration of Medications (PDF)
• Provider Record Checklist (PDF)
• Provisions of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (PDF)
• Publication Order (PDF)
• Record of Annual Training (PDF)
• Record of Daily Attendance (PDF)
• Record of Emergency Response Drills (PDF)
• Report of Tuberculosis Screening Evaluation (PDF)
• Request for Search of the Child Protective Services (CPS) Central Registry - ($7.00 Search Fee) (DOC)
• Request for Search of the Child Protective Services (CPS) Central Registry - ($7.00 Search Fee) (PDF)
• School Entrance Health (Web page)
• Special Field Trip Permission (PDF)
• Staffing Recommendations for a Child with Special Needs (PDF)
• Substitute Provider Time Sheet (PDF)
• Sworn Statement or Affirmation for Child Day Programs (PDF)
• Weekly Menu (PDF)

Additional Resources

• Child Day Care Provider Training & Development (Web page)
• Vendor Guidelines for Child Day Care Assistance (Web page)