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The Virginia Department of Education is now responsible for overseeing child care and early education programs. Information and resources related to child care licensing, the Child Care Subsidy Program, and professional development may be found at www.childcareva.com.
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 five through 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.
A family day home caring for more than four children under the age of two, including the provider's own children and any children who reside in the home, shall be licensed or voluntarily registered. A family day home where the children in care are all related to the provider by blood or marriage shall not be required to be licensed.
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
Regulations & Code References
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Regulations
- Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies (PDF)
- COVID-19 FDH Leniency List (PDF)
- COVID-19 Guidelines and Information for Child Care Operations (Revised April 12, 2021) (PDF)
- General Procedures and Information for Licensure (PDF)
- Replacement Pages for General Procedures and Information for Licensure (PDF)
- Standards for Licensed Family Day Homes (PDF)
Applicable Code of Virginia References
Background Investigations
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Forms
- Request for Search of the Child Protective Services (CPS) Central Registry (PDF)
- Sworn Statement or Affirmation for Child Day Programs (PDF)
Documents & Procedures
- Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies (PDF)
- Background Investigation Procedures Child Day Care Programs (PDF)
- Barrier Crimes (PDF)
- Convictions Requiring Registration in the Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry
- Other States - Instructions for Out of State CPS Searches (PDF)
- Other States - Interstate Child Care Background Check Contact List (PDF)
- State Police Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry
New FDH Applicants
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Becoming Licensed
- 1 - FDH Welcome Letter (PDF)
- 2 - Steps to Apply for Initial FDH License (PDF)
- 3 - Important Notice Regarding Forms and Resources for New Applicants (PDF)
- Licensing Offices Contact Information (PDF)
- More Tips for Completing the Pre-Application Training for Family Day Home - Phase 1 (PDF)
- Pre-Application Training for Family Day Homes - Phase 1 (PDF)
- Pre-Licensure Orientation - Phase 2 (Next Step) (PDF)
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 Initial Application (PDF)
- FDH State of Emergency Initial Application (PDF)
- Report of Turberculosis Screening Evaluation (PDF)
Additional Resources
Current FDH Providers (includes forms)
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Notices
- 2021/06/15: Preparing for Hurricane Season (PDF)
- 2021/06/11: Transition of Child Care Programs from DSS to DOE on July 1, 2021 (PDF)
- 2021/06/04: Notice of Public Hearing- Child Care and Development Fund (CCDF) Plan for FFY 2022-2024 (PDF)
- 2021/05/28: Executive Order Seventy-Nine- Face Mask Clarification (PDF)
- 2021/05/14: Seventh Amended Executive Order Seventy-Two and Order of Public Health Emergency 9 - Updates to Social Gathering Limits (PDF)
- 2021/05/10: Happy Early Childhood Professionals Day! (PDF)
- 2021/05/07: Transition of Child Care Programs from DSS to DOE (PDF)
- 2021/05/03: Spring Provider Training - Eastern Region (PDF)
- 2021/04/21: Public Comment- Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers (22VAC40-185) (PDF)
- 2021/04/19: Child Care Grants 4th Round Announcement (PDF)
- 2021/04/15: Updated Child Care Guidelines and FAQs (PDF)
- 2021/03/18: TIME SENSITIVE - Governor’s Office Vaccine Survey (PDF)
- 2021/03/18: Revised Child Care Applications (PDF)
- 2021/03/05: Quarantine Updates for Certain Individuals (PDF)
- 2021/02/17: Emergency Preparedness-Severe Winter Weather (PDF)
- 2021/01/25: CACFP Mondays at 1: Ask the Experts! (PDF)
- 2021/01/08: Virginia Early Childhood Family Survey (PDF)
- 2020/12/30: Updated Phase III Documents (PDF)
- 2020/12/09: VDSS Division of Licensing Programs Onsite Inspections - COVID-19 Safety and Health Precautions (PDF)
- 2020/12/08: PPE Push Pack Distribution (PDF)
- 2020/11/20: Updated Information and Guidelines for Child Care in Phase III and Updated Child Care FAQ (PDF)
- 2020/08/21: Fingerprint Based Background Checks-Payment by VDSS Extended (PDF)
- 2020/07/31: VDOLI Emergency Temporary Standard (PDF)
- 2020/07/17: FDA Issues a Hand Sanitizer Alert (PDF)
- 2020/07/01: Updated Child Care FAQ (PDF)
- 2020/06/26: 2020 Legislative Implementation (PDF)
- 2020/06/25: Phase III Guidelines and Information for Child Care (PDF)
- 2020/06/02: Phase II Guidelines and Information for Child Care (PDF)
- 2020/05/13: Phase I Guidelines and Information for Child Care (PDF)
- 2020/04/15: Licensing Waivers During Virginia’s State of Emergency-COVID-19 (PDF)
- 2020/04/10: COVID-19 Updated FAQ, Essential Business Status (PDF)
- 2020/03/31: Update - Joint Guidance for Emergency Childcare (PDF)
- 2020/03/31: COVID-19 - Updated Child Care FAQ (PDF)
- 2020/03/25: Procedures of Fieldprint Site Closures (PDF)
- 2020/03/20: Child Care COVID-19 Frequently Asked Questions (PDF)
- 2020/03/19: Child Care Guidance letter issued by VDSS Commissioner Duke Storen (PDF)
- 2020/03/11: VDH-Interim Guidance- Coronavirus: Considerations for Childcare Programs & K-12 Schools (PDF)
- 2020/02/03: Virginia Department of Health- Information on the Coronavirus (PDF)
- 2019/06/19: Fingerprint Communication 9 (PDF)
- 2019/03/18: Annual Health and Safety Update Training (PDF)
- 2018/08/22: Central Registry Update and Tip Sheet (PDF)
- 2018/08/08: Fingerprint Implementation Memo # 8 (PDF)
- 2018/04/26: Central Registry System Update (PDF)
- 2018/04/19: Fingerprint Memo (PDF)
- 2018/03/19: Fingerprinting Memo (PDF)
- 2018/01/19: Updated Timing of Fingerprint Checks (PDF)
- 2018/01/17: OBI Screening Fingerprint Communication Memo #6 (PDF)
- 2018/01/11: Fieldprint Fingerprint Communication Memo # 5 (PDF)
- 2018/01/11: Fieldprint Fingerprint Communication Memo # 4 (PDF)
- 2017/10/20: Updated USDA Requirements (PDF)
- 2017/10/12: Fingerprint Implementation Memo #3 (PDF)
- 2017/07/24: Fingerprint Based Background Checks for Child Day Programs - #2 (PDF)
- 2017/06/28: Child Care Legislative Update House Bill 1568 (PDF)
- 2017/06/28: Child Care Legisative Update Senate Bill 1008 (PDF)
- 2017/06/28: Child Care Legisative Update - SB1008 and HB1568 (PDF)
Documents & Procedures
Forms
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Renewal
- Contact with Zoning Administrator (PDF)
- FDH Renewal Application (PDF)
- Supplemental Staff Information (PDF)
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)
- License Modification Request for Facility Change of Location (PDF)
- Medication Administration - Decision to Administer (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)
- Provider Record Checklist (PDF)
- Provisions of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (PDF)
- Publication Order Form (PDF)
- Record of Annual Training (PDF)
- Record of Daily Attendance (PDF)
- Record of Emergency Response Drills (PDF)
- Report of Tuberculosis Screening Evaluation (PDF)
- School Entrance Health Form
- Special Field Trip Permission (PDF)
- Staffing Recommendations for a Child with Special Needs (PDF)
- Substitute Provider Time Sheet (PDF)
- Weekly Menu (PDF)
Additional Resources
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Administration
- touts home (CGI)
- touts (CGI)
- sm prototype (CGI)
- robots (TXT)
- pebt (CGI)
- needhelp (CGI)
- index-3 (HTML)
- index (CGI)
- index (HTML)
- html page list (TXT)
- gss (XSL)
- googlec9ff7e2c703dc3b3 (HTML)
- google5e751bf1390253bd (HTML)
- google2 (HTML)
- google111220 (BAK)
- google (BAK)
- google (HTML)
- favicon (ICO)
- families (CGI)
- children (CGI)
- child of index (HTML)
- cgo page list (TXT)
- applyonline (CGI)
- adults (CGI)
- 1
Staff Qualifications and Training
- 1
- adults (CGI)
- applyonline (CGI)
- cgo page list (TXT)
- child of index (HTML)
- children (CGI)
- families (CGI)
- favicon (ICO)
- google (HTML)
- google (BAK)
- google111220 (BAK)
- google2 (HTML)
- google5e751bf1390253bd (HTML)
- googlec9ff7e2c703dc3b3 (HTML)
- gss (XSL)
- html page list (TXT)
- index (HTML)
- index (CGI)
- index-3 (HTML)
- needhelp (CGI)
- pebt (CGI)
- robots (TXT)
- sm prototype (CGI)
- touts (CGI)
- touts home (CGI)
Programs
- 1
- adults (CGI)
- applyonline (CGI)
- cgo page list (TXT)
- child of index (HTML)
- children (CGI)
- families (CGI)
- favicon (ICO)
- google (HTML)
- google (BAK)
- google111220 (BAK)
- google2 (HTML)
- google5e751bf1390253bd (HTML)
- googlec9ff7e2c703dc3b3 (HTML)
- gss (XSL)
- html page list (TXT)
- index (HTML)
- index (CGI)
- index-3 (HTML)
- needhelp (CGI)
- pebt (CGI)
- robots (TXT)
- sm prototype (CGI)
- touts (CGI)
- touts home (CGI)
Special Care Provisions and Emergencies
- 1
- adults (CGI)
- applyonline (CGI)
- cgo page list (TXT)
- child of index (HTML)
- children (CGI)
- families (CGI)
- favicon (ICO)
- google (HTML)
- google (BAK)
- google111220 (BAK)
- google2 (HTML)
- google5e751bf1390253bd (HTML)
- googlec9ff7e2c703dc3b3 (HTML)
- gss (XSL)
- html page list (TXT)
- index (HTML)
- index (CGI)
- index-3 (HTML)
- needhelp (CGI)
- pebt (CGI)
- robots (TXT)
- sm prototype (CGI)
- touts (CGI)
- touts home (CGI)
-
- touts home (CGI)
- touts (CGI)
- sm prototype (CGI)
- robots (TXT)
- pebt (CGI)
- needhelp (CGI)
- index-3 (HTML)
- index (CGI)
- index (HTML)
- html page list (TXT)
- gss (XSL)
- googlec9ff7e2c703dc3b3 (HTML)
- google5e751bf1390253bd (HTML)
- google2 (HTML)
- google111220 (BAK)
- google (BAK)
- google (HTML)
- favicon (ICO)
- families (CGI)
- children (CGI)
- child of index (HTML)
- cgo page list (TXT)
- applyonline (CGI)
- adults (CGI)
- 1