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.
The Code of Virginia requires licensure of any person who approves family day care homes as a member of its system and who refers children to available day care homes in that system.
The system refers children to member homes, as well as provides the operators with training, technical assistance and consultation, inspection, supervision, and monitoring. The system is also responsible for referring children to available health and social services.
The system is inspected at least twice a year by licensing inspectors. Regulations require the system to visit member homes quarterly (two visits must be unannounced) to ensure compliance with the system's policies and procedures. Licensing inspectors may make unannounced visits to member homes at any time.
A member home of a system may provide child day care for a maximum of 9 children. The operator of the home is subject to the same requirements for criminal record checks, child abuse/neglect central registry checks, and tuberculosis screenings as a licensed family day home provider.
The only licensed Family Day Home System in Virginia is operated by Infant/Toddler Family Day Care. More information about this system can be found on their website, http://www.infanttoddler.com
Regulations & Code References
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Regulations
- Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies (PDF)
- COVID-19 Guidelines and Information for Child Care Operations (Revised April 12, 2021) (PDF)
- General Procedures and Information for Licensure (PDF)
- Minimum Standards for Family Day-Care Systems (PDF)
- Replacement Pages for General Procedures and Information for Licensure (PDF)
- Replacement Pages for Minimum Standards for Licensed Family Day-Care Systems (PDF)
Applicable Code of Virginia References
New FDS Applicants
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Application Forms
- Annual Operating Budget (DOC)
- Annual Operating Budget (PDF)
- FDS Initial Application (PDF)
Current FDS 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)
- 2021/04/21: 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)
- 2020/08/07: VA Child Care Provider Survey (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)
- 2020/04/10: 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)
- 2020/03/23: Joint Guidance for Emergency Child Care during Statewide School Closure (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)
- 2018/03/19: 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)
- 2017/10/12: Fingerprint Implementation Memo #3 (PDF)
- 2017/07/24: Fingerprint Based Background Checks for Child Day Programs - #2 (PDF)
- 2017/07/17: Child Day Program Barrier Crimes 2017 (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)
- 2017/05/08: Fingerprint Based Background Checks for Child Day Programs (PDF)
Background Investigations
- 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)
- Other States - Request for Search of the CPS Central Registry (PDF)
- Request for Search of the Child Protective Services (CPS) Central Registry (PDF)
- State Police Sex Offender and Crimes Against Minors Registry
- Sworn Statement or Affirmation for Child Day Programs (PDF)
Documents & Procedures
- Risk Assessment Matrix (PDF)
Forms
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License Renewal
- FDS Renewal Application (PDF)
- Staff Information (PDF)
All Other
- Liability Insurance Declaration (PDF)
- License Modification Request for Facility Change of Location (PDF)
- Medication Administration Log for Child Day Programs - Individual Child (PDF)
- Medication Administration Log for Child Day Programs - Multiple Children (PDF)
- Medication Authorization (PDF)
- Publication Order Form (PDF)
- Request for Search of the Child Protective Services (CPS) Central Registry (PDF)
- School Health Entrance
Additional Resources