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Effective July 1, 2021, the Virginia Department of Education will be responsible for overseeing child care and early education programs, including licensing, the Child Care Subsidy Program, and resources for educators. More information about the transition is available here.
Child day centers are child day programs offered to (i) two or more children under the age of 13 years in a facility that is not the residence of the provider or of any of the children in care or (ii) 13 or more children at any location. A child day program is a regularly operating service arrangement for children where, during the absence of a parent or guardian, a person or organization has agreed to assume responsibility for the supervision, protection and well-being of a child under the age of 13 years for less than a 24-hour period.
Licensed programs must meet the standards promulgated by the State Board of Social Services. The Virginia Department of Social Services enforces these standards by inspecting centers at least twice a year and investigating complaints.
Regulations & Code References
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Regulations
- Background Checks for Child Welfare Agencies (PDF)
- COVID-19 CDC 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 Child Day Centers (PDF)
- Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers Exempt Action Replacement Pages (PDF)
Applicable Code of Virginia References
Background Investigations
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Forms
- Local Government CDC Fingerprinting Exception Applicants - Virginia Code §63.2-1720, as amended
- 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 CDC Applicants
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Becoming Licensed
- 1 - CDC Welcome Letter (PDF)
- 2 - Steps to Apply for Initial CDC License (PDF)
- 3 - Important Notice Regarding Forms and Resources for New Applicants (PDF)
- Licensing Offices Contact Information (PDF)
- Pre-Application Training for Child Day Centers - Phase 1 (PDF)
- Pre-Licensure Orientation - Phase 2 (Next Step) (PDF)
Application Forms
- Annual Operating Budget (DOC)
- Annual Operating Budget (PDF)
- CDC Initial Application (PDF)
- CDC State of Emergency Initial Application (PDF)
- Report of Environmental Sanitation Inspection (PDF)
Additional Resources
Current CDC 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)
- 2019/10/17: Revision to Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers (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)
- 2017/09/12: New Background Check Compliance Procedures (PDF)
- 2017/07/24: Fingerprint Based Background Checks for Child Day Programs - #2 (PDF)
- 2017/06/28: Child Care Legisative Update Senate Bill 1008 (PDF)
Documents & Procedures
Forms
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Renewal
All Other
- Approval of Functional Design Features (PDF)
- Authorization for Non-prescription Over-the-Counter Skin Products Licensed Child Day Centers (PDF)
- Child Registration (PDF)
- Decision on the Administration of Medication (PDF)
- License Modification Request for Facility Change of Location (PDF)
- Licensed Child Day Center Suggested Format for Asbestos Statements from Inspectors (PDF)
- Licensed Child Day Center Suggested Format for Written Asbestos Statements (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)
- Report of Tuberculosis Screening - Children's Programs (PDF)
- School Entrance
Additional Resources
Licensed CDC Receiving Child Care Subsidy Assistance (forms)
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Administration
- Daily Attendance Record (PDF)
- Allergy Reference Sheet (PDF)
- Allergy Care Plan (PDF)
Staff Qualifications and Training
- Record of Training (PDF)
Programs
- Parent Notification of Allergic Reaction or Exposure (PDF)
- Provisions of the Emergency Preparedness Plan (PDF)
Special Care Provisions and Emergencies
