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.
Child care centers operated by religious institutions may be exempt from licensure, per § 63.2-1716 of the Code of Virginia, if the religious institutions submit certain documents to the Virginia Department of Social Services prior to opening the child day center and then annually prior to the expiration date of their exemption.
Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) Division of Licensing Programs inspectors will conduct inspections to monitor the RECDC's compliance with Code requirements, investigate complaints if noncompliance with Code requirements is alleged, and monitor compliance with subsidy health and safety inspection requirements (if a program participates in subsidy).
Code of Virginia References
Initial and Annual RECDC Documentation
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General Information
State law requires that facilities operated as child day centers be licensed. Centers operated by religious institutions may, however, exercise an option to be exempt from licensing standards, provided the religious institution files certain information with the Virginia Department of Social Services prior to opening the center and then annually prior to the anniversary date of its current exemption. This exemption applies to a child day center that is operated under the auspices of the religious institution, i.e., the religious institution offers the child day center its protection, support, patronage, guidance, or aid.
Documents & Procedures
Current RECDC 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)
- 2020/10/16: Updates to Religiously Exempt Child Day Center (RECDC) Documents (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)
- 2020/04/10: 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)
- 2019/04/01: Religiously Exempt Child Day Centers - Updated Documents (PDF)
- 2019/03/18: Annual Health and Safety Update Training (PDF)
- 2018/10/18: CCE Group Size Information (PDF)
- 2018/10/16: Child Care Program Regulation (22VAC40-665) - Subsidy Inspection Requirements (PDF)
- 2018/08/30: Inspections of Religiously Exempt Child Day Centers (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)
- 2018/01/19: 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)
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)
- 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
Forms
- Public Disclosure Statement (PDF)
- Publication Order Form (PDF)
- Report of Enviromental Sanitation Inspection (PDF)
- Request for Building Evaluation or Inspection (PDF)
- School Entrance Health Form
- Staff Child Ratio Information Sheet (PDF)
- Staff Health Report (PDF)
- Statement of Intent (PDF)
Additional Resources
