How To Obtain A Virginia Daycare Provider License?

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) collaborates with partners to provide professional development opportunities for child care providers. To become a licensed child care provider in Virginia, prospective applicants must familiarize themselves with licensing requirements, complete training, and submit an application for licensure. Once a complete application is received, an inspection of the program is required before issuance of a license.

To establish a daycare in Virginia, follow these steps: create a business plan, determine your daycare’s mission, and learn about Virginia’s child care options. To apply for a permit, follow these seven steps and submit all forms and additional documentation to the Fairfax County Office for Children.

Becoming a permitted family child care provider allows you to earn a living while staying at home with your own children and caring for young children of other working families. To obtain a license for a child day program, attend training through the Office of Health and Safety, pass a Criminal and Child Protective Services examination, and complete Phase I: Pre-Application Training for Licensed Child Day Centers.

Family day home providers and substitute providers must be 18 years old or older, have a high school diploma or equivalent, have current CPR, and understand licensing requirements. To apply for a child care license, attend Phase II Training, which includes contacting the Norfolk Home-Based Childcare Network office, orientation, application process, background checks, initial home visit, and zoning.

Pre-registration is required, and applicants can register online or call 703-324-8100 for location and registration information. Six-Hour New Provider Training is offered four times a year, and applicants must complete all six hours to become a licensed child care professional in Virginia.

How many kids can you have in a home daycare in Virginia?

The Code of Virginia requires the licensing of family day homes that care for five to twelve children, including the provider’s own children and those in the home. These homes can be located in the provider’s or any of the children’s homes. If the home cares for more than four children under two, the provider must be licensed or voluntarily registered. However, a family day home with all children related to the provider is not required. The licensed provider assumes responsibility for the supervision, protection, and well-being of a child under 13 years old during their absence.

Who licenses daycares in Virginia?

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) conducts inspections of licensed child care programs at various stages of operation. These include pre-operation inspections, which are conducted biannually, as well as inspections during development and in response to complaints.

How many kids can I watch in VA without a license?

Virginia does not require uniform licensing requirements for in-home childcare providers until they have taken in six children who are not related to them. This means that an in-home childcare provider can watch over five children in addition to their own children before they must meet any state licensing requirements. Safety concerns are paramount in the selection process, so it is important to perform a background check, ask neighbors for recommendations, and contact parents of children who have had children there.

When choosing an in-home childcare provider, pay close attention to safety precautions and cleanliness, such as clean floors, walls, bathrooms, kitchens, and changing stations. Establish policies on cleaning, hand washing, and safe working order of toys and equipment. Electrical outlets should be covered and heavy furniture should be anchored.

Ensure the home has an emergency plan with first aid kits, fire extinguishers, and childproof storage areas. Enforce rules on sick children and require immunizations to prevent illness spread. Consider taking your child to the home for a visit to observe their behavior and interactions with the staff. Good providers should have a schedule that allows for play time, quiet time, individual activities, meals, snacks, and group activities, and teach appropriate topics for the age group.

Contact the Department of Social Services (DSS) to ensure the provider has a license and inquire about their compliance history to see if their license has ever been suspended or revocation. A license does not guarantee the daycare will work for you, but it provides additional assurances that the caregiver follows the standards set forth by the state’s governing body.

How to start a daycare business in Virginia?

Child day centers are programs that provide childcare for children under 13 years old in a facility that is not the provider’s residence or the children in care. To obtain a license, a child day center must attend training through the Office of Health and Safety, pass a Criminal and Child Protective Services background check, submit a functional design plan, application for licensure with application fee, annual operating budget, and report of environmental sanitation inspection, and pass a facility inspection by a state licensing inspector. Licenses must be renewed every 2 years unless the facility receives a conditional or provisional license.

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) enforces these standards by inspecting licensed child day centers at least twice a year and investigating complaints. The required documents include an annual operating budget, certificate of use and occupancy, fire inspection completed within the last 12 months, report of environmental sanitation inspection completed within the last 12 months, floor plans, site plan, asbestos statement, written confirmation of program director qualifications, documentation of the center’s chain of command or organizational chart, copies of all forms used by the center, sample daily activity schedules, list of indoor and outdoor play equipment, monthly menu, policies and procedures, brochures, evidence of required insurance coverage, three letters of reference for all individuals listed in the business entity section of the application, background checks completed within the last 90 days, credit reference for the business entity, documentation of completed Phase II Pre-Licensure Orientation, and documentation of a fictitious name from the Virginia State Corporation Commission (VSCC) if the center will operate under a different name.

What is the average cost of daycare in Virginia?

The state of Virginia is among the most expensive in the country for child care, with an average annual cost of $14, 063 for infant care and $10, 867 for childcare for children aged four, according to the Economic Policy Institute as of June 2023.

How many children can you have in a home daycare in Virginia?

The Code of Virginia requires the licensing of family day homes that care for five to twelve children, including the provider’s own children and those in the home. These homes can be located in the provider’s or any of the children’s homes. If the home cares for more than four children under two, the provider must be licensed or voluntarily registered. However, if the children are related to the provider by blood or marriage, they don’t need to be licensed. The licensed provider is responsible for the supervision, protection, and well-being of a child under 13 years old during their absence.

What is the daycare ratio in Virginia?

The table illustrates the age ratio of staff members, with children aged four and a half years up to the age of school admission being eligible for a ratio of 1:105.

How old do you have to be to babysit in Virginia?

Children between the ages of 10 and 12 are permitted to care for other children for a maximum of three hours, provided that they are supervised by an adult. Those between the ages of 13 and 15 are allowed to babysit infants and children, but not overnight. Individuals aged 16 and above are permitted to provide overnight supervision of children. Fairfax County offers guidance for preparing children for home-alone care.

Is daycare business profitable in USA?

The daycare industry’s profit margins can vary significantly due to factors like location, competition, and operational efficiency. A 5-10 profit margin is generally considered reasonable for a daycare center. However, these margins can differ significantly between centers due to variations in pricing, enrollment levels, and operational expenses. Analyzing similar daycare centers in the local area can provide valuable insights into what is achievable in terms of profit margins.

The pricing strategy adopted by the center is crucial for maintaining healthy profit margins. Balancing competitive rates with reasonable fees is essential for daycare operators. Efficient resource utilization, such as maximizing enrollment and managing staff ratios, can also positively impact profit margins. By optimizing these factors, daycare operators can achieve a delicate balance between revenue generation and cost control.

What advantages does a licensed child care program in Virginia have?

Cooperating providers in Virginia have several benefits, including gaining a competitive advantage over unlicensed and unregistered providers, being established as professionals, demonstrating a commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment for children, having an assigned licensing inspector, receiving increased subsidy payments for eligible children, better preparation for VQB5, being included in a searchable listing on the VDOE and Child Care Aware of Virginia websites, using licensure status as a marketing tool, influencing parents with online health and safety inspection reports, accessing relevant training and resources, being connected to federal/state child care news and provider requirements, being eligible to participate in the USDA food program, and being proud of the quality child care they provide.