What are the benefits to becoming a licensed provider/program?

As a licensed provider, you have a competitive advantage over unlicensed and unregistered providers. Your licensed program is held to a higher standard that provides accountability to health and safety standards enforced by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Becoming a licensed provider creates opportunities to:

• Become established as a professional in your field
• Demonstrate a commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment for children
• Have an assigned licensing inspector who is available to answer questions and provide technical assistance
• Receive increased subsidy payments for eligible children in your care
• Be better prepared to participate in VQB5, Virginia's Quality Measurement and Improvement System
• Be included in a searchable, free listing of your center or family day home on the VDOE and Child Care Aware of Virginia websites and/or referral services
• Use your licensure status as a marketing tool to solicit and educate prospective parents
• Influence parents with online health and safety inspection reports
• Access relevant, up-to-date training and resources
• Be connected to the front line of federal/state child care news and provider requirements
• Be eligible to participate in the USDA food program
• Be proud of the quality child care you are providing to your community

How do I get my program licensed with the state?

Prospective applicants must become familiar with the licensing requirements, complete certain training, and submit an application for licensure.  Once a complete application is received, an inspection of your program is required prior to issuance of a license.  Applicants are highly encouraged to complete the online Pre-Application Orientation-Phase 1 training, which is an online training that provides information about the application process. Applicants are required to attend the Pre-Licensure Orientation-Phase 2 training provided by the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) that includes an overview of the Code of Virginia, regulations, completing the application, licensee responsibilities, inspections, the role of the licensing inspector, and program requirements. Applicants are provided with specific information on health and safety standards and required background checks.

Steps on how to apply to become licensed, including details about the optional Phase 1 training and required Phase 2 training, can be found on the webpage specific to the program type that you wish to operate:

• Child Day Centers
•  Family Day Homes
•  Family Day Systems

Applicants are encouraged to contact the Office of Child Care Health and Safety (OCCHS) in their region or email childcarelicensing@doe.virginia.gov if they have any questions about licensing and the licensing process. The OCCHS team can also connect you with one of the VDOE's Early Childhood Navigators if you need assistance preparing and completing the application.

Note: A general business license to operate from the county within which the provider conducts business is not the same as a child day care license obtained from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) which holds the child day care provider accountable to the health and safety standards set forth by the Commonwealth of Virginia.

Information about Inspections

The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) inspects licensed child care programs prior to operation, bi-annually, during program development, and in response to complaints. The bi-annual mandated inspections are unannounced. Licensing inspectors conduct a participant-centered inspection using tools and strategies to help providers understand the extent to which their program is compliant with Virginia regulations.

Health and Safety Inspection Brochure

What should I expect during an inspection visit?

Information regarding inspections is found within the Protocol for Inspections of Child Day Programs.

There are 6 basic components of an inspection:

1. Entrance Conference – Inspectors introduce themselves, explain the inspection process, and ask for any items needed to conduct the inspection.
2. Tour – Inspectors walk through the building(s) directly after the entrance conference to observe activities and personal interactions, talk to children and staff, examine the physical plant, and check on general health and hygiene issues.
3. Interactions and Interviews – Inspectors speak to children, parents (either during or after an inspection), staff members, and interview the program director to gather information on compliance with Standards, especially those relating to care and services to children.
4. Observations – In order to thoroughly assess compliance with Standards, observations will begin from the moment the inspector drives up to the building until the conclusion of the inspection, when the inspector leaves the property. Inspectors pay special attention to the interactions between staff and children, the execution of the program’s internal policies and procedures, and the learning and recreational activities observed.
5. Documentation Review – Inspectors conduct a focused examination of child and staff records, key Standards, and information gathered during interviews and observations.
6. Exit Meeting – Inspectors review the results of the inspection with the provider, listen to and discuss any disputed findings and/or comments about the inspection process, provide consultation, and request a plan of correction for any violations found during the inspections.

 Any areas of noncompliance found during an inspection will result in a violation. Violations of key health and safety standards and statutes are assigned a risk rating using the VDOE's risk matrix.

Information about Virginia's Licensed Child Care Regulations

The current rules and regulations for licensed child care programs are found at the links below. Virginia’s licensed programs must meet the standards for their program (family day home or child day center), as well as requirements in General Procedures and Information for Licensure.

• General Procedures and Information for Licensure
• Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers
• Standards for Licensed Family Day Homes | Normas Para Centros De Cuidado Infantil Familiar Diurno Con Licencia

Information about Other Program Types

Information about program types that do not require licensure can be found here by selecting the appropriate program type of interest.