More than half of the U.S population consists of working parents with children under the age of 6 and require child care services outside of their home. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) understands that choosing a safe, quality childcare provider or facility can be an overwhelming task for parents. VDOE is committed to providing parents with the highest quality child care programs in Virginia, staffed with caring, knowledgeable, nurturing and dedicated individuals. As a child care professional, you can be a part of Virginia’s commitment to providing safe, quality child care!

As a child care professional you most likely work for a child day program. Child day programs are defined as 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.

In Virginia, there are two types of child day programs for which you may work: child day centers (center-based) and family day homes (family-based).

Child Day Centers

Child day centers provide care for (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.

Family Day Homes

Family day homes provide care in the residence of the provider or the home of any of the children in care for up to 12 children under the age of 13 years, not including the provider's own children and any children who reside in the home, when at least one child receives care for compensation.

Requirements for Becoming a Child Care Professional

As a child care professional in Virginia, you will be required to meet certain standards to ensure your level of knowledge and competency. Qualifications will vary based on the type of program.

For Licensed Child Day Centers

What educational qualifications are needed to work in a child day center in Virginia?
Qualifications vary for program directors, program leaders, and aides. Program directors can meet one of the following criteria with education in a child-related field:

• Graduate degree in a child-related field
• An endorsement or bachelor’s degree in a child-related field
• College credits: 48 semester hours with 12 being in a child-related field or 72 quarter hours with 18 being in a child-related field
• Two years of programmatic experience with one year in a supervisory capacity and other advanced educational requirements

What are the annual training requirements?
Staff members are required to have a minimum of 16 clock hours of training annually in areas relevant to their job responsibilities.

What certifications are required?

• Current certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid appropriate to the age of children in care are required for at least two staff members who are on the premises during the center’s hours of operation, on field trips and wherever children are in care.  There must also be at least one staff certified in CPR and first aid in each classroom or area where children are present.
• Current certification in Medication Administration Training (MAT) is required for staff members that administer prescription and/or non-prescription medications. 

For additional requirements read Part III, Staff Qualifications and Training in the Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers. 

Licensed Family Day Homes

What educational qualifications are needed to be a family day home provider in Virginia?
Providers are required to have (i) a high school diploma or the equivalent or (ii) evidence of having met the requirements for admission to an accredited college or university.

What are the annual training requirements?
In addition to cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid certification, providers are required to have a minimum of 16 clock hours of training annually in areas relevant to their job responsibilities.

What certifications are required?

• Current certifications in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid appropriate to the age of children in care are required for providers.
• Current certification in Medication Administration Training (MAT) is required for providers that administer prescription and/or non-prescription medications.

For additional requirements read Part III, Personnel and VI, Caregiver Training in the Standards for Licensed Family Day Homes.

Business Resources

Low Interest Loan Program

The Virginia Small Business Child Care Financing Program (CCFP) is designed to assist Virginia child care providers in obtaining financing for fixed asset needs and educational materials.

Virginia Shared Services Network

The Virginia Shared Services Network is a program of Child Care Aware of Virginia. It’s goal is to assist child care centers and family child care providers to support and strengthen the quality of early learning settings and to improve financial stability.