Providers » Program Types

Licensed Child Day Centers

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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 Virginia Board of Education. The Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) enforces these standards by inspecting centers at least twice a year and investigating complaints.

Need assistance? Contact your licensing inspector or the Office of Child Care Health and Safety in your region.

How to Become a Licensed Child Day Center (CDC)

1. Complete the Phase I: Pre-Application Training for Licensed Child Day Centers.  This training provides information about the initial application process and important points of consideration prior to applying for licensure.  The training is highly recommended.

2. Review the following information: 

3. Contact the Office of Child Care Health and Safety in your region to register for the Pre-Licensure Orientation Phase 2 for Licensed Child Day Centers. This is a required orientation where licensing inspectors will focus on the Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers and answer any of your questions.

4. Create and submit a functional design plan to the licensing office in your region as soon as the location is identified.

5. Complete an initial application for licensure, and upload the application and all required attachments through the online portal.  When using the online portal, child day center applicants should select "Child Day Center" as the provider type and "initial application" as the interaction purpose. Refer to this quick reference guide for step-by-step instructions on using the online portal.  If you are unable to access the online portal or encounter difficulties using the online portal, please contact the Office of Child Care Health and Safety in your region.

The following listed documents are required attachments for an initial application for licensure, and will need to be uploaded in the online portal when submitting your initial application. Model forms are provided below, if available.  Please note that application fees are not being collected by the department through June 2025.

  • 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 (indicating the exact dimensions of the rooms to be used, including length and width; functions of each room; toileting facilities, including the number of basins and toilets; and position of any fixed equipment and furniture)
  •  Site plan or sketch (indicating the outdoor play areas, including dimensions; locations of the building on the site; adjacent streets and parking areas; all fences; fixed equipment and secondary buildings or structures)
  • Asbestos statement from an asbestos inspector, and a management plan if asbestos was detected (for buildings built before 1978)
  •  Asbestos statement from the applicant, if asbestos was detected
  •  Written confirmation of program director qualifications
  •  Written documentation of the center’s chain of command or organizational chart
  •  A copy of all forms to be used by the center, if different than model forms provided by the department
  •  Sample current daily activity schedule for each age group
  •  List of indoor and outdoor play equipment available to children
  •  Sample current monthly menu
  •  Copy of all policies and procedures
  •  Copy of any brochures
  •  Evidence of the required insurance coverage
  •  Three letters of reference for all individuals listed in the business entity section of the application (reference letters must not be dated more than 12 months prior to the date of the application from three persons not related to the individual by blood or marriage who have known the individual for at least one month and can attest to his/her character and reputation) – This is not required for public agencies
  •  Background checks for all individuals listed in the business entity section of the application (completed within the last 90 days)
  •  A credit reference for the business entity – This is not required for public agencies
  •  Documentation of completed Phase II Pre-Licensure Orientation
  •  Documentation of a fictitious name from the Virginia State Corporation Commission (VSCC) if the center will operate under a name other than that of the business entity
  •  If applicable, business entity paperwork such as partnership agreements, association bylaws, or certificates and articles of formation from the VSCC. 

 Note: To ensure timely processing, you must submit a complete application to the Office of Child Care Health and Safety 60 days prior to your planned opening date. Submission of an incomplete application will delay the review process.  If you need assistance, contact the Office of Child Care Health and Safety in your region.

6. Prepare for your facility inspection. After you have completed Steps 1-4 and your application is complete,  a licensing inspector will contact you to schedule an inspection of your facility.

How to Renew your License

To ensure timely processing, you must submit a complete renewal application to the Office of Child Care Health and Safety at least 60 days prior to the expiration date of the current license. A complete renewal application includes the following forms and required attachments. Please note that application fees are not being collected by the department through June 2025.  

Complete a renewal application and upload the application and all required attachments through the online portal.  When using the online portal, child day center applicants should select "Child Day Center" as the provider type and "renewal application" as the interaction purpose. Refer to this quick reference guide for step-by-step instructions on using the online portal.  If you are unable to access the online portal, encounter difficulties using the online portal, or have questions about the renewal application process, please contact your assigned licensing inspector.

Model Forms