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Voluntary Registration for Family Day Homes

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Voluntary Registration is a form of regulation available to family day homes that are not required to be licensed. These homes have four or fewer children in care at any one time, not including the provider's own child and any children who legally reside in the home. Voluntary Registration is not available in areas where local ordinances regulate unlicensed providers (Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County, and Norfolk City). The program is administered by the Office of Child Care Health and Safety and community-based agencies that have a contract with the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) to administer the program in specific areas of the state. Regulations for voluntarily registered programs are set forth in 8VAC20-850.

To become registered, a family day home provider must submit an application, the results of a TB screening, the results of a criminal history search, the results of a child abuse registry search, and a completed sworn statement or affirmation for themselves, any adults that reside in the home, any assistants and any substitute providers. Additional requirements include out of state background checks for the provider, all caregivers, and any adult household members residing in the home, and a child abuse registry search for children, 14 to 17 years of age, residing in the home. Lastly, they must complete a self-assessment of their compliance with the health and safety requirements using the health and safety checklist.  Effective July 1, 2024, applicants are no longer responsible for submitting an application fee.

The contract agency or the Office of Child Care Health and Safety will conduct a home inspection to confirm compliance with the health and safety requirements. Upon recommendation for approval, the Superintendent for Public Instruction issues a two-year certificate of registration. During the two-year period, the contracting agency and VDOE licensing staff monitor a sample number of registered homes for compliance with the requirements.  Voluntarily registered homes that are subsidy vendors will receive annual inspections to determine compliance with the Code and the subsidy health and safety requirements.

Are you interested in becoming a voluntarily registered family day home?

Start by reviewing the welcome letter and review the resources below:

How to Apply for Initial Registration

1.  Determine if your home is located in a city/county administered by the Office of Child Care Health and Safety or contract agency.

2.  Complete the following application documents and obtain all required attachments.  The documents listed below are required for a complete application. Model forms are provided below, if available.

3.  Submit your completed application and all required attachments to the Office of Child Care Health and Safety or contract agency depending on where your program is located.  NOTE: Applications submitted to the incorrect agency will delay processing.  VDOE recommends submitting your completed application at least 60 days prior to your planned opening date. If you need help completing your application, email childcarelicensing@doe.virginia.gov.

  • Homes applying with the Office of Child Care Health and Safety shall upload a complete initial application for registration and all required attachments through the online portal.  When using the online portal, applicants should select "Voluntarily Registered Family Day Home" 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, contact the Office of Child Care Health and Safety in your region.  Effective July 1, 2024, applicants are no longer responsible for submitting an application fee.
  • Homes applying with a contract agency shall submit a complete initial application for registration and all required attachments directly to the contract agency.  Effective July 1, 2024, applicants are no longer responsible for submitting an application fee.

4.  Prepare for your home inspection.  After you have completed steps 1-3 and your application is complete, a licensing inspector or contract agency representative will contact you to schedule an inspection the home.  Original background checks must be available at the home for inspection.

How to Renew Your Certificate of Registration

Complete and submit the following forms  and all required attachments to the Office of Child Care Health and Safety or contract agency working with your program at least 45 days prior to expiration of the current certificate of registration. Refer to the required attachments page of the application for required documents.  Available model forms are provided at the bottom of this page if needed.

Homes inspected by the Office of Child Care Health and Safety shall upload a complete renewal application for registration and all required attachments through the online portal.  When using the online portal, applicants should select "Voluntarily Registered Family Day Home" 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 process, contact your assigned licensing inspector. Effective July 1, 2024, applicants are no longer responsible for submitting an application fee.

Homes inspected by a contract agency shaIl submit a complete renewal application for registration and all required attachments directly to the contract agency. Effective July 1, 2024, applicants are no longer responsible for submitting an application fee.

NOTE: Applications submitted to the incorrect agency will delay processing.

Model Forms

Already a Registered Provider? Use the model forms below to help ensure you are meeting VR health and safety requirements.