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: 

• Welcome letter
• Regulations for:
  • General Procedures for the Licensure of Child Day Programs and Family Day Systems and Background Checks
  • Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers
• Information about Background Checks for Child Day Programs
• 2025 Code of Virginia (pdf)

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. Consider attending Applicant Support Office Hours. The Office of Child Care Health and Safety offers dedicated office hours each month to help applicants and prospective applicants navigate every step of the application process. Whether you’re just getting started or finalizing your submission, this is a space to get clarity and confidence. During office hours, you can ask questions about the application itself, review required documents, better understand how to answer specific application questions, and receive guidance on what to expect next. Our goal is to ensure you feel informed, prepared, and supported throughout the process. You must register in order to receive a link to join the meeting, but there is no deadline to register and you can come to as many office hours as you need to. Please join us at any time during the open office hours. Registration links for the monthly office hour sessions offered from 6-8 p.m. are below:

6. 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 2026.

• Annual operating budget
• Proof that the Virginia Uniform Building Code requirements are met (e.g., certificate of use and occupancy or building evaluation form)
•  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 (sworn statement or affirmation completed within the last 30 days; all other background checks completed within the last five years)
•  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.

7. 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 2026.  

• Renewal Application for Licensure

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

• Allergy Care Plan (PDF)
• Allergy List (PDF)
• Annual Operating Budget (with instructions) (Word)
• Approval of Functional Design Features (PDF)
• Authorization for Non-prescription Over-the-Counter Skin Products Licensed Child Day Centers (PDF)
• Building Evaluation Form (PDF)
• Child Registration (PDF)
• CPR/First Aid Training and Certification (PDF)
• Daily Attendance (PDF)
• Daily Health Screening Training (PDF)
• Emergency Drill Record (PDF)
• Emergency Preparedness Plan (PDF)
• Field Trip Permission Regularly Scheduled (PDF)
• Field Trip Permission Special (PDF)
• Injury Accident Report (PDF)
• Initial Application for Child Day Center (PDF)
• Licensed Child Day Center Suggested Format for Asbestos Statements from Inspectors (Word)
• Licensed Child Day Center Suggested Format for Written Asbestos Statements (PDF)
• Medication Administration Log for Child Day Programs - Individual Child (PDF)
• Medication Administration Log for Child Day Programs - Multiple Children (PDF)
• Medication Authorization (PDF)
• Modification Request for Change of Location (PDF)
• Orientation Written Policies for Staff (PDF)
• Parent Notification of Allergic Reaction or Exposure (PDF)
• Renewal Application for Child Day Center (PDF)
• Report of Environmental Sanitation Inspection (PDF)
• Report of Tuberculosis Screening - Children's Programs (PDF)
• School Entrance Health Form
• Staff Record Audit Template (PDF)

Resources

• Communicable Disease Reference Chart for School and Child Care Facility Personnel
  This resource from the Virginia Department of Health is to be used by child day programs when determining which communicable diseases must be reported to parents when children at the facility have been exposed, and when to exclude children from care. Programs should review this document in its entirety to ensure they are familiar with all notification and exclusion requirements. Programs are reminded to consult the local health department if there is any question about the communicability of a disease, notification requirements, or exclusion requirements.
• American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) 2022 Safe Sleep Guidelines
  Child care providers are encouraged to refer to Table 2 of the article, Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2022 Recommendations for Reducing Infant Deaths in the Sleep Environment.
• Additional resources can be found on the Resources for Providers webpage.