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Licensed Home-Based Child Care (Formerly Family Day Home)

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Home-based child care (known as family day homes prior to July 1, 2026) is the most common form of child care in this country, especially for younger children. Parents may choose home-based child care for its intimate, home-like setting, flexible hours, consistency of caregiver, and small group size.

The Code of Virginia mandates the licensure of home-based child care that provides care for five through twelve children (exclusive of the provider's own children and any children who reside in the home). The care may be offered in the home of the provider or in the home of any of the children in care.

A home-based child care provider caring for more than four children under the age of two, including the provider's own children and any children who reside in the home, must be licensed or voluntarily registered. Home-based child care where the children in care are all related to the provider by blood or marriage is not required to be licensed.

During the absence (less than 24 hours) of a parent or guardian, the licensed home-based child care provider assumes responsibility for the supervision, protection, and well-being of a child under 13 years of age.

Licensing standards, which are proposed by the Virginia Board of Education and enforced by the Virginia Department of Education, ensure that the activities, services, and facilities of the home-based child care are conducive to the welfare of the children in care.

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

How to Become a Licensed Home-Based Child Care Provider

1. Complete the Phase I: Pre-Application Training for Licensed Home-Based Child Care.  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 sign up for Pre-Licensure Orientation for Licensed Home-Based Child Care- Phase 2. This is a required orientation where licensing inspectors will focus on the Standards for Licensed Family Day Homes (Chapter 800) and answer any of your questions. 

 4. Contact your local zoning office to determine the number of children you may request to care for in your home.  Note: Written verification of zoning requirements is required as part of the application. 

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 6-7:30 p.m. are below:

 August 11, 2026: register here  September 8, 2026: register here
 October 13, 2026: register here  November 10, 2026: register here
 December 8, 2026: register here  January 12, 2027: TBD


6. Complete an initial application for licensure, and upload the application and all required attachments through the online portal. When using the online portal, applicants should select "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, 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 provider portal when submitting your initial application. Model forms are provided below, if available.  Application fees are not being collected by the Department through December 2026.

  • Budget form
  • Zoning form signed by the zoning official
  • Documentation of completed Phase II Pre-Licensure Orientation
  • Verification of age for the applicant, assistant(s) and substitute provider(s)
  • Documentation of the provider’s education
  • Documentation of the provider’s programmatic experience
  • Proof of current first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification
  • Tuberculosis (TB) Test/Screening results for all caregivers and adult household members (completed within the last 30 days)
  • Background checks for all caregivers, household members, 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)
  • 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
  • A credit reference for the business entity – This is not required for public agencies
  • Documentation of a fictitious name from the Virginia State Corporation Commission (VSCC) if the home 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, the applicant must submit a complete application to the Office of Child Care Health and Safety at least 60 days prior to the facility’s planned opening date.  Submission of an incomplete application will delay the review process.  If you need assistance, please contact the Office of Child Care Health and Safety in your region.  

7. Prepare for your home 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 home.

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 December 2026. Zoning verification may be needed if there are requested changes in capacity or a special use permit has expired. 

Complete a renewal application and upload the application and all required attachments through the online portal. When using the online portal, applicants should select "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, please contact your assigned licensing inspector.

Model Forms

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.