Qualifications: Program Leaders: Must be at least 18 years old and have a high school diploma or GED. If hired or promoted after 11/1/93, must also have an endorsement or BA in a child- related field; or 48 semester hours from accredited college or university, at least 12 of which are in a subject relating to group care of children and 6 months of age-appropriate experience; or a 1 year early childhood certificate from an accredited college or university of at least 30 semester hours and 6 months of age-appropriate experience; or a CDA credential or equivalent; or one year age appropriate program experience in group care and participation in a staff training plan of at least 10 hours in first year of employment.
Provider/Child Ratio:
| Age Range | Ratios for Center-based Care in Virginia State |
| Infants | (1:4) |
| Young toddlers | (1:5) |
| 2 and 3 years | (1:8) |
| 4 years | (1:10) |
| Schoolage | (1:18) |
| Mixed age group | ratio for youngest child in group |
| Age Range | Ratios for Family Child Care in Virginia State |
| 0 - 15 months | (1:4) |
| 16 - 23 months | (1:5) |
| 2 - 4 years | (1:8) |
| 5 - 9 years | (1:16) |
| 10 years and older | these children shall not count in determining any ratio |
| Mixed age group | a point system shall be applied to determine the need for an assistant |
Family day home care is the most common form of child care in this country, especially for younger children. Parents may choose family child care for its intimate, home-like setting, flexible hours, consistency of care-giver, and small group size.
The Code of Virginia mandates the licensure of family day homes that provide care for six to 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.
During the (less than 24 hour) absence of a parent or guardian, the licensed family day home 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 State Board of Social Services and enforced by the Division of Licensing Programs, ensure that the activities, services, and facilities of the family day home are conducive to the welfare of the children in care.
Important Contact Information:
Child Care Licensing Agency
Virginia Department of Social Services
Division of Licensing Programs
7 North 8th Street, 2nd floor
Richmond, VA 23219-1849
Phone: (804) 726-7154
Toll Free: (800) 543-7545
Fax: (804) 726-7132
Child Care Subsidy Agency
Virginia Department of Social Services
Division of Child Care and Development
Office of Child Care
7 North 8th Street
Richmond, VA 23219-1849
Phone: (804) 726-7640
Fax: (804) 726-7655
Head Start - State Collaboration Office
Division of Child Care and Development
7 North Eighth Street, 6th Floor
Richmond, VA, 23219-3301
Phone: (804) 726-7640
Fax: (804) 726-7655
Child Care Food Program Administrator
Mercer Corporate Park
300 Corporate Boulevard
Robbinsville, New Jersey 08691-1598
Phone: (609) 259-5050
Fax: (609) 259-5128
Child Care Resource and Referral Contact
Virginia Child Care Resource & Referral Network
308 Turner Road, Suite A
Richmond, VA 23225
Phone: (804) 285-0846
Toll Free: (866) 481-1913
Fax: (804) 285-0847
Office of Child Support Enforcement
Division of Child Support Enforcement
7 N. Eighth St., 1st Floor
Richmond, Virginia 23219
Phone: (800) 257-9986
Fax: (804) 726-7476