Contact the Virginia Department of Social Services Child Care Licensing Agency to get a licensure packet for new child care providers. This packet contains all of the literature you will need and all of the applications you will need to fill out as well as information on owning a business in Virginia. You can call for this information at 1-800-543-7545.
Check to see that you meet all requirements to become licensed. To be a program leader in a day care center in Virginia, you must be 18 years old and have an acceptable combination of background and experience. The Virginia Department of Social Services states, "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."
Write down your plan. Choose a facility for your day care center and write up your plans for the number of employees you will hire, the number and ages of children you will care for, and all details about your proposed policies. As you write your plan, refer to the Standards for Licensed Child Day Center publication.
Fill out and submit an application to become a Licensed Child Day Center in Virginia, including forms for criminal background checks and business proposals.
The first step to becoming a child care provider in your home is to get a licensure packet from the Virginia Department of Social Services. The packet is available on its website (see Reference 3) or by calling 1-800-553-3431. This packet includes literature on family home child care as well as application materials.
Write a business plan outlining your child care business. Be sure to include how many children you expect to care for in your home and the ages of the children you will watch. Designate the specific areas of your home that will be used for child care. Write out all policies and rules for parents to follow, including what you will do if those rules are broken. For example, you might require parents to pick children up by 6 p.m. or be required to pay a late fee of $20 per hour. Refer to the Standards for Licensed Family Day Homes as you create your plan.
Fill out and submit all application materials. A state worker will visit your home to make sure that it is safe for children and that you plan to conform to the state's rules.