Virginia childcare licensing requirements.
Ratios, group sizes, certifications, and drills for Virginia — per Virginia Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers (8VAC20-780). Bloomily tracks every one of them live, so the paperwork is ready before anyone asks.
Staff-to-child ratios in Virginia
| Age group | Ratio | Max group size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (0-12 months) | 1:4 | 12 |
| Young Toddlers (12-24 months) | 1:5 | 15 |
| two_year | 1:8 | 24 |
| Preschool (3-5 years) | 1:10 | 30 |
| young_school_age | 1:18 | — |
| older_school_age | 1:20 | — |
Per Virginia Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers (8VAC20-780). Ratios in Bloomily are computed live from real check-ins against these limits.
Required certifications
Virginia required 16 hours annual training in addition to CPR/First Aid per 8VAC20-780-240
Renews every 12 months
Virginia fingerprint-based background check and CPS registry check per § 22.1-289.035
Renews every 60 months
Virginia Child Protective Services registry check
Renews every 60 months
First aid certification appropriate to age of children in care
Renews every 24 months
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Virginia MAT certification required for staff administering prescription/non-prescription medications
Renews every 36 months
Virginia orientation training including emergency procedures within 30 days of employment
Infant and child CPR certification - required within 30 days of employment per 8VAC20-780-240
Renews every 24 months
Drill requirements
| Drill | Frequency | Required |
|---|---|---|
| lockdown | annually | Yes |
| shelter_in_place | semi_annually | Yes |
| evacuation | monthly | Yes |
Virginia VDOE Pre-Inspection Checklist
- License displayed in prominent location
- Capacity not exceeded
- Operating within licensed hours
- Written operational policies available
- Parent handbook current and distributed
- Indoor space meets minimum (25 sq ft per child)
- Outdoor play area adequate and safe
- Temperature maintained appropriately
- Adequate lighting in all areas
- Toilets clean and child-accessible
- Handwashing facilities available
- Drinking water readily accessible
Run a Virginia program? Keep it compliant without the binder.
Ratios computed live from real check-ins, certifications flagged before they lapse, and inspection-ready reports one click away.