Virginia ChildcareLicensing Requirements
Stay compliant with Virginia Virginia Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers (8VAC20-780) regulations. Bloomily helps Virginia childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for Virginia licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) Infants 0-16 months | 1:4 | — |
toddler Toddlers 16-24 months | 1:5 | — |
twos 2-year-olds | 1:8 | — |
Preschool (3-5 years) Preschool 3-5 years | 1:10 | — |
school_age_young School-age 6-8 years | 1:18 | — |
School Age (5+ years) School-age 9-12 years | 1:20 | — |
Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.
Required Certifications
Certifications required for Virginia childcare staff
Annual Training (16 hours)
Virginia required 16 hours annual training in addition to CPR/First Aid per 8VAC20-780-240
Background Check (Virginia)
Virginia fingerprint-based background check and CPS registry check per § 22.1-289.035
CPS Registry Check (Virginia)
Virginia Child Protective Services registry check
First Aid (Virginia)
First aid certification appropriate to age of children in care
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Medication Administration Training (Virginia)
Virginia MAT certification required for staff administering prescription/non-prescription medications
Orientation Training (Virginia)
Virginia orientation training including emergency procedures within 30 days of employment
Pediatric CPR (Virginia)
Infant and child CPR certification - required within 30 days of employment per 8VAC20-780-240
Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.
Emergency Drill Requirements
Required safety drills for Virginia childcare facilities
Required Drills
Fire Drill
Monthly fire drills per Virginia Statewide Fire Prevention Code, records maintained 2 years
Ref: 8VAC20-780-550
Lockdown/Security
Lockdown drills required per emergency preparedness plan
Ref: 8VAC20-780-550
Shelter in Place
Shelter-in-place drills required per emergency preparedness plan
Ref: 8VAC20-780-550
Recommended Drills
Evacuation
Evacuation and relocation drills recommended
Ref: 8VAC20-780-550
Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.
Pre-Inspection Checklist
50 items based on Virginia Virginia Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers (8VAC20-780) requirements
License displayed in prominent location
Ref: 8VAC20-780-50
Capacity not exceeded
Ref: 8VAC20-780-50
Operating within licensed hours
Ref: 8VAC20-780-50
Written operational policies available
Ref: 8VAC20-780-40
Parent handbook current and distributed
Ref: 8VAC20-780-40
Indoor space meets minimum (25 sq ft per child)
Ref: 8VAC20-780-250
Outdoor play area adequate and safe
Ref: 8VAC20-780-250
Temperature maintained appropriately
Ref: 8VAC20-780-250
Adequate lighting in all areas
Ref: 8VAC20-780-250
Toilets clean and child-accessible
Ref: 8VAC20-780-260
Handwashing facilities available
Ref: 8VAC20-780-260
Drinking water readily accessible
Ref: 8VAC20-780-260
Sleeping/napping equipment appropriate
Ref: 8VAC20-780-280
Outdoor equipment safe and maintained
Ref: 8VAC20-780-420
Fall zones with resilient surfacing
Ref: 8VAC20-780-420
Daily health observation performed
Ref: 8VAC20-780-170
Handwashing procedures followed
Ref: 8VAC20-780-490
Diapering area sanitized properly
Ref: 8VAC20-780-490
Medications stored locked and inaccessible
Ref: 8VAC20-780-510
First aid supplies stocked and accessible
Ref: 8VAC20-780-520
Illness exclusion policy enforced
Ref: 8VAC20-780-170
Safe sleep practices followed (infants)
Ref: 8VAC20-780-280
Fire extinguishers inspected annually
Ref: 8VAC20-780-550
Smoke detectors working
Ref: 8VAC20-780-550
Emergency exits marked and unobstructed
Ref: 8VAC20-780-550
Fire drills conducted monthly
Ref: 8VAC20-780-550
Shelter-in-place drills quarterly
Ref: 8VAC20-780-550
Lockdown drills quarterly
Ref: 8VAC20-780-550
Drill records maintained (2 years)
Ref: 8VAC20-780-550
Emergency preparedness plan posted
Ref: 8VAC20-780-550
Hazardous materials stored safely
Ref: 8VAC20-780-400
Pool secured (if applicable)
Ref: 8VAC20-780-430
Fingerprint background check current for all staff
Ref: § 22.1-289.035
CPS registry check completed
Ref: § 22.1-289.035
Director meets qualification requirements
Ref: 8VAC20-780-240
CPR certification current (within 30 days of employment)
Ref: 8VAC20-780-240
First Aid certification current
Ref: 8VAC20-780-240
Staff-to-child ratios maintained
Ref: 8VAC20-780-500
MAT certification for medication administration
Ref: 8VAC20-780-510
Annual training completed (16 hours)
Ref: 8VAC20-780-240
Orientation training within 30 days of hire
Ref: 8VAC20-780-240
Enrollment forms complete
Ref: 8VAC20-780-60
Emergency contact information current
Ref: 8VAC20-780-60
Immunization records on file
Ref: § 32.1-46
Health information documented
Ref: 8VAC20-780-60(B)
Pickup authorization documented
Ref: 8VAC20-780-60
Allergy/special needs documented
Ref: 8VAC20-780-60
Attendance records maintained
Ref: 8VAC20-780-60
Children supervised at all times
Ref: 8VAC20-780-500
Sign-in/out procedures followed
Ref: 8VAC20-780-60
Track your Virginia compliance digitally
Bloomily keeps your checklist updated, tracks staff certifications, and alerts you before items expire.
Nearby State Requirements
Requirements vary by state. Click to view specific licensing requirements.
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