West Virginia ChildcareLicensing Requirements
Stay compliant with West Virginia DHHR Child Care Center Licensing (78 CSR 1) regulations. Bloomily helps West Virginia childcare centers manage staff ratios, certifications, and emergency drills — all in one platform.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
Required ratios for West Virginia licensed childcare facilities
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
Infants (0-12 months) Infants 6 weeks to 12 months | 1:4 | 8 children |
Young Toddlers (12-24 months) Toddlers 12-24 months | 1:5 | 10 children |
Older Toddlers (24-36 months) Toddlers 24-36 months | 1:6 | 12 children |
Preschool (3-5 years) Three year olds | 1:10 | 20 children |
prek Four and five year olds | 1:12 | 24 children |
School Age (5+ years) School-age 5+ years | 1:15 | 30 children |
Bloomily automatically monitors staff-to-child ratios in real-time and alerts you when you're approaching limits.
Required Certifications
Certifications required for West Virginia childcare staff
Annual Training (West Virginia)
West Virginia requires minimum 15 clock hours annual professional development
CPS Central Registry Check (West Virginia)
West Virginia Child Protective Services central registry check required
Criminal Background Check (West Virginia)
West Virginia State Police criminal background check and FBI fingerprint check required
Director Qualifications (West Virginia)
Director qualifications per 78 CSR 1 Section 6 including education and experience requirements
First Aid (West Virginia)
Pediatric first aid certification required
Food Handler Certification (West Virginia)
Food handler training for staff preparing food
Health Appraisal (West Virginia)
Initial health appraisal required for all staff
Lead Teacher Qualifications (West Virginia)
Lead teacher qualifications per 78 CSR 1 Section 6
Mandated Reporter Training
California mandated reporter training for child abuse
Mandatory Reporter Training (West Virginia)
West Virginia mandatory reporter training on recognizing and reporting child abuse and neglect
Orientation Training (West Virginia)
Initial orientation training within first 90 days of employment
Pediatric CPR (West Virginia)
Infant and child CPR certification required for all caregivers
Safe Sleep Training (West Virginia)
Safe sleep training required for infant caregivers
Bloomily tracks certification expiration dates and sends automated renewal reminders before they lapse.
Emergency Drill Requirements
Required safety drills for West Virginia childcare facilities
Required Drills
Fire Drill
Monthly fire drills required, documented with date, time, number of children, and evacuation time
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §12
Lockdown/Security
Lockdown/shelter-in-place drills twice per year
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §12
Evacuation
Full evacuation to alternate location annually
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §12
Tornado/Severe Weather
Severe weather/tornado drills quarterly
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §12
Bloomily automatically schedules drills and tracks completion to ensure you never miss a requirement.
Pre-Inspection Checklist
50 items based on West Virginia DHHR Child Care Center Licensing (78 CSR 1) requirements
Current DHHR license posted and visible
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §3
License capacity and age groups displayed
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §3
Liability insurance current and on file
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §5
Parent handbook available with policies
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §4
Attendance records maintained daily
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §9
Incident/accident reports documented
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §12
Complaint procedures posted
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §4
Emergency procedures posted in each room
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §12
Operating hours posted
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §3
Fee schedule available to parents
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §4
All staff have current background checks (WV and FBI)
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §6
CPS central registry checks completed
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §6
Director meets qualification requirements
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §6
Lead teachers meet qualification requirements
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §6
All staff have current pediatric CPR certification
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §6
All staff have current first aid certification
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §6
Annual training hours documented (15 hours minimum)
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §6
Mandatory reporter training current
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §6
Safe sleep training for infant caregivers
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §6
Health appraisal on file for all staff
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §6
Staff orientation completed within 90 days
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §6
Staff files contain required documentation
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §6
Enrollment forms complete for each child
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §9
Emergency contact information current
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §9
Immunization records current (medical exemptions only)
Ref: WV Code §16-3-4
Health information on file for each child
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §9
Allergy and special needs documented
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §9
Authorized pickup persons documented
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §9
Medication authorization forms complete
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §10
Field trip/transportation permission on file
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §11
First aid kits stocked and accessible
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §10
Medications stored properly (locked)
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §10
Cleaning and sanitizing procedures followed
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §10
Handwashing procedures posted
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §10
Diapering and toileting procedures followed
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §10
Safe sleep practices followed for infants
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §10
Food handling and safety requirements met
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §10
Food handler training current (food prep staff)
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §10
Hazardous materials stored safely
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §10
Tobacco, alcohol, and weapons prohibited
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §10
Fire drill records current (monthly)
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §12
Severe weather/tornado drill records current (quarterly)
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §12
Lockdown drill records current (semi-annual)
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §12
Full evacuation drill completed (annual)
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §12
Emergency evacuation plan posted and current
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §12
Fire extinguishers inspected and accessible
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §12
Indoor space meets 35 sq ft per child requirement
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §7
Outdoor play area safe and enclosed
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §7
Staff-to-child ratios maintained at all times
Ref: 78 CSR 1 §8
WV STARS quality rating posted (if participating)
Ref: WV STARS
Track your West 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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