How to start a daycare in Virginia.
Virginia Department of Education licenses child care centers in Virginia. These are the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 3, 2026.
Opening a child care center in Virginia, step by step
Take the Phase I training
Take the Phase I pre-application training. It explains the application process and is highly recommended.
Source: Licensed Child Day CentersAttend the Phase 2 orientation
Register with your regional Office of Child Care Health and Safety for the required Phase 2 orientation.
Source: Licensed Child Day CentersSend a functional design plan
Send a functional design plan to your regional licensing office as soon as you pick a location.
Source: Licensed Child Day CentersShow the building meets code
Show the building meets the Virginia Uniform Building Code, such as with a certificate of use and occupancy.
Source: Licensed Child Day CentersGet a fire inspection
Have a fire inspection done within the 12 months before you apply.
Source: Licensed Child Day CentersComplete background checks
Everyone listed in the business entity part of the application needs background checks.
Source: Licensed Child Day CentersApply through the online portal
Fill out the initial application. Upload it with every required attachment in the online portal.
Source: Licensed Child Day CentersPrepare for your inspection
Once your application is complete, a licensing inspector contacts you to set up an inspection of your center.
Source: Licensed Child Day Centers
At a glance
- Who licenses centers
- Virginia Department of Education, Office of Child Care Health and Safety (OCCHS). Enforces the standards for child day centers and inspects them at least twice a year.Source: Licensed Child Day Centers
- What counts as a center
- 2 or more children under 13 outside a home, or 13 or more anywhereSource: Licensed Child Day Centers
- Inspections
- At least twice a yearSource: Licensed Child Day Centers
- Phase 2 orientation
- Required for every applicantSource: Become a Licensed Provider
- Sanitation inspection
- Done within the last 12 monthsSource: Licensed Child Day Centers
- Send your application
- 60 days before you plan to openSource: Licensed Child Day Centers
Good to know
- A county business license is not the same as a child day care license from the state.Source: Become a Licensed Provider
- Arlington County, Alexandria, Fairfax County and Norfolk approve some homes by local rule. Arlington does this for centers too.Source: Local Ordinance Homes and Centers
Run a program in Virginia? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a home daycare in Virginia
The kinds of home daycare the state allows, and the steps.
- Virginia licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Daycare business plan
How to write a plan for funding and licensing.
- Tuition calculator
Typical rates by state and age group.
- Ratio calculator
Staff needed for each age group, by state.
Questions, answered
How do I start a daycare in Virginia?
The first step: Take the Phase I training. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who licenses child care centers in Virginia?
Virginia Department of Education, Office of Child Care Health and Safety (OCCHS). Enforces the standards for child day centers and inspects them at least twice a year.
About this page
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 3, 2026.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
Questions about childcare in Virginia?
Tell us what you run or plan to open. A person on our team answers.