How to start a daycare in West Virginia.
West Virginia Department of Human Services licenses child care centers in West Virginia. These are the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
Opening a child care center in West Virginia, step by step
Send a needs assessment and letter of intent
Fill out the Needs Assessment and Letter of Intent. Send it to the Division of Early Care and Education.
Source: Needs Assessment and Letter of Intent to Operate a Child Care CenterGet the license application
After the division reviews your letter, it sends you a license application to fill out.
Source: Needs Assessment and Letter of Intent to Operate a Child Care CenterGet a State Fire Marshal inspection
Ask the State Fire Marshal for a preliminary inspection or plan review. Send the report with your application.
Source: Needs Assessment and Letter of Intent to Operate a Child Care CenterGet a health department permit
Ask your county health department for an inspection. No license is issued without its permit.
Source: Needs Assessment and Letter of Intent to Operate a Child Care CenterGet a pest management plan approved
Get your Integrated Pest Management Plan approved by the Department of Agriculture.
Source: Child Care Center Information PacketLine up six months of funds
Have money ready to cover at least six months of operating costs.
Source: Needs Assessment and Letter of Intent to Operate a Child Care CenterPass the state inspection
The state inspects your center before it issues a license.
Source: Child Care Center Information Packet
At a glance
- Who licenses centers
- West Virginia Department of Human Services, Division of Early Care and Education. Reviews your letter of intent and sends you the center license application.Source: Needs Assessment and Letter of Intent to Operate a Child Care Center
- Child care center
- 13 or more children, open more than 30 days a year per childSource: §49-1-206. Definitions related, but not limited to, child advocacy, care, residential, and treatment programs.
- First license
- An initial license for six monthsSource: Title 78, Legislative Rule, Series 1: Child Care Centers Licensing
- License length
- Up to two yearsSource: Title 78, Legislative Rule, Series 1: Child Care Centers Licensing
- Indoor space
- 35 square feet of usable activity space per childSource: Child Care Center Information Packet
- Staff
- A health check, TB screening, two references and background checksSource: Child Care Center Information Packet
Good to know
- A building built before 1978 needs a lead risk assessment.Source: Child Care Center Information Packet
- Every licensed or registered program needs a written plan to evacuate for fire, disaster or other threats.Source: §49-2-113. Residential child-care centers; licensure, certification, approval, and registration; requirements.
Run a program in West Virginia? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a home daycare in West Virginia
The kinds of home daycare the state allows, and the steps.
- West Virginia licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Child care grants in West Virginia
Grants the state runs for providers.
- Daycare startup costs in West Virginia
Revenue, staff pay and rent from your own numbers.
- 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 West Virginia?
The first step: Send a needs assessment and letter of intent. All 7 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who licenses child care centers in West Virginia?
West Virginia Department of Human Services, Division of Early Care and Education. Reviews your letter of intent and sends you the center license application.
About this page
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 4, 2026.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
Questions about childcare in West Virginia?
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