How to start a home daycare in Virginia.
Virginia Department of Education oversees home daycares in Virginia. These are the kinds it allows and the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 3, 2026.
The kinds of home daycare Virginia allows
Licensed home-based child care
5 to 12 children, not counting children who live in the home
This is the license for a home that cares for 5 or more children.
Source: Licensed Home-Based Child Care (Formerly Family Day Home)Voluntarily registered home-based child care
4 or fewer children, not counting children who live in the home
A smaller home that does not need a license may choose to register.
Source: Voluntary Registration for Home-Based Child CareMember home of a home-based child care system
Up to 9 children
The home is a member of a licensed home-based child care system.
Source: Licensed Home-Based Child Care System
Starting a home daycare in Virginia, step by step
Take the Phase I training
Take the Phase I pre-application training. It is highly recommended.
Source: Licensed Home-Based Child Care (Formerly Family Day Home)Attend the Phase 2 orientation
Sign up with your regional Office of Child Care Health and Safety for the required Phase 2 orientation.
Source: Licensed Home-Based Child Care (Formerly Family Day Home)Check with your zoning office
Ask your local zoning office how many children you may ask to care for in your home.
Source: Licensed Home-Based Child Care (Formerly Family Day Home)Get first aid and CPR certification
Get current first aid and CPR certification. Proof goes with your application.
Source: Licensed Home-Based Child Care (Formerly Family Day Home)Complete background checks
All caregivers and household members need background checks for the application.
Source: Licensed Home-Based Child Care (Formerly Family Day Home)Get TB screenings
All caregivers and adults in your home need TB screening results from the last 30 days.
Source: Licensed Home-Based Child Care (Formerly Family Day Home)Apply through the online portal
Fill out the initial application. Upload it with every required attachment in the online portal.
Source: Licensed Home-Based Child Care (Formerly Family Day Home)Prepare for your home inspection
Once your application is complete, a licensing inspector contacts you to set up an inspection of your home.
Source: Licensed Home-Based Child Care (Formerly Family Day Home)
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- Virginia Department of Education, Office of Child Care Health and Safety (OCCHS). Enforces the licensing standards for home-based child care.Source: Licensed Home-Based Child Care (Formerly Family Day Home)
- License needed for
- 5 to 12 children, not counting children who live in the homeSource: Licensed Home-Based Child Care (Formerly Family Day Home)
- Babies under 2
- More than 4, counting your own, means you must be licensed or registeredSource: Licensed Home-Based Child Care (Formerly Family Day Home)
- Caring only for relatives
- No license neededSource: Licensed Home-Based Child Care (Formerly Family Day Home)
- Zoning
- Written zoning verification goes with your applicationSource: Licensed Home-Based Child Care (Formerly Family Day Home)
- Send your application
- At least 60 days before you plan to openSource: Licensed Home-Based Child Care (Formerly Family Day Home)
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
- Voluntary registration is not offered in Alexandria, Arlington County, Fairfax County or Norfolk.Source: Voluntary Registration for Home-Based Child Care
- A voluntarily registered home gets a certificate of registration that lasts two years.Source: Voluntary Registration for Home-Based Child Care
- Before July 1, 2026, home-based child care was called a family day home. Older forms may use that name.Source: Latest Updates for Virginia Child Care
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 daycare in Virginia
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- 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 home 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 oversees home daycares in Virginia?
Virginia Department of Education, Office of Child Care Health and Safety (OCCHS). Enforces the licensing standards for home-based child care.
How many children can a home daycare in Virginia care for?
Licensed home-based child care: 5 to 12 children, not counting children who live in the home. Voluntarily registered home-based child care: 4 or fewer children, not counting children who live in the home. Member home of a home-based child care system: Up to 9 children.
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.
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