How to start a home daycare in West Virginia.
West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) oversees home daycares in West 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 4, 2026.
The kinds of home daycare West Virginia allows
Family child care home
4 to 6 children at one time
Children under 6 who live in the home count toward the total.
Source: §49-1-206. Definitions related, but not limited to, child advocacy, care, residential, and treatment programs.Family child care facility
7 to 12 children
It may be in the provider's home or in a separate building.
Source: §49-1-206. Definitions related, but not limited to, child advocacy, care, residential, and treatment programs.Informal family child care home
3 or fewer children
Care is in your own home, for at least one child who is not related to you.
Source: §49-1-206. Definitions related, but not limited to, child advocacy, care, residential, and treatment programs.Relative family child care home
Only children related to the caregiver
The caregiver is a relative, such as a grandparent, aunt, uncle or adult sibling.
Source: §49-1-206. Definitions related, but not limited to, child advocacy, care, residential, and treatment programs.
Starting a home daycare in West Virginia, step by step
Read the packet and the rules
Read the Family Child Care Information packet and the Family Home Registration Requirements.
Source: Family Child Care HomesMail a needs assessment and letter of intent
Fill out the Family Child Care Needs Assessment and Letter of Intent. Mail it to the address on it.
Source: Family Child Care HomesApply and certify your home
Apply for a certificate of registration. You certify that your home follows the rule.
Source: Title 78, Legislative Rule, Series 19: Family Child Care Home Registration RequirementsGet a medical exam
Get a medical exam and a TB screening within 30 days of applying.
Source: Title 78, Legislative Rule, Series 19: Family Child Care Home Registration RequirementsClear fingerprint checks
You and each adult who lives with you get state and federal fingerprint checks.
Source: Title 78, Legislative Rule, Series 19: Family Child Care Home Registration RequirementsFinish your first training
Within three months, finish pediatric CPR and first aid. Also finish pre-service health and safety training.
Source: Title 78, Legislative Rule, Series 19: Family Child Care Home Registration RequirementsPost your certificate
Display your certificate of registration where people can see it.
Source: Title 78, Legislative Rule, Series 19: Family Child Care Home Registration Requirements
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS). State law names it to issue family child care facility licenses.Source: Family Child Care Facility Information Packet
- Where
- In the caregiver's own homeSource: Title 78, Legislative Rule, Series 19: Family Child Care Home Registration Requirements
- Youngest children
- No more than 2 under 24 monthsSource: Title 78, Legislative Rule, Series 19: Family Child Care Home Registration Requirements
- Certificate length
- Up to two yearsSource: Title 78, Legislative Rule, Series 19: Family Child Care Home Registration Requirements
- Hours open
- No more than 18 hours in a rowSource: Title 78, Legislative Rule, Series 19: Family Child Care Home Registration Requirements
- Yearly training
- 8 hours a year after your first yearSource: Title 78, Legislative Rule, Series 19: Family Child Care Home Registration Requirements
Good to know
- Informal and relative family child care homes may register by choice.Source: §49-2-113. Residential child-care centers; licensure, certification, approval, and registration; requirements.
- Everyone over 18 who lives in your home also needs an APS/CPS background check.Source: Family Child Care Homes
- A family child care facility must have a license before it takes children.Source: Family Child Care Facility 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 daycare in West Virginia
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- 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 home daycare in West Virginia?
The first step: Read the packet and the rules. All 7 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in West Virginia?
West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS). State law names it to issue family child care facility licenses.
How many children can a home daycare in West Virginia care for?
Family child care home: 4 to 6 children at one time. Family child care facility: 7 to 12 children. Informal family child care home: 3 or fewer children. Relative family child care home: Only children related to the caregiver.
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.
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