Virginia Launch Guide

How to Start a Daycare in Virginia (2026)

Last updated: June 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Opening a licensed daycare in Virginia means applying to the Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs, clearing fingerprint-based background checks, meeting facility and staff-to-child ratio rules, and passing a licensing inspection. This guide walks the process end to end, grounded in Virginia's licensing statutes.

Virginia Daycare Licensing: Fees & Key Numbers

The statute-cited figures that shape your Virginia launch budget and timeline.

Application fee
Virginia's nonrefundable license application fee is set by licensed capacity for programs operating at least 12 weeks per year: $28 for capacity 1-12, $70 for 13-25, $140 for 26-50, $210 for 51-75, $280 for 76-200, and $400 for 201+ (with $50 for capacity 1-50 and $110 for capacity 51+ for programs running under 12 weeks; family day systems pay a $140 flat fee); the capacity-based schedule applies to child day programs (8VAC20-821-150).
Annual renewal fee
Virginia issues licenses for a two-year period, and the same capacity-based fee in 8VAC20-821-150 ($28-$400 by licensed capacity) is charged at each two-year application cycle; no separate, lower renewal-only fee is specified (8VAC20-821-150).
Pre-service training
Virginia does not set a numeric pre-service clock-hour total; instead, child day center staff must complete orientation training covering 11 required topics (including child abuse and neglect reporting, emergency preparedness, and SIDS/shaken-baby/abusive-head-trauma prevention) prior to working alone with children and no later than seven days after assuming job responsibilities, with the VDOE-sponsored orientation course completed within 90 calendar days of employment and first aid/CPR within 30 days of the first day of employment (8VAC20-780-240).
Annual training
Virginia child day center staff must complete annually a minimum of 16 hours of training appropriate to the age of children in care, in addition to orientation requirements (8VAC20-780-245, Ongoing training).
License-exempt threshold
A Virginia family day home may care for up to four children (exclusive of the provider's own and resident children) without a license, but family day homes serving five through 12 children shall be licensed, and no family day home shall care for more than four children under the age of two — including the provider's own and resident children — unless it is licensed or voluntarily registered (Code of Virginia § 22.1-289.02 [family day home definition]; licensure thresholds in Code of Virginia Title 22.1, Chapter 14.1, Article 3).
Family child care capacity
A Virginia family day home is defined as caring for one through 12 children under age 13 (exclusive of the provider's own and resident children); the department sets each home's maximum licensed capacity case-by-case based on adequate space and provider circumstances (8VAC20-800-40), and staffing is governed by a 16-point-per-caregiver system (birth-15 months = 4 points each, 16-23 months = 3, ages 2-4 = 2, ages 5-9 = 1, age 10+ = 0), so an additional caregiver is required once a caregiver's children exceed 16 points (Code of Virginia § 22.1-289.02; 8VAC20-800-40; 8VAC20-800-570).
Indoor square footage
Virginia child day centers licensed on or after June 1, 2008 must provide at least 35 square feet of indoor wall-to-wall space per child (current and subsequent licensees at currently licensed facilities may continue at 25 sq ft per child), plus at least 75 square feet of outdoor play space per child present at any one time (8VAC20-780-310).
Inspection schedule
Annual; complaint investigations; re-inspections following violations

The 8 Steps to Open a Daycare in Virginia

Follow these in order. Each step is grounded in Virginia's childcare licensing rules.

  1. Research your state's rules

    Confirm whether your program needs a license in Virginia. A Virginia family day home may care for up to four children (exclusive of the provider's own and resident children) without a license, but family day homes serving five through 12 children shall be licensed, and no family day home shall care for more than four children under the age of two — including the provider's own and resident children — unless it is licensed or voluntarily registered (Code of Virginia § 22.1-289.02 [family day home definition]; licensure thresholds in Code of Virginia Title 22.1, Chapter 14.1, Article 3).

    Read the rule that defines license-exempt care before you do anything else — it determines whether you operate as a family child care home, a center, or an exempt arrangement.

  2. Complete pre-service training & CPR

    Finish the required pre-service training and certifications. Virginia does not set a numeric pre-service clock-hour total; instead, child day center staff must complete orientation training covering 11 required topics (including child abuse and neglect reporting, emergency preparedness, and SIDS/shaken-baby/abusive-head-trauma prevention) prior to working alone with children and no later than seven days after assuming job responsibilities, with the VDOE-sponsored orientation course completed within 90 calendar days of employment and first aid/CPR within 30 days of the first day of employment (8VAC20-780-240).

    Plan for ongoing training too: Virginia child day center staff must complete annually a minimum of 16 hours of training appropriate to the age of children in care, in addition to orientation requirements (8VAC20-780-245, Ongoing training).

  3. Pass background checks

    Submit fingerprint-based background checks for yourself and every staff member, volunteer, and (where applicable) household member before anyone has unsupervised access to children.

    Background-check clearance often takes the longest of any single step — start it early so it doesn't gate your opening date.

  4. Prepare your facility

    Set up a space that meets Virginia's facility standards. Virginia child day centers licensed on or after June 1, 2008 must provide at least 35 square feet of indoor wall-to-wall space per child (current and subsequent licensees at currently licensed facilities may continue at 25 sq ft per child), plus at least 75 square feet of outdoor play space per child present at any one time (8VAC20-780-310).

    Match your enrollment plan to capacity limits: A Virginia family day home is defined as caring for one through 12 children under age 13 (exclusive of the provider's own and resident children); the department sets each home's maximum licensed capacity case-by-case based on adequate space and provider circumstances (8VAC20-800-40), and staffing is governed by a 16-point-per-caregiver system (birth-15 months = 4 points each, 16-23 months = 3, ages 2-4 = 2, ages 5-9 = 1, age 10+ = 0), so an additional caregiver is required once a caregiver's children exceed 16 points (Code of Virginia § 22.1-289.02; 8VAC20-800-40; 8VAC20-800-570).

  5. Submit your license application & fee

    File your application with the Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs and pay the licensing fee. Virginia's nonrefundable license application fee is set by licensed capacity for programs operating at least 12 weeks per year: $28 for capacity 1-12, $70 for 13-25, $140 for 26-50, $210 for 51-75, $280 for 76-200, and $400 for 201+ (with $50 for capacity 1-50 and $110 for capacity 51+ for programs running under 12 weeks; family day systems pay a $140 flat fee); the capacity-based schedule applies to child day programs (8VAC20-821-150).

    Include your parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and operations manual — inspectors ask for these at the initial visit.

  6. Pass the licensing inspection

    Schedule and pass your pre-licensing inspection. Annual; complaint investigations; re-inspections following violations

    The inspector checks ratios, square footage, sanitation, emergency preparedness, and your written policies against the regulations.

  7. Open your doors

    Once your license is issued, you can legally begin caring for children under Virginia rules. Maintain the staff-to-child ratios at all times: Infant (0-16 months) 1:4, Toddler (16-24 months) 1:5, Toddler (2 years) 1:6, Preschool (3 years) 1:9, Preschool (4-5 years) 1:10

    Keep certifications current and your handbook updated — these are the items most often cited at renewal.

  8. Enroll families

    Use your compliant enrollment paperwork to bring in families. A complete, Virginia-specific parent handbook signals professionalism and keeps you inspection-ready from day one.

    Required enrollment and admission forms must be signed before a child's first day — have them ready before you advertise open spots.

What You Need to Apply in Virginia

Virginia licensing requires these documents and forms at the initial application and inspection.

  • Enrollment Application
  • Emergency Contact Form
  • Physical Exam/Health Assessment
  • Immunization Record
  • Medication Administration Authorization
  • Parent Handbook Receipt

Staff-to-child ratios you must maintain

Virginia requires these maximum staff-to-child ratios, enforced by the Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs: Infant (0-16 months) 1:4, Toddler (16-24 months) 1:5, Toddler (2 years) 1:6, Preschool (3 years) 1:9, Preschool (4-5 years) 1:10.

Skip the 80-hour paperwork grind

Get your Virginia licensing kit

The inspector asks for a parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and an operations manual — all Virginia-specific. The TotReady Startup Bundle gives you every document you need to apply, ready to customize in about 30 minutes.

See the Startup Bundle →

One-time purchase · Virginia-specific documents

Starting a Daycare in Virginia: FAQs

Do I need a license to start a daycare in Virginia?
A Virginia family day home may care for up to four children (exclusive of the provider's own and resident children) without a license, but family day homes serving five through 12 children shall be licensed, and no family day home shall care for more than four children under the age of two — including the provider's own and resident children — unless it is licensed or voluntarily registered (Code of Virginia § 22.1-289.02 [family day home definition]; licensure thresholds in Code of Virginia Title 22.1, Chapter 14.1, Article 3).
How much does it cost to get a daycare license in Virginia?
Virginia's nonrefundable license application fee is set by licensed capacity for programs operating at least 12 weeks per year: $28 for capacity 1-12, $70 for 13-25, $140 for 26-50, $210 for 51-75, $280 for 76-200, and $400 for 201+ (with $50 for capacity 1-50 and $110 for capacity 51+ for programs running under 12 weeks; family day systems pay a $140 flat fee); the capacity-based schedule applies to child day programs (8VAC20-821-150). Renewal: Virginia issues licenses for a two-year period, and the same capacity-based fee in 8VAC20-821-150 ($28-$400 by licensed capacity) is charged at each two-year application cycle; no separate, lower renewal-only fee is specified (8VAC20-821-150).
Who issues daycare licenses in Virginia?
Childcare licensing in Virginia is handled by the Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs. You apply to this agency, pay the licensing fee, and schedule your inspection through them.
What training do I need before opening a daycare in Virginia?
Virginia does not set a numeric pre-service clock-hour total; instead, child day center staff must complete orientation training covering 11 required topics (including child abuse and neglect reporting, emergency preparedness, and SIDS/shaken-baby/abusive-head-trauma prevention) prior to working alone with children and no later than seven days after assuming job responsibilities, with the VDOE-sponsored orientation course completed within 90 calendar days of employment and first aid/CPR within 30 days of the first day of employment (8VAC20-780-240).

Keep researching Virginia

Virginia Licensing Requirements

Full handbook sections, ratios, immunization rules, and penalties for Virginia.

Read more →

How to Start a Daycare: Complete Guide

The cross-state playbook, from choosing a program type to opening day.

Read more →

License-Exemption Thresholds by State

Compare when a license is required across all 50 states.

Read more →

Licensing Fees by State

Application and renewal fee data for every state we track.

Read more →

Licensing rules change. The figures above are compiled from Virginia statutes and agency materials and are provided for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Virginia Department of Social Services, Division of Licensing Programs before applying. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal advice.