West Virginia Launch Guide

How to Start a Daycare in West Virginia (2026)

Last updated: June 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Opening a licensed daycare in West Virginia means applying to the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Family Assistance, Division of Early Care and Education (Child Care Licensing). Effective Jan 1, 2024, the former Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) was split into three departments; child care licensing now sits under DoHS. The current child care center rule (78 CSR 1, filed Mar 30, 2023, effective Apr 1, 2023) is captioned 'Department of Human Services,' but its internal definitions (e.g., §78-1-3.52 'Secretary') still reference the 'Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources.', 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 West Virginia's licensing statutes.

West Virginia Daycare Licensing: Fees & Key Numbers

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

Application fee
West Virginia's child care licensing rules impose no initial application or registration fee for family child care homes, family child care facilities, or child care centers—no fee provision exists in 78 CSR 1 (Child Care Centers Licensing), 78 CSR 18 (Family Child Care Facility Licensing Requirements), or 78 CSR 19 (Family Child Care Home Registration Requirements) (verified: no fee provision in 78 CSR 1, 78 CSR 18, or 78 CSR 19).
Annual renewal fee
West Virginia charges no license or registration renewal fee; a center license, family child care facility license, or family child care home certificate of registration is valid for up to two (2) years and is renewed by submitting an application—at least sixty (60) days before expiration for centers (78 CSR 1 §4.2.c) and facilities (78 CSR 18 §4.1.b), and at least thirty (30) days before expiration for homes (78 CSR 19 §4.1.b)—at no cost (validity periods: 78 CSR 1 §4.1.b; 78 CSR 18 §4.4.a; 78 CSR 19 §4.5.a; no fee provision exists in any of the three rules).
Pre-service training
No fixed statewide pre-service clock-hour total applies before contact; orientation must be received before a staff member has sole responsibility for children, and specific thresholds vary by setting—a child care center must provide each staff member orientation prior to or during the first week of employment and before sole responsibility for a group of children, ensure CPR/First Aid within six (6) months of employment, and, for an infant/toddler (24 months and under) program, ensure each qualified staff member completes a minimum of forty (40) hours of approved training related to the care of children 24 months and under before the program starts (78 CSR 1 §8.6.d, §8.6.f.1, §8.6.i.1); family child care home caregivers must obtain basic first aid plus two (2) hours of approved health and safety training within the first six months of registration (78 CSR 19 §6.3.a.1 and §6.3.a.2). Training is approved through the WV State Training and Registry System (STARS).
Annual training
Annual continuing-education clock hours vary by setting: family child care home caregivers must complete eight (8) hours of approved training annually covering at least two Core Knowledge/Core Competency areas (78 CSR 19 §6.3.b); family child care facility staff must complete at least twelve (12) clock hours of approved training annually and the facility operator at least fifteen (15) clock hours annually (78 CSR 18 §15.1.k–l and §14.1.a.5); child care center qualified staff must complete fifteen (15) hours of approved training within the first year of employment and thereafter complete the training needed to keep their WV STARS credential current (78 CSR 1 §8.7.a and §8.7.c).
License-exempt threshold
In West Virginia, an "informal family child care home" caring for three (3) or fewer children, and "relative family child care" (care only for children related to the caregiver), are exempt from mandatory licensing and registration—though they may voluntarily register; mandatory registration begins at the family child care home level (four to six children), every such home being required to obtain a certificate of registration (W. Va. Code §49-1-206 [definitions: informal = three or fewer; family child care home = four to six]; §49-2-113(d) requires registration of every family day-care home, §49-2-113(e) lists exemptions including related-family care, and §49-2-113(g) provides that any informal or relative family child-care home "may voluntarily register and obtain a certificate of registration").
Family child care capacity
A West Virginia family child care HOME may care for no more than six (6) children under thirteen (13) years of age at any one time, with no more than two (2) under twenty-four (24) months of age, operated by a single caregiver (substitutes only fill in temporarily) (78 CSR 19 §6.6.a). A "family child care facility" provides care for seven (7) to twelve (12) children (W. Va. Code §49-1-206) and must have two (2) staff members on duty whenever it cares for more than two children under 24 months OR more than six children at the same time (78 CSR 18 §7.1.a); informal family child care is limited to three (3) or fewer children (W. Va. Code §49-1-206).
Indoor square footage
West Virginia requires a minimum of thirty-five (35) square feet of usable indoor space per child for daily program activities and seventy-five (75) square feet of outdoor activity space per child, applied to child care centers (78 CSR 1 §12.2.a and §12.3.a) and to family child care facilities (78 CSR 18 §18.1.e and §18.1.k); family child care homes require a minimum of thirty-five (35) square feet of indoor space per child (78 CSR 19 §7.1.b.7).
Inspection schedule
The Secretary may conduct announced and unannounced inspections of all aspects of the center's operation and premises (W. Va. Code R. §78-1-5.1). A regular license/certificate of approval is valid for up to two (2) years (§78-1-4.1.b, §78-1-4.5.b); new providers receive an initial six-month license (§78-1-4.5.a); a provisional license is issued to a licensee not in full compliance who does not pose a significant risk (§78-1-4.5.c). Renewal applications are due not less than 60 days before expiration (§78-1-4.2.c). The center rule does not fix a separate fixed annual visit cadence; pre-licensing State Fire Marshal and county Department of Health inspections are required at licensure and after operational/structural changes (§78-1-4).

The 8 Steps to Open a Daycare in West Virginia

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

  1. Research your state's rules

    Confirm whether your program needs a license in West Virginia. In West Virginia, an "informal family child care home" caring for three (3) or fewer children, and "relative family child care" (care only for children related to the caregiver), are exempt from mandatory licensing and registration—though they may voluntarily register; mandatory registration begins at the family child care home level (four to six children), every such home being required to obtain a certificate of registration (W. Va. Code §49-1-206 [definitions: informal = three or fewer; family child care home = four to six]; §49-2-113(d) requires registration of every family day-care home, §49-2-113(e) lists exemptions including related-family care, and §49-2-113(g) provides that any informal or relative family child-care home "may voluntarily register and obtain a certificate of registration").

    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. No fixed statewide pre-service clock-hour total applies before contact; orientation must be received before a staff member has sole responsibility for children, and specific thresholds vary by setting—a child care center must provide each staff member orientation prior to or during the first week of employment and before sole responsibility for a group of children, ensure CPR/First Aid within six (6) months of employment, and, for an infant/toddler (24 months and under) program, ensure each qualified staff member completes a minimum of forty (40) hours of approved training related to the care of children 24 months and under before the program starts (78 CSR 1 §8.6.d, §8.6.f.1, §8.6.i.1); family child care home caregivers must obtain basic first aid plus two (2) hours of approved health and safety training within the first six months of registration (78 CSR 19 §6.3.a.1 and §6.3.a.2). Training is approved through the WV State Training and Registry System (STARS).

    Plan for ongoing training too: Annual continuing-education clock hours vary by setting: family child care home caregivers must complete eight (8) hours of approved training annually covering at least two Core Knowledge/Core Competency areas (78 CSR 19 §6.3.b); family child care facility staff must complete at least twelve (12) clock hours of approved training annually and the facility operator at least fifteen (15) clock hours annually (78 CSR 18 §15.1.k–l and §14.1.a.5); child care center qualified staff must complete fifteen (15) hours of approved training within the first year of employment and thereafter complete the training needed to keep their WV STARS credential current (78 CSR 1 §8.7.a and §8.7.c).

  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 West Virginia's facility standards. West Virginia requires a minimum of thirty-five (35) square feet of usable indoor space per child for daily program activities and seventy-five (75) square feet of outdoor activity space per child, applied to child care centers (78 CSR 1 §12.2.a and §12.3.a) and to family child care facilities (78 CSR 18 §18.1.e and §18.1.k); family child care homes require a minimum of thirty-five (35) square feet of indoor space per child (78 CSR 19 §7.1.b.7).

    Match your enrollment plan to capacity limits: A West Virginia family child care HOME may care for no more than six (6) children under thirteen (13) years of age at any one time, with no more than two (2) under twenty-four (24) months of age, operated by a single caregiver (substitutes only fill in temporarily) (78 CSR 19 §6.6.a). A "family child care facility" provides care for seven (7) to twelve (12) children (W. Va. Code §49-1-206) and must have two (2) staff members on duty whenever it cares for more than two children under 24 months OR more than six children at the same time (78 CSR 18 §7.1.a); informal family child care is limited to three (3) or fewer children (W. Va. Code §49-1-206).

  5. Submit your license application & fee

    File your application with the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Family Assistance, Division of Early Care and Education (Child Care Licensing). Effective Jan 1, 2024, the former Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) was split into three departments; child care licensing now sits under DoHS. The current child care center rule (78 CSR 1, filed Mar 30, 2023, effective Apr 1, 2023) is captioned 'Department of Human Services,' but its internal definitions (e.g., §78-1-3.52 'Secretary') still reference the 'Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources.' and pay the licensing fee. West Virginia's child care licensing rules impose no initial application or registration fee for family child care homes, family child care facilities, or child care centers—no fee provision exists in 78 CSR 1 (Child Care Centers Licensing), 78 CSR 18 (Family Child Care Facility Licensing Requirements), or 78 CSR 19 (Family Child Care Home Registration Requirements) (verified: no fee provision in 78 CSR 1, 78 CSR 18, or 78 CSR 19).

    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. The Secretary may conduct announced and unannounced inspections of all aspects of the center's operation and premises (W. Va. Code R. §78-1-5.1). A regular license/certificate of approval is valid for up to two (2) years (§78-1-4.1.b, §78-1-4.5.b); new providers receive an initial six-month license (§78-1-4.5.a); a provisional license is issued to a licensee not in full compliance who does not pose a significant risk (§78-1-4.5.c). Renewal applications are due not less than 60 days before expiration (§78-1-4.2.c). The center rule does not fix a separate fixed annual visit cadence; pre-licensing State Fire Marshal and county Department of Health inspections are required at licensure and after operational/structural changes (§78-1-4).

    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 West Virginia rules. Maintain the staff-to-child ratios at all times: 6 weeks to 12 months 1:4 (max group size 8), 13 to 24 months (1-2 years) 1:4 (max group size 12), 25 to 35 months (2 years) 1:8 (max group size 16), 36 to 47 months (3 years) 1:10 (max group size 20), 48 to 59 months (4 years) 1:12 (max group size 24), 60 months to school-age (5 years) 1:12 (max group size 24), School-age 1:16 (max group size 32)

    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, West 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 West Virginia

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

  • Child Care Center License Application (application as prescribed by the Secretary, per §78-1-4.2.a)
  • Letter of Intent and Needs Assessment Form (Child Care Center Information Packet / Needs Assessment and Letter of Intent, per bfa.wv.gov/child-care-centers)
  • WV CARES self-disclosure application and consent form (signed; on file and uploaded to WV CARES no later than date of hire, per §78-1-8.4.c.1; W. Va. Code §16-49-1 et seq. / 69 CSR 10)
  • Child immunization record / plan for completion signed by a licensed health care provider (§78-1-15.1.a)
  • Child Health Assessment signed by a licensed health care provider (on file no later than 30 days after admission, §78-1-15.2)
  • Signed parent permission for emergency medical treatment and transportation (§78-1-7.4.f)
  • Signed parent permission to release child to designated persons (§78-1-7.4.g)
  • State Fire Marshal inspection report (pre-licensing)
  • County Department of Health Child Care Center Inspection Report (pre-licensing)
  • Emergency/Disaster Planning Form (Bureau for Family Assistance)
  • Request to Amend a License (Bureau for Family Assistance)

Staff-to-child ratios you must maintain

West Virginia requires these maximum staff-to-child ratios, enforced by the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Family Assistance, Division of Early Care and Education (Child Care Licensing). Effective Jan 1, 2024, the former Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) was split into three departments; child care licensing now sits under DoHS. The current child care center rule (78 CSR 1, filed Mar 30, 2023, effective Apr 1, 2023) is captioned 'Department of Human Services,' but its internal definitions (e.g., §78-1-3.52 'Secretary') still reference the 'Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources.': 6 weeks to 12 months 1:4 (max group size 8), 13 to 24 months (1-2 years) 1:4 (max group size 12), 25 to 35 months (2 years) 1:8 (max group size 16), 36 to 47 months (3 years) 1:10 (max group size 20), 48 to 59 months (4 years) 1:12 (max group size 24), 60 months to school-age (5 years) 1:12 (max group size 24), School-age 1:16 (max group size 32).

Skip the 80-hour paperwork grind

Get your West Virginia licensing kit

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

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Starting a Daycare in West Virginia: FAQs

Do I need a license to start a daycare in West Virginia?
In West Virginia, an "informal family child care home" caring for three (3) or fewer children, and "relative family child care" (care only for children related to the caregiver), are exempt from mandatory licensing and registration—though they may voluntarily register; mandatory registration begins at the family child care home level (four to six children), every such home being required to obtain a certificate of registration (W. Va. Code §49-1-206 [definitions: informal = three or fewer; family child care home = four to six]; §49-2-113(d) requires registration of every family day-care home, §49-2-113(e) lists exemptions including related-family care, and §49-2-113(g) provides that any informal or relative family child-care home "may voluntarily register and obtain a certificate of registration").
How much does it cost to get a daycare license in West Virginia?
West Virginia's child care licensing rules impose no initial application or registration fee for family child care homes, family child care facilities, or child care centers—no fee provision exists in 78 CSR 1 (Child Care Centers Licensing), 78 CSR 18 (Family Child Care Facility Licensing Requirements), or 78 CSR 19 (Family Child Care Home Registration Requirements) (verified: no fee provision in 78 CSR 1, 78 CSR 18, or 78 CSR 19). Renewal: West Virginia charges no license or registration renewal fee; a center license, family child care facility license, or family child care home certificate of registration is valid for up to two (2) years and is renewed by submitting an application—at least sixty (60) days before expiration for centers (78 CSR 1 §4.2.c) and facilities (78 CSR 18 §4.1.b), and at least thirty (30) days before expiration for homes (78 CSR 19 §4.1.b)—at no cost (validity periods: 78 CSR 1 §4.1.b; 78 CSR 18 §4.4.a; 78 CSR 19 §4.5.a; no fee provision exists in any of the three rules).
Who issues daycare licenses in West Virginia?
Childcare licensing in West Virginia is handled by the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Family Assistance, Division of Early Care and Education (Child Care Licensing). Effective Jan 1, 2024, the former Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) was split into three departments; child care licensing now sits under DoHS. The current child care center rule (78 CSR 1, filed Mar 30, 2023, effective Apr 1, 2023) is captioned 'Department of Human Services,' but its internal definitions (e.g., §78-1-3.52 'Secretary') still reference the 'Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources.'. 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 West Virginia?
No fixed statewide pre-service clock-hour total applies before contact; orientation must be received before a staff member has sole responsibility for children, and specific thresholds vary by setting—a child care center must provide each staff member orientation prior to or during the first week of employment and before sole responsibility for a group of children, ensure CPR/First Aid within six (6) months of employment, and, for an infant/toddler (24 months and under) program, ensure each qualified staff member completes a minimum of forty (40) hours of approved training related to the care of children 24 months and under before the program starts (78 CSR 1 §8.6.d, §8.6.f.1, §8.6.i.1); family child care home caregivers must obtain basic first aid plus two (2) hours of approved health and safety training within the first six months of registration (78 CSR 19 §6.3.a.1 and §6.3.a.2). Training is approved through the WV State Training and Registry System (STARS).

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Licensing rules change. The figures above are compiled from West Virginia statutes and agency materials and are provided for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS), Bureau for Family Assistance, Division of Early Care and Education (Child Care Licensing). Effective Jan 1, 2024, the former Department of Health and Human Resources (DHHR) was split into three departments; child care licensing now sits under DoHS. The current child care center rule (78 CSR 1, filed Mar 30, 2023, effective Apr 1, 2023) is captioned 'Department of Human Services,' but its internal definitions (e.g., §78-1-3.52 'Secretary') still reference the 'Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Resources.' before applying. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal advice.