A daycare license in Virginia is issued by Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Development, which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 7 documents on file for staff and children and meet 6 staff-to-child ratios by age group. Renewal: Annual license renewal required. The checklist below covers what belongs in each file and what has to stay current.
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Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Development requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Development. Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
Free Checklists
See a ready-made enrollment packet →Virginia childcare licensing is administered by the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Development within the Department of Social Services. Any facility serving 5 or more children must be licensed. Virginia's Child Care and Development Services System (CCDSS) includes the Child Care Subsidy Program. HB 2100 (2026) expanded the Child Care Subsidy eligibility threshold and created workforce bonus payments for licensed center employees.
| Age Group | Staff : Children |
|---|---|
| Infants (under 16 months) | 1:4 |
| Toddlers (16–24 months) | 1:5 |
| 2 years | 1:6 |
| Preschool (2–3 years) | 1:8 |
| Preschool (3–5 years) | 1:10 |
| School age | 1:18 |
Ratios shown are a summary and have not yet been checked against Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS), Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Development's rule text. Confirm with the agency before relying on them. Source: Virginia VDSS Child Care
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with child information and emergency contacts.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records per Virginia Department of Health schedule required on file.
Health Assessment
Physician-signed health assessment required within 30 days of enrollment.
Emergency Contact Information
Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
GetDocsSigned tracks every one of these per file and flags what’s missing or expiring.
Start freeSummary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Virginia VDSS Child Care
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Virginia Department of Health for current exemption procedures.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Virginia VDSS Child Care
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
Virginia State Police background check, FBI fingerprint check, and Child Protective Services (CPS) registry check required for all staff.
Lead Teacher Education
Child Development Associate (CDA) credential or relevant ECE coursework required for lead teacher positions.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Must complete pre-service training before working with children.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
Annual professional development training required. Contact VDSS for current hour requirements.
Director Qualifications
Director must hold a Child Development Associate credential or degree in ECE and meet VDSS experience requirements.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Virginia VDSS Child Care
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced inspection annually.
License Renewal
Annual license renewal required.
Application Process
Contact VDSS Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Development to begin the application process.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact VDSS for current fee schedule.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Virginia VDSS Child Care
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified August 2026 · Source: Virginia VDSS Child Care
These are the pages this summary was checked against. The agency's published rules govern; where this page and the agency differ, the agency is right.
Ratios, required documents, and inspection schedules vary from state to state. If you operate near a border, run a second location, or are deciding where to open, start with the states in the South Atlantic.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
One link. Parents complete child information, emergency contacts, pickup, immunizations, health details, and consents on their phone, and the finished packet lands in your account as a PDF. Free to start, no card.