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Licensing
The Division of Licensing Programs protects children and vulnerable adults in day and residential care settings. It operates from Home Office in Richmond, Virginia and eight licensing offices statewide.
The Division of Licensing Programs regulates the following children's programs:
- Licensed child day centers
- Licensed family day homes
- Voluntarily registered family day homes
- Religious exempt child day centers
Child Day Center is defined as a "child day program offered to (i) two or more children under the age of thirteen in a facility that is not the residence of the provider or of any of the children in care or (ii) 13 or more children in a single location."
Child care centers operated by religious institutions may be exempt from licensure, per section 63.2-1716 of the Code of Virginia. Outlined in the Code are the requirements for religious exempt child day centers, which, unlike licensed centers do not have to meet the regulations, prescribed by the Child Day Care Council. Religious exempt child care facilities must meet the requirements for exemption from federal taxes for religious purposes, or be exempt from paying local real estate taxes on the property owned by the sponsoring religious institution.
A Family Day Home provides care for six to 12 children in the residence of the provider or the residence of any of the children in care. The six to 12 children excludes the provider's own children and any children who reside in the home.
Voluntary registration is a form of regulation offered to family day homes that are not required to be licensed. These homes have fewer than 6 children in care not including provider's own children and any children who reside in the home.
VA Department of Social Services. The Division of Licensing Programs protects children and vulnerable adults in day and residential care settings. It operates from Home Office in Richmond, Virginia and eight licensing offices statewide.
Voluntary Registration is a form of regulation offered to family day homes that are not required to be licensed. These homes have fewer than 6 children in care not including provider's own children and any children who reside in the home.
Religious exempt child care facilities seeking exemption must submit certain documents to the Virginia Department of Social Services annually.