Regulatory Requirements
The law defines the types of child care subject to regulation. Not all child care is regulated. In Virginia, there are five types of family day homes. They are licensed, voluntarily registered, family day care system homes, local agency approved, and unregulated. Centers are either licensed, unlicensed, or unregulated. The allowed capacity, requirements, and level of monitoring vary among regulated care. There are no requirements for unregulated care.
In Virginia, a family day home provider is required to be licensed if at any one time she cares for more than five children from birth through age 12 in her home, other than her own children or children who reside in the home. In addition, a family day home provider who cares for more than four children under two years of age in her home at any one time, including her own children or children who reside in the home, must be licensed unless they are exempt from licensure in accordance with the law.
For information on licensing issues you may contact the licensing information line toll free at 1-800-543-7545.
What to Expect from Your Provider
In addition to doing your part, you should expect that your provider will do her part as well. At a minimum, you should expect that the provider fulfill the terms of the contract. The contract usually only covers a vary small part of what occurs in the child care program. Consequently, there will be additional expectations over and above those outlined in the contract.
The provider should inform parents about significant occurrences. Examples include changes in napping, eating, toileting, disposition, child's likes and dislikes, and issues with other children, including contagious illnesses affecting other children so that you can be alert to possible symptoms in your child. She should share new day care events, e.g., changes in staff, new activities, and schedule changes.
You should expect the provider to meet the child's basic needs during the period of time the child is in her care. Indicators that this is likely occurring include observations of a clean and safe environment, the serving of nutritious meals and snacks, and children being encouraged to learn and grow.
You should expect the provider to be pleasant to parents and children. You and your child should feel welcome at the child care program. As the parent-provider relationship matures, it should begin to feel like a friendship.
Your Role as a Parent
For a placement to be truly successful, it is crucial that parents and providers work together. Open communication between parent and provider is essential. Any information which affects the placement needs to be shared between parents and providers. It is important that parents and providers agree on how to handle issues such as discipline, daily schedules, nutrition, and safety. Everyone benefits when information is shared between parent and provider.
Information Parents Need to Give Providers:
- Emergency information: telephone numbers of where parents can be reached at all times, names and telephone numbers of all persons who can be contacted when parents can not be located, and names and telephone numbers of physicians and hospitals.
- List of persons authorized to pick up your child. If there is anyone you don't want to pick up your child, indicate that as well.
- Child's general health including any allergies and any special needs.
- Daily report. Inform your provider of any significant occurrence since she last cared for your child or any upcoming change. Examples: child had a restless night, child is congested, child is teething, family or a special friend is moving, parents are expecting a new baby, parents are separating, major illness or death of someone close to the child, a missing or ill pet, information about a new pet, etc.
** Always give your provider the most up-to-date information **
Monitoring your Child's Day Care Setting
Once you've made your decision, your job is not over. It is your responsibility as a parent to continuously monitor your child's day care arrangements.
It is important to make some unexpected visits as well as occasionally staying a little longer when you drop off your child and when you pick up your child. Child care providers should feel perfectly comfortable with your stopping by at any time. You should be considerate of the activity which is occurring at the time you arrive by trying to minimize the disruption.
Because needs and circumstances change, you should re-evaluate the program every three to six months and at any other time you have concerns. The areas to examine are: (1) the relationship between the provider and the children, (2) the discipline practices, (3) the education/activity program, (4) the nutritional program, (5) the physical setting, (6) the playground, and (7) the relationship between the provider and you.
If you have concerns and feel that your child, or any other child, may be at risk or has been abused and/or neglected at your child's day care setting, you may report this by calling you local department of social services or the Virginia Child Protective Services Hotline at 1-800-552-7096.
Additional Resources
Virginia Department of Social Services Division of Licensing Programs
Theater Row Building
730 East Broad Street
Richmond, Virginia 23219-1849
(434) 692-1787
Internet address: http://www.dss.state.va.us
Licensing Information Line
Toll Free 1-800-543-7545
Statewide Human Services Information and Referral
1-800-230-6977
Piedmont Regional Office
Commonwealth of Virginia Building
210 Church Avenue, SW
Suite 100
Roanoke, Virginia 24011-1779
(540) 857-7920
Charlotte County Department of Social Services
P.O. Drawer 440
Charlotte Court House, Virginia 23923
1-800-969-5164
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