Day Care Referrals

 

Finding "the right place" for your child can take time and effort on your part, but it is one of the most important tasks you will ever undertake. Begin your search for child care as early as possible. See the attached on the Children's Services page for providers in your area.

You may also call the Virginia Department of Education, or call the Virginia Statewide Information and Referral System at 1-800-230-6977.

Additional steps to take when choosing quality child care:

  • Check the local newspaper and bulletin boards at work or school.
  • Look up child care in the Yellow Pages.
  • Talk to other parents and people whose opinion you respect.
  • When you've narrowed the list, spend at least 15 minutes in a telephone interview and visit the facility with your child(ren) more than once, with one of the visits unannounced.

In Virginia, a child care provider is required to be licensed if she cares for more than five children from birth through age 12 in her home at any one time, other than her own children or children who reside in the home. In addition, a 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 or registered. Similarly, all child care centers must be licensed unless they are exempt from licensure in accordance with the law.

For additional licensing questions please contact one of the following agencies: 

Child Care Licensing Agency

Virginia Department of Social Services

Division of Licensing Programs

7 North 8th Street, 2nd floor

Richmond, VA 23219-1849

Phone: 804-726-7154

Toll Free: 800-543-7545

Fax: 804-726-7132

Child Care Subsidy Agency

Virginia Department of Social Services

Division of Child Care and Development

Office of Child Care

7 North 8th Street

Richmond, VA 23219-1849

Phone: 804-726-7640

Fax: 804-726-7655

Head Start - State Collaboration Office

Division of Child Care and Development

7 North Eighth Street, 6th Floor

Richmond, VA, 23219-3301

Phone: 804-726-7640

Fax: 804-726-7655

Child Care Food Program Administrator

Mercer Corporate Park

300 Corporate Boulevard

Robbinsville, New Jersey 08691-1598

Phone: 609-259-5050

Fax: 609-259-5128

Child Care Resource and Referral Contact

Virginia Child Care Resource & Referral Network

308 Turner Road, Suite A

Richmond, VA 23225

Phone: 804-285-0846

Toll Free: 866-481-1913

Fax: 804-285-0847

Office of Child Support Enforcement

Division of Child Support Enforcement

7 N. Eighth St., 1st Floor

Richmond, Virginia 23219

Phone: 800-257-9986

Fax: 804-726-7476