Child care resources for Virginia parents

Several months ago, I posted a list of questions that my wife and I used to ensure that we were getting useful information out of our interviews with child care providers. Of course, interviews are only part of the screening process. Parents will also want to verify provider licensing information, and ensure that the provider is compliant with applicable state (and local, but primarily state) laws.

Following are a few useful resources for Virginia parents:

• Search for licensed child care providers by provider name, county or zip code via the Virginia Department of Social Services – Provides licensing information, unannounced visit reports, and contact information for a given provider’s past inspector(s). You can also search for unlicensed providers via this system.
• Choosing Qualiy Child Care – A Resource Guide (PDF) – An overview of state-recognized child care options, and a number of very helpful forms, checklists, and reference documents.
• Child Day-Care Council code sections – The portion of the Virginia Administrative Code (state law) that applies to child day care providers, facility managers, etc. This is a great resource for determining whether a given provider meets the minimum requirements for staffing, space, equipment and safety.