Licensed Daycare in Virginia
Find the right daycare in Virginia in under 5 minutes. 3,458 licensed centers — filter by age, cost, and subsidy. Verified weekly against Virginia Department of Education — Office of Child Care Health and Safety. Free, no signup.
Virginia Childcare Licensing
In Virginia, all child care centers serving children outside the family home are required to be licensed by the Virginia Department of Education — Office of Child Care Health and Safety. Licensed centers undergo background checks, capacity inspections, and routine compliance reviews.
Minimum staff-to-child ratios are 1:4 for infants under 12 months, 1:5 for toddlers (12–35 months), and 1:10 for preschool (3–5 years). NAEYC-accredited centers typically operate below the state minimum.
Verify a license at Virginia Department of Education — Office of Child Care Health and SafetyWhat's distinctive about Virginia: Virginia transitioned child-care licensing from Social Services to Education in 2021 — emphasis shifted toward school-readiness outcomes. CCSP serves families up to 85% state median.
Quick licensing facts
- Regulator
- Virginia Department of Education — Office of Child Care Health and Safety
- Infant ratio
- 1:4
- Toddler ratio
- 1:5
- Preschool ratio
- 1:10
- Avg infant cost
- $1,180/mo
- Avg preschool cost
- $880/mo
Top Cities for Daycare in Virginia
View all cities →Virginia Childcare Subsidies & Tax Credits
Virginia families can apply for Virginia Child Care Subsidy Program based on income and work/school status. Federal programs — the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit, Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 cap), and Head Start — stack on top of state assistance.
Local intake line: (866) 873-6515
Official Virginia & Federal Resources
Independently verify any provider, check subsidy eligibility, and access national child-care databases — all official .gov sources.
Recently Verified Centers
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Portsmouth Discovery Preschool #256
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Daycare in Virginia — Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know a daycare in Virginia is licensed?
What is the staff-to-child ratio in Virginia?
How much does daycare cost in Virginia?
Are subsidies available for childcare in Virginia?
How do I report unsafe conditions at a Virginia daycare?
Search 3,458 Licensed Virginia Centers
Free, no signup, filter by age and subsidy acceptance.