Navigating the unique requirements for starting or growing an in-home or center-based childcare business can be challenging! The Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center’s “Pathway to Success Childcare Program” provides free assistance from qualified experts who understand the nuances of the childcare industry.
Got questions? Click the button to sign up for an appointment with a Valley SBDC Advisor.
Resources:
ChildCare VA
ChildCare VA is the Virginia Department of Education website where licensing and regulatory information can be located.
- Becoming a Licensed Provider
- Licensing Offices Contact Information
- The Shenandoah Valley region falls under the “Valley” or “Piedmont” local offices.
- Child Card Subsidy Program provides information on how to become a subsidy provider.
Child Care Aware of Virginia
Child Care Aware® of Virginia is a community-based network of child care and early education specialists that delivers services to families, child care professionals, and communities.
The “Opening a Child Care Business in Virginia” is a step-by-step guide that is easy to follow.
The VA Child Care & ECE Job Hub is a board where employers post job openings and search for employees.
The “Child Care Hiring & Onboarding Guide” helps with resources and tips to assist with every step of the hiring process.
The VA Shared Services Network offers templates, discounts, and additional resources on a subscription basis ($120 a year for centers, $60 a year for family day home providers).
Access an interactive map that displays demographic data related to childcare accessibility by locality.
Understanding the child care landscape is a crucial first step toward advocating for an equitable, accessible, and affordable child care system. Review the latest data on Child Care Aware.
Ready Regions
Ready Regions Blue Ridge and Ready Regions West provide industry data, support for providers and families, administer the Mixed Delivery Grant, allocate subsidy slots, and oversee the VBQ5 program.
Ready Regions Blue Ridge serves Page, Rockingham, and Augusta Counties. Ready Regions West serves Rockbridge, Highland, and Bath Counties.
ChildCare.gov
Childcare.gov – Virginia: Understanding and Finding Child Care Resources provides basic information and links for understanding Virginia’s child care licensing requirements, inspections, and more.
The Virginia Department of Education
The Virginia Department of Education is responsible for the child care licensing and the child care subsidy program in the Commonwealth of Virginia.
The Virginia Infant and Toddler Specialist Network
The Virginia Infant and Toddler Specialist Network (VA ITSN) equips child care professionals with the skills needed to provide quality early care and education to children ages 0 – 3. Specialists offer free resources for family day home providers and child care centers with infants and toddlers in their care.
Financing
The Virginia Early Childcare Foundation
The Virginia Early Childcare Foundation (VECF) builds a strategic and sustained focus on the healthy development and school readiness of our youngest children.
Unified Virginia Quality Birth to Five System (VQB5)
To prepare all children for kindergarten, Virginia’s early childhood system must ensure that all children have quality teaching and learning experiences that meet their unique needs. In response to state law, Virginia developed the Unified Virginia Quality Birth to Five System (VQB5).
Blue Ridge Community College – Early Childhood Development Programs
Make a positive impact on the lives of children and take your early childhood career to the next level with BRCC’s Early Childhood Development program.
Rockbridge County, Lexington, and Buena Vista Residents
For more information specific to your area, visit Rockbridge County’s providers page on their Childcare Resource Hub.
2024 & 2025 Childcare Resource Fairs:
The Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center was excited to host the 2024 and 2025 Childcare Resource Fairs, designed to acquaint childcare providers with support resources available to them at the state and local level.
These events featured a presentation by Karen White, of the Virginia Small Business Financing Authority. She discussed special Child Care Financing that offers loans to eligible providers ranging from $15,000 – $250,000 at 0% interest.
Featured exhibitors include representatives from ChildCare Aware of VA, Ready Regions Blue Ridge, the Virginia Department of Education’s Office of Early Access and Enrollment, Blue Ridge Community College’s Early Childhood Development program, the VA Infant Toddler Specialist Network, the Shenandoah Community Capital Fund, and other supporting agencies, including VPN!