Childcare Educator Operators (CEO)

Become an Approved CEO

Approved early childhood care and education has a great effect on the lives of children and their families. U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes Authority is expanding to work with all of the Commonwealth’s birth-to-five early childhood care and education and home school Childcare Educator Operators to support quality experiences for Virginia’s children.

Childhood Development Home programs are defined as regularly operating service arrangement for children where, during the absence of a parent or guardian, a person or organization has agreed to assume responsibility for the supervision, protection and well-being of a child under the age of 13 years for less than a 24-hour period.

Whether you are interested in starting a childhood development home, these resources can help. They will guide you through the steps you need to take to open and run a successful, approved Childhood Development Home program.

What are the benefits to becoming an approved CEO of a Childhood Development Home program?

As an approved Childcare Educator Operator (CEO), you have a competitive advantage over licensed, unlicensed and unregistered providers. Your approved program is held to a higher standard that provides accountability to health and safety standards enforced by U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes Authority NOT VDOE.

Becoming a approved CEO creates opportunities to:

Become established as a professional in your field
Demonstrate a commitment to providing a safe and healthy environment for children
Have an assigned program specialist who is available to answer questions and provide technical assistance
Receive increased subsidy payments for eligible children in your care
Be better prepared to participate in VQB5, Virginia's Quality Measurement and Improvement System
Be included as a member of U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes Association, spotlight of your childhood development home on U-LAUNCH's social media platforms and free listing on VDOE website when you become a subsidy provider
Use your approved status as a marketing tool to solicit and educate prospective parents
Maintain transparency by providing health and safety inspection reports directly to prospective families upon request and through required in-home posting.
Access relevant, up-to-date training and resources
Be connected to the front line of federal/state child care news and CEO requirements
Be eligible to participate in the USDA food program
Be proud of the quality child care you are providing to your community

How do I get my home approved with the CDHA?

Prospective applicants must become familiar with the CDHA requirements of approval, complete certain training, and submit an application for approval. Once a complete application is received, an inspection of your home is required prior to issuance of a Certificate of Approval. Applicants are highly encouraged to complete the online Pre-Application Orientation-Phase 1 training, which is an online training that provides information about the application process. Applicants are required to attend the Pre-Approval Orientation-Phase 2 training provided by U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes Authority (CDHA) that includes an overview of the Code of Virginia, CDHA Standard Operating Procedures, Family Day Homes regulations, completing the application, CEO responsibilities, inspections, the role of the program specialist, and program requirements. Applicants are provided with specific information on health and safety standards and required background checks.

Steps on how to apply to become approved, including details about the optional Phase 1 training and required Phase 2 training, can be found on the webpage .

Applicants are encouraged to contact U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes Authority (CDHA) via email cdha@ulaunchit.com if they have any questions about the CDHA and the approval process. The CDHA team can also connect you with one of their Program Specialists if you need assistance preparing and completing the application.

Note: A general business license to operate from the county within which the CEO conducts business is not the same as a Certificate of Approval obtained from the U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes Authority (CDHA) which holds the Childcare Educator Operator (CEO) accountable to the health and safety standards set forth by the CDHA.

Information about Inspections

The U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes Authority (CDHA) inspects approved Childhood Development Homes prior to operation, quarterly, during program development, and in response to complaints or reported concerns. Of the required quarterly inspections, a minimum of two are unannounced, with up to two announced visits permitted annually to support technical assistance and program growth.

During inspections, Program Specialists use a whole-program approach, applying structured tools and supportive strategies to assess compliance with CDHA regulations and standard operating procedures. This approach is designed not only to ensure health and safety, but also to help Childcare Educator Operators (CEOs) understand expectations, strengthen program quality, and continuously improve their home-based learning environment.

What should I expect during an inspection visit?

There are 6 basic components of an inspection:

Entrance Conference – Program Specialists introduce themselves, explain the inspection process, and ask for any items needed to conduct the inspection.
Tour – Program Specialists walk through the building(s) directly after the entrance conference to observe activities and personal interactions, talk to children and staff, examine the physical plant, and check on general health and hygiene issues.
Interactions and Interviews – Program Specialists speak to children, parents (either during or after an inspection), staff members, and interview the Childcare Educator Operator (CEO) to gather information on compliance with Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), especially those relating to care and services to children.
Observations – In order to thoroughly assess compliance with SOPs, observations will begin from the moment the inspector drives up to the building until the conclusion of the inspection, when the inspector leaves the property. Inspectors pay special attention to the interactions between staff and children, the execution of the program’s internal policies and procedures, and the learning and recreational activities observed.
Documentation Review – Program Specialists conduct a focused examination of child and staff records, key SOPs, and information gathered during interviews and observations.
Exit Meeting – Program Specialists review the results of the inspection with the CEO, listen to and discuss any disputed findings and/or comments about the inspection process, provide consultation, and request a plan of correction for any violations found during the inspections.

Any areas of noncompliance found during an inspection will result in a violation. Violations of key health and safety standards.