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Childhood Development Homes 

  For Childcare Educator Operators (CEOs)

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U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes represent one of the most common and trusted forms of child care in the United States—particularly for infants and young children. Families choose Childhood Development Homes for their intimate, home-like environment, small group size, consistent caregiver, flexible hours, and individualized care—all of which support strong relationships and healthy child development.

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Under the Code of Virginia, U-LAUNCH-approved Childhood Development Homes may provide care for one through nine children under the age of thirteen. Care is provided within the Childcare Educator Operator’s (CEO’s) home and operates under the oversight of U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes, a Licensed Family Day System, and its governing Childhood Development Homes Authority (CDHA).

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During the absence of a parent or guardian for periods of less than 24 hours, the Approved Childhood Development Home CEO assumes full responsibility for the supervision, protection, and well-being of the children in care.

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U-LAUNCH’s Standard Operating Procedures, developed by U-LAUNCH: CDH and enforced by CDHA, ensure that all activities, services, and home-based learning environments are safe, nurturing, developmentally appropriate, and supportive of each child’s overall well-being.

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How Oversight Works: Approved HOMES

 

Approved Childhood Development Homes are regulated by the U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes Authority (CDHA)—an entity separate from the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE)—which conducts home operations, monitoring, and evaluation across the system through Approved HOMES.

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This means Approved homes are not only licensed and compliant, but also continuously monitored, supported, and held to higher standards for both child development and business operations through:

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• Quarterly inspections

• Home Observation Measuring Evaluation (HOME) Visits using the Home Observation Measuring Evaluation (HOME) Tool

• Public Home Observation Measuring Evaluation (HOME) Report Cards

• Ongoing coaching and technical assistance

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Need Assistance?

For questions regarding the Childhood Development Homes Authority (CDHA), the Certificate of Approval, or program support, please contact your Program Specialist or reach out to CDHA directly.

📧 cdha@ulaunchit.com 

📞 571-552-2793

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How to Become a CEO of an Approved 

 Childhood Development Home 

​Becoming a Childcare Educator Operator (CEO) is a structured, step-by-step process designed to ensure you are prepared to operate a compliant, high-quality, and sustainable home-based childcare business within the U-LAUNCH: CDH system.​

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Step 1: Attend Phase I – Pre-Application Training (Required)

Attend one of our upcoming webinars and complete Phase I: Pre-Application Training for a Childcare Educator Operator. This training provides information about:

• The application process

• System requirements

• Key considerations before applying

After completion, your Program Specialist will email your Certificate of Completion.

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Step 2: Review Required Information

Before moving forward, review the following:

• Welcome letter

• Standards for Licensed Family Day Homes | Normas Para Centros De Cuidado Infantil Familiar Diurno Con Licencia

• Information about Background Checks for Childhood Development Homes

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Step 3: Attend Phase II – Pre-Membership Orientation (Required)

Contact CDHA in your region to sign up for Phase II: Pre-Membership Orientation for Approved Childhood Development Homes. This required orientation focuses on:

• U-LAUNCH Standard Operating Procedures

• System expectations and compliance requirements

• Questions and guidance from your Program Specialist

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Step 4: Confirm Zoning

Contact your local zoning office to determine the number of children you may request to serve in your home.

 

Note: Written verification of zoning requirements is required as part of your application.

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Step 5: Submit Your Initial Application

Complete your initial application for Approval and submit it with all required attachments via email to:

📧 cdha@ulaunchit.com

 

Important: To ensure timely processing, submit a complete application at least 60 days before your planned launch date. Incomplete applications will delay review. Model forms are provided below.
Application fees are not being collected by CDHA through June 2026.

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• Budget Form (with instructions)

• Zoning form signed by the zoning official

• Documentation of completed Phase II Pre-Association Orientation

• Verification of age for the applicant, assistant(s) and substitute provider(s)

• Documentation of the provider’s education

• Documentation of the provider’s programmatic experience

• Proof of current first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification

• Tuberculosis (TB) Test/Screening results for all caregivers and adult household members (completed within the last 30 days)

• Background checks for all caregivers, household members, individuals listed in the business entity section of the application (completed within the last 90 days)

• Three letters of reference for all individuals listed in the business entity section of the application (reference letters must not be dated more than 12 months prior to the date of the application from three persons not related to the individual by blood or marriage who have known the individual for at least one month and can attest to his/her character and reputation) – This is not required for public agencies

• A credit reference for the business entity – This is not required for public agencies

• Documentation of a fictitious name from the Virginia State Corporation Commission (VSCC) if the home will operate under a name other than that of the business entity

• If applicable, business entity paperwork such as partnership agreements, association bylaws, or certificates and articles of formation from the VSCC

 

Step 6: Prepare for Your Home Inspection

After you have completed Steps 1–5 and your application is complete, a Program Specialist will contact you to schedule an inspection of your home.

This inspection verifies that your home meets U-LAUNCH: CDH standards for:

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• Health and safety

• Program setup and environment

• Compliance with system requirements

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Step 7: Enroll in the CEO Apprenticeship Program (Required)

As part of the U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes system, all new Childcare Educator Operators (CEOs) are enrolled in the CEO Apprenticeship Program as a required step in the approval and launch process.

The CEO Apprenticeship Program provides structured On-the-Job Training (OJT) and related instruction focused on:

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• Operating an Approved Childhood Development Home

• Meeting health, safety, and compliance standards

• Implementing program quality and learning practices

• Managing business operations and record keeping

• Participating in Approved HOMES monitoring and evaluation

 

Enrollment in the CEO Apprenticeship Program ensures that every Approved Childhood Development Home is not only compliant at launch, but also supported, supervised, and developed over time as part of U-LAUNCH: CDH’s integrated workforce and quality system.

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Step 8: Final Approval and Launch

After Steps 1–7, and upon successful inspection and onboarding into the CEO Apprenticeship Program, you may receive your Certificate for Approval and begin operating as an Approved Childhood Development Home under the U-LAUNCH: CDH system.

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How to Renew Your Certificate of Approval

 

To ensure timely processing, you must submit a complete renewal application to the Childhood Development Homes Authority (CDHA) at least 60 days prior to the expiration date of the current certificate of approval.

 

A complete renewal application includes the following forms and required attachments. Please note that application fees are not being collected by the CDHA through June 2026. Zoning verification may be needed if there are requested changes in capacity or a special use permit has expired. 

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• Renewal Membership Application for Childhood Development Homes Association

• Contact with Local Zoning Administrator, if needed

• Supplemental Staff Information Sheet, if needed

 

Complete a renewal application and upload the application and all required attachments via email to cdha@ulaunchit.com.  If you are unable to upload the required documents or have questions about the renewal process, please contact your assigned program specialist.

 

Model Forms

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• Assistant/Substitute Provider Record (PDF)

• Authorization to Apply a Non-Prescription Topical Skin Product (PDF)

• Budget Form (with instructions) (PDF)

• Caregiver Reference (PDF)

• Checklist for Adult Household Members (PDF)

• Child's Record (PDF)

• Contact with Zoning Administrator (PDF)

• Emergency Preparedness & Response Plan (PDF)

• General Permission for Regularly Scheduled Trips (PDF)

• Information for Parents (PDF)

• Initial Application for Childhood Development Home (PDF)

• Injury Record (PDF)

• Liability Insurance Declaration (PDF)

• Medication Administration - Decision to Administer (PDF)

• Medication Administration Log for Child Day Programs - Individual Child (PDF)

• Medication Administration Log for Child Day Programs - Multiple Children (PDF)

• Medication Authorization (PDF)

• Permission to Participate in Swimming or Wading Activities (PDF)

• Provider Record Checklist (PDF)

• Provisions of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (Word)

• Record of Annual Training (PDF)

• Record of Daily Attendance (PDF)

• Record of Emergency Response Drills (PDF)

• Renewal Application for Childhood Development Home (PDF)

• Report of Tuberculosis Screening Evaluation (PDF)

• School Entrance Health Form (PDF)

• Special Field Trip Permission (PDF)

• Staffing Recommendations for a Child with Special Needs (PDF)

• Substitute Provider Time Sheet (PDF)

• Supplemental Staff Information Sheet (PDF)

• Weekly Menu (PDF)

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