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Childhood Development Homes 

 

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 U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes for their intimate, home-like setting, flexible hours, consistency of caregiver, and small group size, all of which support strong relationships and individualized care.

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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: Childhood Development Homes and enforced by the Childhood Development Homes Authority (CDHA), ensure that all activities, services, and home-based learning environments are safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate, and that they support the overall welfare of every child served.

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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 

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1. Attend one of our upcoming webinars and complete the Phase I: Pre-Application Training for a Childcare Educator Operator.  This training provides information about the initial application process and important points of consideration prior to applying for a certificate of approval.  The training is a required training. Once completed a program specialist will email you the certificate of completion. 

2. Review the following information:

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• 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

 

  3. ​Contact the Childhood Development Homes Authority (CDHA) in your region to sign up for Pre-Members Orientation for Associated Childhood Development Homes – Phase 2. This is a required orientation where program specialist will focus on the Standard Operating Procedures for Approved Childhood Development Homes  and answer any of your questions.

 

  4. Contact your local zoning office to determine the number of children you may request to care for in your home.  Note: Written verification of zoning requirements is required as part of the application.

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  5. Complete an initial application for membership and upload the application and all required attachments via email to cdha@ulaunchit.com.  If you are unable to upload the required documents or encounter difficulties online, please contact the CDHA.​

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The following listed documents are required attachments for an initial application for a certificate of association and will need to be uploaded via email to cdha@ulaunchit.com when submitting your initial application. Model forms are provided below, if available.  Application fees are not being collected by the CDHA through June 2026.

 

*Note: To ensure timely processing, the applicant must submit a complete application to the CDHA at least 60 days prior to the home’s planned launch date.  Submission of an incomplete application will delay the review process.  If you need assistance, please contact the CDHA in your region. 

• 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

 

  6.  Prepare for your home inspection. After you have completed steps 1-4 and your application is complete, a program specialist will contact you to schedule an inspection of your home.

 

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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