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Division of Childhood Development

Homes Association

 

The Division of Childhood Development Homes Association requires a Certificate of Association for any person or entity who provides early childhood development, education and care as an associate member of its childhood development home association.

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The Division of Childhood Development Homes Association commonly known as the CDHA refers children to its associate member's homes, as well as provides its childhood development home's provider with training, technical assistance and consultation, inspection, supervision, and monitoring. The CDHA is also responsible for referring children to available health and social services.

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Regulations require the CDHA to visit member homes quarterly (two visits must be unannounced) to ensure compliance with U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes's standard operating policies and procedures which align with Licensed Family Day Home. Program Specialist and the Department of Education may make unannounced visits to member homes at any time.

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A member home of our CDHA may provide early childhood development, education and care for a maximum of 9 children. The Childhood Development Home Provider is subject to the same requirements for criminal record checks, child abuse/neglect central registry checks, and tuberculosis screenings as a licensed family day home provider.

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Currently, U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes is the only Licensed Family Day Home System located in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia.

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Program Goals and Objectives

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U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes Division of Childhood Development Homes Association goals and objectives are to maintain licensure as a family day system:

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(i) to partner with those with a passion to launch their dreams of opening a homebased childcare business as an approved member of U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes Association;

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(ii) to ensure that the activities, services, of U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes are conducive to the well-being and developmental pathway of children ages birth to twelve;

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(iii) to refer families with children to our system of Childhood Development Homes;

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(iv) through contractual agreement provide central administrative functions, including training of Childhood Development Home Providers;

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(v) to provide technical assistance and consultation to applicants, candidates and Childhood Development Homes;

 

(vi) to conduct inspections, supervision, monitoring, and evaluations of Childhood Development Homes; and

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(vii) to refer children and families to available health and social services

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Childhood Development Homes 

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Childhood Development Homes is the most common form of child care in this country, especially for younger children. Parents may choose Childhood Development Homes for its intimate, home-like setting, flexible hours, consistency of caregiver, and small group size.

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The CDHA mandates the certificate of association of childhood development homes that provide care for one through nine children (exclusive of the provider's own children and any children who reside in the home). The care may be offered in the home of the provider or in the home of any of the children in care.

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A childhood development home caring for more than four children under the age of two, including the provider's own children and any children who reside in the home, must be approved by zoning. A childhood development home where the children in care are all related to the provider by blood or marriage is not required to be associated.

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During the absence (less than 24 hours) of a parent or guardian, the approved childhood development home provider assumes responsibility for the supervision, protection, and well-being of a child under 13 years of age.

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The standard operating procedures, which aligns with the Virginia Board of Education and enforced by the Division of Childhood Development Homes Association, ensure that the activities, services, and facilities of the childhood development home are conducive to the welfare of the children in care.

 

Need assistance? Contact your program specialist or the Childhood Development Homes Association.

 

How to Become a Member by Association as a

 Childhood Development Home Provider

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

2. Review the following information:

• • Welcome letter

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

  • Information about Background Checks for Child Day Programs

 

  3. ​Contact the Division of Childhood Development Homes Association 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 Childhood Development Homes Associated 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 ulaunchit@gmail.com.  If you          are unable to upload the required documents or encounter difficulties online, please contact the Division of Childhood Development Homes                  Association.​

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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 ulaunchit@gmail.com when submitting your initial application. Model forms are provided below, if available.  Application fees are not being collected by the CDHA through June 2025.

 

*Note: To ensure timely processing, the applicant must submit a complete application to the Division of Childhood Development Homes Association 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 Division of Childhood Development Homes Association 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 Association

 

To ensure timely processing, you must submit a complete renewal application to the Division of Childhood Development Homes Association at least 60 days prior to the expiration date of the current certificate of association.

 

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 2025. Zoning verification may be needed if there are requested changes in capacity or a special use permit has expired. 

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• Renewal Application for Membership by 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 ulaunchit@gmail.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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​U-LAUNCH-YOU Academy

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U-LAUNCH-YOU Academy is our proprietary professional development program where CDH providers and their staff are required to earn U-LAUNCH: YOU Child Development Credential. U-LAUNCH: YOU Childhood Development Credential is available for everyone including High Schoolers. What makes U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Credential special is that it is an early childhood competency-based credential with intentionality to align with 8VAC20-780-190; Program director qualifications, VDOE training requirements, national requirements and our credential NEVER EXPIRES.

 

U-LAUNCH: YOU Child Development Credential meets 8VAC20-780-190; Program director qualifications:

1. High school program completion or the equivalent;

2. 480 hours working with children in a group; 

3. Determination of competency in promoting children's development, providing a safe and healthy environment, managing the classroom environment or childhood program, and promoting positive and productive relationships with parents or guardians);

4. 120 clock hours of child-related trainings where the facilitator documents the student's mastery and competence, observes the student's application of competence in a classroom setting, has programmatic experience; and 180 hours in a child-related field, a child development credential or equivalent, and two years of programmatic experience with one year in a staff supervisory capacity.

 

For those applicants and staff with no prior experience or does not meet a Level one Professional Competency Requirement, they will be put on an Education Action Plan to achieve a Level 1 Child Development Credential by year one; however, it will not impact the applicant or their staff from becoming a CDH Provider as long as they possess a minimum of a High School Diploma and 21 years of age.

 

Within each content area, four competency levels are presented to establish a continuum from preliminary skills to an advanced level of academic preparation and varied experience. The four levels are cumulative.

 

Applicants at…

Level I: Implement practices according to program guidelines and policies.

 

The general requirements are two years of programmatic experience with one year in a staff supervisory capacity AND:

 

• High School Diploma or equivalent

• Resume with (2) Professional References

• 480 hrs. of Programmatic Experience

• 120 clock hours of Programmatic Training to include:

• Virginia ELDS Micro-Credential

• Virginia Preservice Training

• Annual Virginia Health & Safety Update Training

• Daily Health Observation

• CPR & First Aid Child, Pediatric, & Adult

• Child Abuse & Neglect/Mandated Reporter Training

 

Level II: Demonstrate the skills present at the previous level. In addition, they work independently and take initiative in designing environments to facilitate development.

 

The general requirements are:

• Level 1 prerequisites

• 1 Year of programmatic experience  

• Bloodborne Pathogens Training

 

Level III: Demonstrate the skills present at the previous levels. In addition, they design, assess, and modify the learning environment to meet children's changing needs. They also model excellent practices and encourage others to develop proficiency in skills.

 

The general requirements are:

• Levels 1 & 2 prerequisites

• 1 Year of supervisory experience

• Medication Administration Training (MAT)

• Food Handlers Card

 

Level IV: Demonstrate the skills present at the previous levels. In addition, they provide leadership for planning, implementing, assessing, and modifying the program to ensure continuous improvement. They conduct inquiry to advance the understanding of best practices for their communities.

 

The general requirements are:

• Levels 1-3 prerequisites

• Virginia Notary Public

• Serv Safe Manager

• CLASS Observer Certification

 

U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Providers that have been given a level of competency will be provided a Pay Deduction Form for the fee of $375.00 with an option to split the payments up over two or four pay cycles all other applicants can pay by cash or money order. Members will be given an Administrative Deduction Form for the amount of $187.50 to have their level of competency reassessed annually after the date of their initial Child Development Credential.

 

The Child Development Credential is designed to align applicants, CDH providers and their staff with national and state recognized certifications needed to operate as members of U-Launch: Childhood Development Homes; in addition, to recognizing an individual's basic framework of early childhood educational theory and application of that theory to serve as a competent and professional CDH provider.

 

The Child Development Credential is comprised of a rigorous test and professional development portfolio and a choice of an in-person or virtual Observation Visit. CDH providers and their staff that has successfully completed the minimum requirements would receive the Child Development Credential indicating their level of competency, training transcript and an official letter of completion to be displayed on the Parent Notification Area within the CDH.

 

On-going Training: Providers are required to attend at least 24 hours of professional development training each year in the (8) core areas of competency:

• Health, Safety, and Nutritional Practices;

• Understanding Child Growth and Development;

• Appropriate Child Observation and Assessment;

• Partnering with Families and Communities;

• Learning Environment;

• Effective Interactions (Teacher/Student and Student/Student);

• Program Management; and

• Teacher Qualifications and Professional Development.

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