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JOIN TODAY HERE'S "WHY"
No. 1
Families Trust You
U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Home is a licensed family day system. Our brand stands for trust in the early childhood community. Our Childhood Development Homes align with VDOE licensed family day home standards and U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes Association's Standard Operating Procedures. Our Certificate of Approval is a required posting in all childhood development homes. Childhood Development Homes that are branded with our Certificate of Approval shows trust and inherits the added advantage of trusted goodwill with families.
Division of Childhood Development
Homes Association
🏡 Childhood Development Homes Association (CDHA)
The Childhood Development Homes Association (CDHA) requires a Certificate of Association for any individual or entity providing early childhood development, education, and care as an approved Member Associate of the Association. This certification ensures that all member homes meet the high standards set forth by U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes and the Virginia Department of Education.
Our Role and Responsibilities
The Division of Childhood Development Homes Association (CDHA)—commonly known as the CDHA—plays a vital role in ensuring quality and accountability within our network. Through formal oversight, the CDHA:
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Refers children to approved member homes holding a valid Certificate of Association.
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Provides ongoing training, technical assistance, consultation, inspection, supervision, and monitoring for all Childhood Development Home Providers.
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Connects families to available health and social service agencies for early intervention and supportive resources.
Compliance and Monitoring
In accordance with Virginia Family Day System regulations, the CDHA conducts quarterly visits to each member home, with at least two visits being unannounced, to ensure compliance with U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes’ Standard Operating Policies and Procedures.
Both U-LAUNCH Program Specialists and the Virginia Department of Education reserve the right to make unannounced visits to any member home at any time to maintain the highest levels of safety and quality.
Provider Requirements
Each approved Childhood Development Home within our Association may provide early childhood development, education, and care for up to nine (9) children.
All providers are subject to the same regulatory requirements as licensed family day home providers, including:
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Criminal background checks
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Child abuse and neglect central registry checks
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Tuberculosis (TB) screenings
These safeguards ensure that every child enrolled in a U-LAUNCH-associated home receives care in a safe, nurturing, and compliant environment.
Regional Impact
U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes proudly serves as the only Licensed Family Day System located in the Hampton Roads region of Virginia—a distinction that reflects our deep commitment to quality, community partnerships, and equitable access to early childhood education.
Program Goals and Objectives
U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes —
Childhood Development Homes Association (CDHA)
The U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes Division of Childhood Development Homes Association is dedicated to maintaining licensure as a Family Day System under the Virginia Department of Education. Our goals and objectives guide our daily operations and reflect our commitment to quality, compliance, and community service.
Our Goals
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To maintain full licensure as a Family Day System in accordance with Virginia state standards.
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To partner with passionate individuals seeking to launch their dreams of operating a home-based childcare business as approved Members of the U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes Association.
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To ensure that all activities and services provided through U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes promote the well-being, safety, and developmental growth of children from birth through age twelve.
Our Objectives
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To refer families with children to our network of approved Childhood Development Homes that meet high standards of care and professionalism.
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To, through formal contractual agreements, provide central administrative functions including training, data management, billing, and tuition collection on behalf of our Member Homes.
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To provide ongoing technical assistance, consultation, and professional development to applicants, candidates, and active Childhood Development Home Associates.
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To conduct regular inspections, supervision, monitoring, and evaluations of all approved homes to ensure continuous quality improvement and regulatory compliance.
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To connect children and families to local health and social service agencies for early intervention and supportive services that foster holistic child development.
Together, these goals and objectives ensure that U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes Association remains a trusted, high-quality system—dedicated to empowering educators, uplifting families, and creating safe, developmentally rich environments for every child in our care.
About Childhood Development Homes
Childhood Development Homes are the most common form of childcare in the United States—especially for infants and toddlers. Families often choose this model for its intimate, home-like environment, flexible hours, consistent caregivers, and small group settings that promote personalized attention and family-style learning.
Our Standards and Oversight
The Childhood Development Homes Association (CDHA) requires all providers caring for one to nine children (exclusive of the provider’s own children and any who reside in the home) to obtain a valid Certificate of Association.
Care may be offered in the provider’s home or in the home of one of the children enrolled, provided that all state and local requirements are met.
A Childhood Development Home caring for more than four children under the age of two—including the provider’s own children—must receive local zoning approval prior to operation. Homes where all children in care are related to the provider by blood or marriage are not required to be associated.
Provider Responsibility
During a parent or guardian’s absence (less than 24 hours), the approved Childhood Development Home Provider assumes full responsibility for the supervision, protection, and well-being of each child under 13 years of age.
All providers operate in accordance with the Standard Operating Procedures of U-LAUNCH: Childhood Development Homes, which align with the Virginia Board of Education’s Family Day System regulations and are enforced by the Division of Childhood Development Homes Association.
These standards ensure that every activity, service, and facility within our system is safe, nurturing, and conducive to each child’s healthy development.
Need Assistance?
For questions about licensing, certification, or support, please contact your Program Specialist or reach out to the Childhood Development Homes Association directly.
📧 cdha@ulaunchit.com
How to Become a Member by Association as a
Childhood Development Home Provider
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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.
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Review the following information:
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Standards for Licensed Family Day Homes | Normas Para Centros De Cuidado Infantil Familiar Diurno Con Licencia
3. Contact the 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.
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 Childhood Development Homes Association.
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 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 Childhood Development Homes Association in your region.
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Documentation of completed Phase II Pre-Association Orientation
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Verification of age for the applicant, assistant(s) and substitute provider(s)
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Documentation of the provider’s education
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Documentation of the provider’s programmatic experience
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Proof of current first aid and cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification
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Tuberculosis (TB) Test/Screening results for all caregivers and adult household members (completed within the last 30 days)
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Background checks for all caregivers, household members, individuals listed in the business entity section of the application (completed within the last 90 days)
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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
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A credit reference for the business entity – This is not required for public agencies
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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
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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 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 2026. Zoning verification may be needed if there are requested changes in capacity or a special use permit has expired.
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Contact with Local Zoning Administrator, if needed
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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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Authorization to Apply a Non-Prescription Topical Skin Product (PDF)
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Caregiver Reference (PDF)
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Information for Parents (PDF)
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Injury Record (PDF)
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Medication Administration Log for Child Day Programs - Individual Child (PDF)
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Medication Administration Log for Child Day Programs - Multiple Children (PDF)
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Medication Authorization (PDF)
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Permission to Participate in Swimming or Wading Activities (PDF)
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Provisions of the Emergency Preparedness and Response Plan (Word)
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Staffing Recommendations for a Child with Special Needs (PDF)
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Weekly Menu (PDF)
Your Voice Matters!
To File A Complaint
We’re here to help. Submit the form and a Program Specialist will connect with you within 24 hours. Prefer to stay anonymous? You may share your message only in the “Message” box.