Voluntary Registration is a form of regulation offered to family day homes that are not required to be licensed. These homes have fewer than 6 children in care not including provider's own children and any children who reside in the home.

• Voluntarily registered providers show their pride and achievement in their profession.
• Voluntarily Registered providers can apply for the Child and Adult Care Food Program to receive reimbursements for the nutritious meals they serve
• Voluntarily registered providers can receive training, resources and technical assistance through the contracting agency
• Voluntarily registered providers expand their business by inclusion in the state wide childcare resource and referral network

The Planning Council, contracted by Virginia Department of Social Services, administers the Voluntary Registration Program in the following localities:

Cities served: Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, Hampton, Newport News, Emporia, Courtland, Franklin, Suffolk, Fredericksburg and Williamsburg

Counties served: Isle of Wight, Southampton, Sussex, Surry, York, James, Mathews, Lancaster, Middlesex, Northumberland, King George, Eastern Shore- Northampton, Accomack, Spotsylvania, Brunswick, Caroline, Essex, Gloucester, Greensville, Richmond, Fredericksburg and Williamsburg

A family day home provider who wishes to be registered pays The Planning Council a $50 fee to apply for a two year registration certificate. An applicant for a certificate of registration must have criminal history background checks, child abuse registry clearances, and tuberculosis screenings for herself and all adult members of the household. An applicant must also complete a health and safety checklist assessing the home and personal qualifications.

The Planning Council visits the family day home to confirm that basic safeguards are in place to protect children in care. Upon recommendation by The Planning Council, the Commissioner issues the two-year certificate of registration. During the period of registration, a small sample of registered homes is monitored by The Planning Council and state licensing staff for compliance with staffing requirements and the health and safety checklist.

For more information, or to request an application packet, please contact:

Lytisha Spencer, Voluntary Registration Program Administrator
Phone: 757-627-3993x3051 lspencer@theplanningcouncil.org

You may also download the application forms here.