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TO: All Licensed Child Day Programs and Unlicensed Child Day Programs
Receiving Child Care Subsidy Assistance
FROM: Jeffrey Williams, Director of Child Care Licensing
SUBJECT: Anticipated Expiration of Regulatory Leniency
This memo is intended to notify providers of the end of the Governor’s state of emergency and to describe how the Virginia Department of Education (VDOE) Office of Child Care Licensing will support providers.
In the spring of 2020, the Virginia Department of Social Services (VDSS) implemented State of Emergency Suspension of DSS Licensing Regulation Requirements in response to Executive Orders issued by the Governor during the COVID-19 public health emergency. Leniency was granted for some regulatory requirements, as described in an April 15, 2020 memo from VDSS (memo also included as an attachment). This leniency is directly tied to the Governor’s state of emergency.
Last week, Governor Northam announced that Virginia’s state of emergency would expire on June 30, 2021. As a result, the regulatory leniency for child care programs will also expire. This memo details how the VDOE Office of Child Care Licensing will support providers to comply with requirements over time.
Licensing fees
VDOE will not be collecting licensing fees for the remainder of the 2021 calendar year. Providers will be notified in advance when licensing fees will be assessed in 2022.
Other regulatory leniency
Much of the leniency offered to providers did not waive requirements entirely. Instead, providers were granted additional time to comply with certain standards. The leniency granted varied by program type.
As VDOE assumes oversight of child care licensing and monitoring on July 1, 2021, the Office of Child Care Licensing looks forward to partnering with you and supporting your efforts to provide safe, quality early care and education. To that end, please contact your licensing inspector if you need additional leniency, support, or assistance to come into compliance with licensing standards.
Return to in-person inspections
We are also making plans to return to in-person inspections in the fall, likely early September. We will share information regarding what to expect for in-person inspections at a later date via a memo and statewide information session.
We know this has been a uniquely difficult year for many. We thank you for your commitment to children and families in the Commonwealth. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to your licensing inspector or the licensing team at childcarelicensing@doe.virginia.gov if you have questions or need assistance.
In gratitude,
Jeffrey “Jeff” S. Williams
Director of Child Care Licensing
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