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DATE:
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February 14, 2025
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TO:
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Religiously Exempt Child Day Centers
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FROM:
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Jeffrey S. Williams, Assistant Superintendent
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SUBJECT:
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Revised Statement of Intent
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This memo is to notify religiously exempt child day centers that the Statement of Intent form has been revised. The Office of Child Care Health and Safety (OCCHS) has included information related to requirements in §§ 22.1-289.057 and 22.1-289.058 of the Code of Virginia for programs that serve preschool-age children. The form has also been converted to a fillable PDF form which allows for ease and efficiency of use.
The revised form can be found online on the Department’s Child Care VA website. Simply locate the Religiously Exempt Child Day Centers webpage in the providers section and select the appropriate link. If you have recently submitted a Statement of Intent or are in the process of completing a previous version of the form, the OCCHS will continue to accept a previous version for 30 days. However, all programs are encouraged to begin using the revised form immediately.
Programs are reminded that § 22.1-289.031 of the Code allows a child day center operated or conducted under the auspices of a religious institution to be exempt from the licensure requirements of this chapter, if it complies with the provisions of that Code section. If such religious institution chooses not to be licensed, it shall file with the superintendent, prior to beginning operation of a child day center and thereafter annually, a statement of intent to operate a child day center, certification that the child day center has disclosed in writing to the parents or guardians of the children in the center the fact that it is exempt from licensure and has posted the fact that it is exempt from licensure in a visible location on the premises, the qualifications of the personnel employed therein, and other documentary evidence required by the Code section. The OCCHS requests that the initial filing be submitted at least 60 days prior to the intended date of operation and at least 30 days prior the expiration of the current exemption.
Initial and annual filings of a religious exemption should be submitted through the online provider portal. Utilizing the portal will help avoid mailing delays and ensure that your documents are submitted securely to the OCCHS. A quick reference guide on using the portal is available on the Department’s Child Care VA website.
If you have any questions, please contact your licensing inspector.
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