Notice of Public Comment Period for Proposed Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers, 8VAC20-781

The Proposed Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers regulation (8VAC20-781) will be published in the Virginia Register of Regulations (Volume 42, Issue 8) on December 1, starting a 60-day public comment period that continues through January 30, 2026.

The Proposed Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers regulation (8VAC20-781) repeals the current Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers (8VAC20-780), and establishes a comprehensive new chapter. This new chapter:

• Adjusts the structure, format, and language of the current regulation;
• Removes duplicative requirements found in the Code of Virginia;
• Incorporates updates to address everchanging national health and safety guidelines and practices; and
• Incorporates updates to the regulation while preserving protection of the health, safety, and welfare of children in care in licensed child day centers regulated by the Department.

In addition, pursuant to Governor Youngkin’s Executive Order 19, a review of the regulations was conducted pursuant to regulatory reduction goals. 

Comments on the proposed regulation may be submitted via Regulatory Town Hall.

• To view and enter comments, please view the Regulatory Activity Forums on the Virginia Regulatory Town Hall and select Chapter 8VAC20-781 under the State Board of Education.
• Comments may also be submitted by email to Tatanishia Armstrong, Legislative Consultant, Virginia Department of Education, PO Box 2120, Richmond, Virginia 23218, 804-382-5047, tatanishia.armstrong@doe.virginia.gov.
• To be considered, comments must be received by 11:59 pm on the last day of the public comment period.

This regulatory action does not require providers to implement any of the requirements at this time.

• Virginia’s regulatory process typically has three steps: (1) the Notice of Intended Regulatory Action (NOIRA); (2) the proposed regulation; and (3) the final regulation.
• The NOIRA for the new Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers was approved on December 6, 2024, and the proposed regulation was approved on October 28, 2025.
• At the conclusion of the public comment period, the Department will review comments, conduct a review of the regulation and make any necessary amendments in preparation for the final regulation which must also be approved by the Board of Education before the Executive review begins.
• The Department will continue to send notification(s) to impacted child day centers with each regulatory update.

• Notice of Public Comment- Standards for Licensed Child Day Centers 8VAC20-781(PDF)