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The Child Care Permit
Fairfax County residents who care for up to five children in their homes are required by law to have a current family child care permit from the Fairfax County Office for Children. (Residents who care for more than 5 children must be licensed by the state.)
We can help your child care provider become permitted. He or she can start by attending one of our free workshops, "Preparing for Your Family Child Care Permit." For the date and location of our next workshop, child care providers can call 703-324-8100, or visit our Web site at: www.fairfaxcounty.gov/ofc.
Permitted Child Care Providers Must Have:
- A current CPR and first aid certificate.
- Emergency preparedness plans, supplies and equipment.
- Thorough background checks of everyone in the home age 14 or older.
- Immunization records of all children in the home.
- A negative tuberculosis test for all adult household residents.
- Rabies records for pets.
- A safety inspection from the Fire Marshal.
- A visit from a child care specialist covering health, safety, nutrition and child development.
- Required professional development.
- Child care sick policy.
Helping Your Child Care Provider
A supportive relationship between you and your child care provider is essential. Here’s how you can help:
- Make sure your child care provider has a current child care permit or license.
- Let your child care provider know immediately if your emergency contact information changes.
- Make sure you and your child care provider have a written agreement which covers policies about illness, vacations, fees, hours of operation, and late pick-up/early drop-off.
- Visit your child in care, and participate in your child’s activities when possible.
- Ask your child care provider to participate in the USDA Food Program. This will help ensure that your child receives healthy meals and snacks from your child care provider.
- Let the child care provider know how much you value his or her work.
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