How to Apply for a Fairfax County Home Child Care Permit
Thank you for your interest in becoming a family child care provider! Fairfax County requires providers to have a family child care permit. This permit allows you to care for up to five children in your home (in addition to the children who live with you).
How much does it cost to get a permit?
The home child care facility application fee is $14.
Each criminal history record request is $15 and is required for each person 18 years or older living in your home.
The fees can be paid in one personal check, money order or certified check payable to the Office for Children.
Do I need to have a Fairfax County home child care permit or Virginia state family day home license to provide child care?
Yes. To be a family child care provider, you are legally required by law to have a Fairfax County child care permit or a Virginia state family day home license.
Providing care without a Fairfax County home child care permit or a Virginia state family day home license can result in a $500 fine and a misdemeanor charge. If you are aware of illegal care in your community, please call 703-324-8100.
Necessary Forms for Your Application
There are three (3) forms necessary to complete an application and be issued a Fairfax County Home Child Care Permit.
Form 1 of 3
You must complete a Home Child Care Facility Permit Application. Requires a fee.
Download the application now (PDF) so you can follow the information below.
Section A: Applicant Information
Complete and sign the Home Child Care Facility Application.
You must pay the $14 application fee. The application fee is not refundable and must be sent it with the application.
Section B: Household Children Information
List all children 13 years old or younger living in the home.
Complete all information. Use full names, including middle names. Do not use abbreviations, except for N/A if not applicable, UNK if unknown, or NMN if no middle name.
Section C: Request for Search of the Central Registry and Release of Information. No Fee.
List all adults and children 14 years old or older living in the home, including the applicant, or any other adults who may regularly come in contact with the children.
Complete a Child Protective Services Request and Release of Information Form for each person listed in Section C. (See form #2)
Complete all information. Use full names, including middle names. Do not use abbreviations, except for N/A if not applicable, UNK if unknown, or NMN if no middle name.
IMPORTANT Section D: Criminal History Record Request. Requires a fee.
Virginia state law requires a criminal background check for each adult 18 years old or older living in the home, or any adult who may regularly come into contact with the children.
A $15 processing fee is required for each person needing a criminal history record request. The processing fee is non-refundable.
You must resubmit a criminal background check for each adult every 5 years.
The criminal history record results for each person must be free of any barrier crimes.
Section E: Applicant’s Signature
Review your home child care facility application form. Make sure all information is entered.
Sign and date your home child care facility application form.
Form 2 of 3
You must complete a child protective services request and release of information form. Review the information from section C above. No fee required.
Download the application now (PDF) so you can clearly follow the information below. Important: copy or print this as a two-sided form before completing your information. Only two-sided forms are accepted for processing.
A separate form must be completed for each person listed in Section C of the application. That includes all adults and children 14 years old or older living in the home, including the applicant, or any other adults who may regularly come in contact with the children.
Complete all information. Use full names, including middle name. Do not use abbreviations, except for N/A if not applicable, UNK if unknown, or NMN if no middle name.
The back of this form must be notarized and signed in the presence of a notary.
Forms for children 14-17 years old must be signed by the child and
the parent in the presence of a notary and must be notarized.
Only the original form can be processed. Do not fax this form.
STOP
Review your home child care facility application form and make sure the names of each of these individuals is listed in section C of the home child care application.
Form 3 of 3
You must complete a Sworn Statement or Affirmation form. No fee required.
Download the application now (PDF) so you can clearly follow the information below.
Virginia State Law requires a Sworn Statement or Affirmation form for each adult 18 years or older living in the home or any adult who may regularly come into contact with the children.
A separate form must be completed for each adult and include their signature.
Final Step
Include your payment for all applicable fees. The processing fees can be combined and paid in one check, money order or certified check. Payment should be made payable to the Office for Children (OFC).
Mail your completed forms and payment to:
Fairfax County Office for Children
Division of Community Education and Provider Services
12011 Government Center Parkway, Suite 800
Fairfax, VA 22035-1102
What Else Is Required?
Before you can receive your permit, you need to be certified in First Aid and Pediatric CPR. These are a few of the organizations in our community that offer First Aid and CRP training and certification. Please note: online CPR and First aid training will not be accepted as certification.
When you have your home health and safety visit, you must show proof from a doctor that you do not have tuberculosis.
Receive Personal Assistance Completing Your Application
You can meet with a staff member for personal assistance in completing your application and forms. A staff person is available Monday – Friday from 8 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. in suite 800 of the Pennino building, located at 12011 Government Center Parkway, Fairfax, 22035. For evening hours, you can go to one of these neighborhood sessions:
June 12, 2008 South County
Government Center, Room 221
8350
Richmond Highway
Alexandria,
VA 22309
6:30
– 8:30 p.m.
July 16, 2008 Pennino
Building, Room 734
12011
Government Center Parkway
Fairfax,
22035
6:30
– 8:30 p.m.
August 11, 2008 South County Government Center,
Room 221
8350
Richmond Highway
Alexandria,
VA 22309
6:30
– 8:30 p.m.
Additional Useful Information
Frequently asked questions about family child care.
Understanding family child care regulations in Fairfax County
Emergency preparedness checklist
Code of Fairfax County, Chapter 30
Next Steps
Home Health and Safety Visit
After your permit application has been processed, a child care specialist from the Office for Children will contact you to schedule a home health and safety visit. At the visit the child care specialist will:
- Discuss health, safety and training requirements
- Give you information about Office for Children programs
- Review your emergency preparedness plan
- Review child immunization and pet rabies immunization records
- Review proof from a doctor that you are free from tuberculosis.
Fire Safety Visit
An inspector from the Fire and Rescue Department will contact you to
schedule a fire safety visit. The inspector will review home fire hazards
with you and will require the following items:
- Working smoke detectors on each level of the home
- A working fire extinguisher in or near the kitchen
- A fire drill plan and escape route
- A clear passage to the circuit breaker box and around the furnace area
- Power strips with built-in surge/circuit protector. Extension cords and multi-plug adapters are not acceptable in the home.