What is considered the safest type of childcare program?
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Despite offering similar services, childcare facilities in the Virginia do not follow the same health and safety requirements, making research important when choosing quality care.
Every household has different needs and expectations for childcare. In Virginia there are several types of childcare programs offered to meet those needs. Parents and guardians often search online and use social media platforms like Facebook when they are on the daycare hunt, but just because a provider cares for children doesn't mean they are required to all meet the same safety, background and training requirements.
“You can have a great looking program, but if it's not safe, then it's not quality,” said Jeff Williams, Assistant Superintendent for Child Care Health and Safety. Williams believes health and safety is at the foundation of child care. He works with the Virginia Department of Education to ensure childcare providers across the Commonwealth meet that expectation. However, the bar for the type of care a center provides can vary depending on its license status.
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Childcare centers fall into three main categories: licensed programs, unlicensed but regulated programs and unlicensed and unregulated programs. Each program type can vary in the oversight it receives from the state which can make some considered safer than others.
“We really believe that licensed care provides the most safety nets for parents,” said Williams.
State licensed programs
Licensed programs are considered the highest level of protection by the state. Both a child day center and home based care can be considered licensed and is subject to several health and safety requirements
- Two unannounced inspections per year
- Background checks
- Education
- Training/orientation
- Health and safety standards
Unlicensed but regulated programs
Not every childcare program like some day homes, certified preschools and religiously exempt facilities are required to follow the same health and safety standards as licensed centers.
- Voluntarily registered day homes are inspected before being certified
- Religiously exempt centers are required to have background checks but do not have mandatory inspections
- Certified preschools are required to have background checks submit health and background information
Subsidy providers that are not licensed are the only regulated programs that are subject to an annual inspection.
Unlicensed and unregulated programs
Unlicensed and unregistered programs like after school programs and family day homes have little to no oversight and safeguards in place and follow minimal requirements.
- No background checks
- No training/orientation
- No health and safety requirements
Despite little to no oversight, Williams said “there's some fantastic programs that don't need to be licensed, that are accredited. So it's not to say that those programs are bad. It's just there's more oversight for licensed programs."
Williams said the often takes a response approach to inspect unlicensed facilities. That action is often taken after a complaint is filed. The agency encourages those who believe a facility or individual is providing inadequate care to file a complaint.
“Everybody wants what's best for their children. And, we just encourage parents to do the research. And we see it's our job to provide them the tools they need to do that," Williams said.
A child care checklist for daycare seekers is available on the Department of Educations' website.
