VDOE's Office of Child Care presented final proposed revisions to licensed child day center regulations following a stakeholder process that produced over 750 public comments. Key changes include increased supervision flexibility for school-age children, a variance process for ratios, expanded staff-qualification flexibility, and reduced administrative burdens (e.g., removal of repeat TB testing). The board received the item for first review and will consider final action in August.

On Feb. 6, 2026 the Virginia House of Delegates approved a large number of bills on third reading, including an employee childcare assistance program, landlord‑tenant reforms and technology-related updates; several measures passed with recorded roll-call votes. Committees were scheduled to meet following recess.

HB 1208 would require the state to adopt a standardized, transparent calculation to estimate childcare slot needs, per‑child costs and regional gaps; the measure was reported and referred to appropriations after broad support from chambers, providers and advocates.

The committee voted to report a package of bills including an employer-based childcare assistance program, a certified school library specialist at the Department of Education, changes to a regional education consortium, permanence for a school-based violence-intervention pilot, correctional wage application to fines, a searchable campaign finance database and an autism advisory council; most measures passed with unanimous or near‑unanimous reports.

Lawmakers heard testimony supporting a tiered phase-out of child-care subsidies (HB 254) and voted to refer it for further review; a related pilot (HB 259) was tabled after reconsideration with a letter and referral to early childhood review bodies.

The House elementary and secondary education subcommittee voted 6-0 to report House Bill 18 as amended; the bill would create an employer childcare assistance program and revive a framework tied to a previously vetoed $25 million appropriation. A committee amendment leaves eligibility details to the appropriation act.

HB 254 would require the Department of Education to implement a phased reduction in childcare subsidies—capped at 10% step-downs—with appeal and hardship exceptions, aiming to prevent families from losing assistance after small wage gains.

Sen. Locke’s SB 20 (phased reduction of childcare subsidy) and SB 134 (childcare access calculation substitute) were recommended by the subcommittee after broad support from providers, nonprofits and business groups; supporters said the measures increase transparency, stabilize funding and help families avoid the benefits cliff.

The Planning Commission voted 6-0 to recommend approval of UDOTA FY26-02, which revises UDO provisions for childcare centers, family day homes and adult day care. Key changes: family day homes permitted by right up to 12 children in single-family districts, 21-day notice for neighbors when operating 6–12 children, and by-right allowances for some,

Virginia proposes budget changes to increase preschool slots and address child care attendance issues.