Town Considers Changing Limits for In-Home Daycares

At its first series of meetings in May, the Herndon Town Council plans to consider an amendment to the Town’s zoning ordinance that would change the maximum number of children an in-home daycare provider can care for, based on the type of dwelling.

Taking a closer look at in-home childcare businesses is something the Commonwealth has been doing over the past year, to the dismay of childcare providers across the county who fear changes to limits could interfere with their income potential.

However, Herndon's move appears to work more in the business' favors.

Currently, in-home childcare businesses are allowed to care for up to five children at any one time.

Under the proposed amendment, daycares in single-family homes will be allowed up to nine per day, and daycares in townhouses will be allowed up to six per day.

In multi-family dwellings, the amendment would change the maximum from five children at any one time, to five per day.

Currently, in-home childcare providers may only provide care for more than five children at any one time by receiving a special exception from the Town Council. 

The proposed amendment would also change the number of permissible non-resident employees of in-home childcare businesses from one to two, and change the number of permissible business-related vehicle arrivals to up to 24 during any 24-hour period.

Herndon's Planning Commission recently considered the amendment and, due to an evenly split vote, forwarded it to the Town Council without a recommendation.

Town staff will present the proposed amendment to the Town Council at its work session this week, on Tuesday, May 7.  Members of the public are not permitted to speak at work sessions.

The Town Council plans to hold a public hearing on the proposed amendment on Tuesday, May 14; members of the public are encouraged to address the council with their viewpoints on the amendment at this hearing. 

Both meetings begin at 7 p.m. and are held in the Council Chambers building at 765 Lynn Street, Herndon.

Meetings can also be viewed online through live streaming video at www.herndon-va.gov.

Public comment to the Mayor and Town Council may also be submitted via e-mail at town.clerk@herndon-va.gov.

TELL US - What do you think of the proposed amendment? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.

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