Wednesday: Speak Out on Fairfax County Home Day Care Limits

Home daycare providers and parents will have the opportunity Wednesday to speak to the Fairfax County Planning Commission about a proposed permit that would allow providers to care for more children.

But it remains to be seen if even an expanded limit will be enough to accomodate some of the area's daycares.

The Commonwealth of Virginia allows for up to 12 children in a licensed day-care, but Fairfax County ordinances allow for only seven. Providers in Fairfax can apply for a special permit that allows for a maximum of 10.

Herndon's Town Council passed an initiating resolution in late February to consider increasing the number allowed from five to nine without having to obtain a special exception permit. [See correction below.]

Herndon and Fairfax County's laws limiting the number of children were rarely enforced, so many providers took in a dozen kids, as allowed by their state licenses. 

But new state regulations that require formal documentation from zoning officials will have many providers applying for special permits, so the Board is proposing raising the permit limit to 12 children.

Many providers spoke out against the ordinance during a town hall hosted by Supervisor Pat Herrity (R-Springfield) in July 2012. Since then, Supervisors have been working towards compromises.

But Herrity has said he’s not sure the modest permit adjustment will solve providers’ problems.

“I personally think we need to raise the by-right number,” said Herrity, who made a failed a motion to increase the by-right from seven to 10. “I think we’re going to end up chasing childcare providers out of the license process.”

The hearing before the Planning Commission is scheduled for Wednesday, March 20 at 8:15 p.m. in the board auditorium at Fairfax County Government Center.

Speakers who wish to sign up should click here.

Click here for more information on the zoning ordinance.

Correction: The Town of Herndon has not passed its resolution, but is initiating a resolution to consider increasing the number of children allowed at home based childcare providers in the town limits.