SECTION 63.2-1715. (Effective until July 1, 2019) Exemptions from licensure  

A. The following child day programs shall not be required to be licensed:

1. A child day center that has obtained an exemption pursuant to § 63.2-1716 .

2. A program where, by written policy given to and signed by a parent or guardian, school-aged children are free to enter and leave the premises without permission or supervision, regardless of (i) such program's location or the number of days per week of its operation; (ii) the provision of transportation services, including drop-off and pick-up times; or (iii) the scheduling of breaks for snacks, homework, or other activities. A program that would qualify for this exemption except that it assumes responsibility for the supervision, protection and well-being of several children with disabilities who are mainstreamed shall not be subject to licensure.

3. A program of instructional experience in a single focus, such as, but not limited to, computer science, archaeology, sport clinics, or music, if children under the age of six do not attend at all and if no child is allowed to attend for more than 25 days in any three-month period commencing with enrollment. This exemption does not apply if children merely change their enrollment to a different focus area at a site offering a variety of activities and such children's attendance exceeds 25 days in a three-month period.

4. Programs of instructional or recreational activities wherein no child under age six attends for more than six hours weekly with no class or activity period to exceed one and one-half hours, and no child six years of age or above attends for more than six hours weekly when school is in session or 12 hours weekly when school is not in session. Competition, performances and exhibitions related to the instructional or recreational activity shall be excluded when determining the hours of program operation.

5. A program that operates no more than a total of 20 program days in the course of a calendar year provided that programs serving children under age six operate no more than two consecutive weeks without a break of at least a week.

6. Instructional programs offered by private schools that satisfy compulsory attendance laws or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as amended, and programs of school-sponsored extracurricular activities that are focused on single interests such as, but not limited to, music, sports, drama, civic service, or foreign language.

7. Instructional programs offered by public schools that serve preschool-age children or that satisfy compulsory attendance laws or the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as amended, and programs of school-sponsored extracurricular activities that are focused on single interests such as, but not limited to, music, sports, drama, civic service, or foreign language.

8. Early intervention programs for children eligible under Part C of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, as amended, wherein no child attends for more than a total of six hours per week.

9. Practice or competition in organized competitive sports leagues.

10. Programs of religious instruction, such as Sunday schools, vacation Bible schools, and Bar Mitzvah or Bat Mitzvah classes, and child-minding services provided to allow parents or guardians who are on site to attend religious worship or instructional services.

11. Child-minding services that are not available for more than three hours per day for any individual child offered on site in commercial or recreational establishments if the parent or guardian (i) is not an on-duty employee, except for part-time employees working less than two hours per day, (ii) can be contacted and can resume responsibility for the child's supervision within 30 minutes, and (iii) is receiving or providing services or participating in activities offered by the establishment.

12. A certified preschool or nursery school program operated by a private school that is accredited by an accrediting organization recognized by the State Board of Education pursuant to § 63.2-1716 and complies with the provisions of § 63.2-1716 .

13. A program of recreational activities offered by local governments, staffed by local government employees, and attended by school-age children. Such programs shall be subject to safety and supervisory standards established by local governments.

14. A program of instructional or athletic experience operated during the summer months by, and as an extension of, an accredited private elementary, middle, or high school program as set forth in § 63.2-1716 and administered by the Virginia Council for Private Education.

15. A child day program offered by a local school division, staffed by local school division employees, and attended by children who are at least four years of age and are enrolled in public school or a preschool program within such school division. Such programs shall be subject to safety and supervisory standards established by the local school board.

B. Family day homes that are members of a licensed family day system shall not be required to obtain a license from the Commissioner.

C. Officers, employees, or agents of the Commonwealth, or of any county, city, or town acting within the scope of their authority as such, who serve as or maintain a child-placing agency shall not be required to be licensed.

1993, cc. 730, 742, § 63.1-196.001; 1994, cc. 63.2-1716 , 63.2-1716 ; 1999, c. 63.2-1716 ; 2000, cc. 63.2-1716 , 63.2-1716 ; 2002, c. 63.2-1716 ; 2003, c. 63.2-1716 ; 2006, c. 63.2-1716 ; 2011, c. 63.2-1716 ; 2014, c. 63.2-1716 ; 2016, c. 63.2-1716 ; 2017, c. 63.2-1716 ; 2018, cc. 63.2-1716 , 63.2-1716 .