West Virginia

Agency: West Virginia Department of Human Services (DoHS) – Child Care Licensing

Website: https://dhhr.wv.gov

Description: The West Virginia Department of Human Services licenses and regulates child care centers, family child care homes, and school-age programs throughout the state. The department provides licensing regulations, inspections, provider resources, forms, and compliance guidance.

Program: West Virginia STARS

Website: https://www.wvdhhr.org/bfa/ccece

Description: West Virginia STARS is the state's Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS), supporting continuous quality improvement through coaching, technical assistance, professional development, and quality recognition.

Registry: West Virginia STARS Career Pathway & Registry

Website: https://www.wvstars.org

Description: West Virginia's professional development registry allows early childhood professionals to document education, credentials, training, and career advancement while accessing approved professional development opportunities.

Organization: River Valley Child Development Services (West Virginia CCR&R)

Website: https://www.wvdhhr.org/bfa/ccece

Description: West Virginia's Child Care Resource & Referral system provides referrals, coaching, technical assistance, professional development, and business support for child care providers and families.

Organization: West Virginia Association for the Education of Young Children (WVAEYC)

Website: https://www.wvaeyc.org

Description: Supports early childhood professionals through advocacy, conferences, networking, leadership development, and professional learning opportunities.

Organization: West Virginia Department of Education – Office of Child Nutrition

Website: https://wvde.us

Description: Administers West Virginia's Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), providing reimbursement, nutrition guidance, training, and technical assistance.

Agency: West Virginia Department of Human Services

Website: https://dhhr.wv.gov

Description: Child care providers and employees must complete fingerprint-based criminal background checks and required child abuse and neglect clearances before working in licensed child care settings.

Program: Universal Pre-K West Virginia

Website: https://wvde.us

Description: West Virginia's Universal Pre-K program provides high-quality, state-funded preschool opportunities for eligible four-year-old children through public schools and community-based providers.

Program: West Virginia Birth to Three

Website: https://www.wvdhhr.org/birth23

Description: Birth to Three provides coordinated early intervention services for infants and toddlers with developmental delays or disabilities while supporting families.

Organization: West Virginia STARS

Website: https://www.wvstars.org

Description: Provides workforce initiatives, scholarships, quality improvement supports, grants, and professional development opportunities for West Virginia's early childhood professionals.

Training requirements include pediatric CPR and First Aid, health and safety, child abuse and neglect reporting, safe sleep practices, emergency preparedness, and ongoing professional development. Training records are maintained through the West Virginia STARS Registry.

Website: https://dhhr.wv.gov

Description: Access licensing applications, provider forms, inspection reports, regulations, background check information, and additional child care resources.