For years, childcare providers have been giving the state feedback that the way Virginia licenses childcares makes it extremely difficult to sell. Private Equity firms and large chains have legal and regulatory teams to make this easy for them, but navigating the process is almost impossible for a small center. I speak from experience. As Baby Boomers retire, they will have a hard time selling their small centers to other teachers, parents, etc. They will have to close without selling or sell off to a big corporate entity.

A licensed center with a good regulatory history should be able to transfer leadership to a new qualified owner. As staff, the new owner would be subject to all of the background checks and training requirements.  If the new owners make any changes to procedures, staff, etc., that will already be reviewed within 6 months due to the regular inspection cycle (or immediately, if there are complaints reported). 

We also need a regulatory pathway to easily approve a temporary relocation of operations in the event of major facility problems. Hurricanes hit NJ and North Carolina and caused huge numbers of childcare centers to go bankrupt because they couldn't get approval to open in a temporary facility while undergoing repairs. Tornadoes, hurricanes, floods and wildfires hit Virginia too.

Another issue: why does a center with a good compliance history have to reapply for a new license every 2 years? It makes no sense. We are already inspected by VDOE every 6 months and any time there is a complaint. Fire and Health inspectors come annually. Licenses should be granted permanently and only revoked for compliance issues.