Most children go to family child-care. West Virginia is one of only three states in the country that does not regulate family child-care provided for six or fewer children. In 1995, there were 288 state-licensed day care centers in West Virginia with 13,943 available slots for children, but only 1,624 slots for children under age two. Three counties had no licensed day care centers at all, and eighteen had no licensed centers providing care for children under age two. The Governor's Cabinet on Children and Families continues action in the way of quality child-care.
Funds are now available to both early education facilities and care services for accreditation.
Family child- care facilities can apply for funds for accreditation from the National Association for Family Child Care. These funds and departments will help to strengthen family child-care facilities in West Virginia, and assure parents that their children will be given excellent care during the work day. Changes in child-care are also occurring on a national level. In January of 1998, President Clinton put into action a new Child-care Initiative. This Initiative will improve the cost, quality, and safety of day care centers all over the country.