The registration of daycares and pre-schools is done collaboratively between the Early Childhood Development Unit of the Ministry of Education and Culture and the Environmental Health Division.  These institutions are monitored through periodic inspection by an Environmental Health Officer.  A report of findings with health concerns is shared with the Ministry of Education and Culture following inspection of an institution.  

Process

New Establishments

Step 1:  The Environmental Health Division can be either notified by the Early Childhood Development Unit or the Proprietor of the proposed operation of the new facility about conducting an inspection at the facility.  

Step 2:  After the facility is inspected, the findings are shared with both the Proprietor and the Early Childhood Development Unit.  

Step 3:  If the facilty is found to meet acceptable standards, a recommendation is made by the Environmental Health Division to the Early Childhood Development Unit for the issuance of a permit and the Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs for the issuance of a trade licence.   If the facility has not met the acceptable standards, the Division makes recommendations for improvement to the Proprietor which is also shared with the Early Childhood Development Unit and the Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs.  A re-inspection is done by the Division to verify that the recommendations for compliance have been implemented.  Once compliance is achieved, the institution is referred for issuance of a permit and a trade licence.

Existing Establishments

Step 1:  An existing daycare/pre-school is visited and inspected periodically by an Environmental Health Officer.

Step 2:  The results and recommendations made after inspection are shared with the Early Childhood Development Unit.

Step 3:  If an existing daycare/pre-school is found to be non-compliant, legal action is taken where applicable and feasible.

Supporting Documents

New Institutions

  • Architectual Drawings showing efficient lay out/design of facility
  • Written request from Early Childhood Development Unit seeking assistance with inspection of the facility
  • A trade licence or a request for recommendations from the Department of Trade and Consumer Affairs

Existing Institutions

  • Trade Licence

Method of Applying

Call, write, email or visit the Division

Turn Around Time

Two to four weeks for New Establishments; Two to ten days for Existing Establishments
 

Department Contact Information

Environmental Health

Main Office
First Floor, Old Administration Building
Main Street, Road Town
Virgin Islands (British) VG1110

Business Hours:

Monday - Friday  8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
 

Other Locations
Valley, Virgin Gorda
Port Purcell
Beef Island
Long Bush

Email Address: ehd@gov.vg

Telephone:1(284) 468-5110
Fax:1(284) 468-5109