How to Prepare Your Home for Fostering Siblings

Welcoming foster siblings into your home is a powerful act of love and generosity that can change their lives forever. It not only provides a safe space for children in need, but also gives them the chance to stay together, preserve their bond, and lean on each other during a difficult moment in their lives. Imagine the stressful situation they are already in PLUS being separated from their sibling. We understand that preparing a home for foster siblings may seem overwhelming. We are hopeful that this step-by-step guide will help you prepare in a more manageable way.

Since you have come to this article, we realize you are either already considering or have foster children, and implementing these ideas will help you feel less stress. From creating suitable living spaces to building routines and involving your whole household, these actionable tips will help you feel ready for this important journey.

The Importance of Keeping Siblings Together

Before focusing on logistics, it is helpful to remember why sibling placement matters so much. Siblings placed together are going to do better because they will experience the comfort of having each other. They will also experience the following benefits:

Less anxiety during the move into foster care
Higher levels of emotional stability
Better academic and social outcomes
Stronger connections that help them adjust to the new home

In many cases, siblings have been each other’s primary caregivers and sources of comfort. Keeping them together can help prevent feelings of loneliness, loss, or isolation. By preparing your home specifically for siblings to be with each other, you are playing an active role in supporting that emotional stability.

Evaluate Your Home’s Space and Sleeping Arrangements

When getting ready to foster siblings, evaluate the available space in your home objectively. Make sure you comply with state requirements (for example, Virginia Department of Social Services requires each child to have their own bed and a space for privacy (to change clothes, bathe, etc.)

Things to consider:

Do I have enough bedrooms?
Can any current rooms be repurposed for a bedroom?
Is there room for storage and personal belongings?

If the siblings are the same gender and close in age, they might share a bedroom—but they must still have separate beds and room to move comfortably.

Tips:

Bunk beds are a great space-saving option.
Use neutral decoration so each child can personalize their area.
Provide a solution for clothing and personal items (closet, dresser, shelves, bins).

Create Individualized Spaces Within Shared Rooms

Even if siblings share a bedroom, each child still needs something that belongs only to them. Creating small “personal zones” helps every child feel respected and valued. Personal zones will also give them the space they need when and if conflicts occur.

Clever ways to create a personal space:

Place a small nightstand next to each bed.
Give each child their own bin or drawer for favorite items. Local dollar stores have options, as well as Amazon.
Hang name signs or pictures above each bed.
Use rugs or shelf dividers to subtly separate areas

Encourage each child to help decorate their area once they arrive. This can help them feel more of a sense of belonging and that this is truly their space where they can relax, and feel security.

Stock Up on Practical Essentials

One of the most helpful ways to prepare your home for fostering siblings is to gather basic supplies ahead of time. This not only creates peace of mind for you, but also makes the children feel welcomed and cared for.

Helpful items to have ready:

Type	Examples
Toiletries	Toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, hairbrushes
Linens	Extra sheets, blankets, pillows, towels
Clothing basics	T-shirts, socks, pajamas in a range of sizes
School items	Notebooks, pencils, backpacks
Snacks	Nut-free snacks, water bottles, breakfast items

You do not need to buy everything at once. Start with general items and adjust once you know the ages and preferences of the children. Also important to note is that The Up Center does our best to supply essential items when a child enters care unexpectedly.

Set Clear Household Routines

Children entering foster care often come from unpredictable or chaotic situations. One of the most comforting things you can provide is a clear, consistent daily routine. Siblings especially benefit from knowing what to expect throughout the day.

Suggestions:

Regular meal times
A simple after-school schedule (snack, homework, free time)
Calming bedtime rituals (reading, quiet time)

Consider posting a visual schedule on the fridge or in a shared space. Use age-appropriate icons or words so each child understands it.

Include Your Entire Family in the Preparation

If you live with a spouse, partner, or other children, make sure they’re actively involved in the preparation. Talk about what it means to foster siblings and how everyone can help.
Have open conversations about:

Sharing space and toys
Showing patience and empathy
Respecting privacy
What to expect in the first few days

Involving your household builds a supportive, united environment for the foster siblings and teaches your own children important lessons about compassion and inclusion. The Up Center provides guidance and counseling to help families adjust to new placements.

Plan for Different Personalities and Developmental Needs

Siblings may be close, but they often have very different personalities and needs. One child may be outgoing and eager to connect, while another may be quiet or guarded.

How to support different needs:

Offer group activities as well as individual one-on-one time
Pay attention to each child’s emotional cues
Be flexible in how you communicate; some children will open up through drawing or play rather than talking

If any child has special medical or developmental needs, speak with your foster care agency to access appropriate support and community services.

Prepare for Conflict and Healthy Boundaries

It’s common for siblings to bicker, and those dynamics don’t disappear in a foster home. Be prepared to guide positive conflict resolution while also enforcing healthy boundaries.

Best practices:

Establish simple house rules (use kind words, no hitting, respect others’ belongings)
Encourage siblings to speak calmly and take turns
Provide a quiet space where a child can go if they feel overwhelmed

This structure gives siblings the safety to express their emotions while preserving the peaceful flow of your household.

Build a Supportive Environment Through Positive Reinforcement

Preparing your home for fostering siblings also means creating an emotional environment that builds their self-esteem. Praise and encouragement can go a long way in helping siblings feel safe and confident.

Ideas to implement:

Create a “wall of accomplishments” where you post school papers or drawings
Use positive reinforcement charts for chores or sharing
Celebrate milestones as a family (first week together, improvements in school, birthdays) It’s possible that celebrations are not something the child has often experienced. Small celebrations show that each child matters and is seen.

Coordinate With Your Foster Care Agency

Stay in regular contact with your foster care caseworker. They can help you:

Identify additional training
Access local support groups. The Up Center can also provide additional support.
Understand the unique background of the siblings
Prepare for specific emotional or behavioral needs

The more information you have, the better you can tailor your home environment to support the siblings’ well-being.

Make Safety a Top Priority

Safety is another essential part of preparing your home for fostering siblings. In addition to general child-proofing, consider age-appropriate safety measures.

Checklist:

Install smoke and carbon monoxide detectors
Secure medications and cleaning supplies in locked cabinets
Cover electrical outlets
Install stair gates if children are young
Clearly mark emergency phone numbers and exits

Taking the time to safeguard your home shows the siblings ensures a safe and secure home for the siblings.

Gather Books, Games, and Activities that Foster Bonding

Shared activities can help siblings transition into your home and establish a healthy routine. Ideas include:

Board games that require teamwork
Cooperative puzzles
Outdoor play (basketball, soccer, playground trips)
Age-appropriate movies or craft projects

These activities foster positive memories and let the siblings enjoy being kids together, which can be incredibly healing.

Address Cultural and Personal Backgrounds

Whenever possible, ask your agency for information about the children’s cultural, religious, or personal background. This can help you incorporate familiar foods, traditions, or holidays in your home.

For example:

If the siblings speak another language, consider adding bilingual labels around the house.
If they come from a specific religious background, find respectful ways to support that.

This attention to detail helps foster siblings feel respected and seen.

Take Care of Yourself During the Process

Preparing your home for fostering siblings is a meaningful commitment, but it can also be emotionally demanding. Do not forget to take care of yourself.

Simple self-care tips:

Set realistic expectations for the first few weeks
Take breaks when needed and accept help
Use respite care services when available
Join support groups for foster parents

When you take care of yourself, you’re in a better position to take care of the siblings.

What are the bedroom space requirements in Virginia for foster siblings?

In Virginia, each foster child must have their own individual bed. Siblings are allowed to share a bedroom only if they are the same gender and under 18. The bedroom must be large enough to allow safe and comfortable movement. A good rule of thumb used by the Virginia Department of Social Services is at least 50 square feet per child in a shared room and 70 square feet for a single-occupancy bedroom.

Are there any restrictions on where bedrooms can be located?

Yes. Virginia does not allow foster children to sleep in unfinished basements, utility rooms, or areas without proper heating, lighting, or ventilation. Bedrooms must be located in finished living spaces that meet standard health and safety codes.

What safety equipment is required in foster homes in Virginia?

All foster homes in Virginia must have working smoke detectors on every level, and carbon monoxide detectors if the home uses gas appliances. The home must also have a clearly posted emergency evacuation plan.

How does Virginia require medications and firearms to be stored?

Virginia DSS requires medications, cleaning products, and sharp objects to be stored in locked or secured cabinets. All firearms must be unloaded, locked, and stored separately from ammunition.

Do foster homes in Virginia need to pass an inspection?

Yes. Before siblings can be placed in your care, a local Virginia DSS licensing specialist will conduct an in-person inspection to verify that the home is safe, sanitary, and compliant with Virginia Administrative Code 22VAC40-131-190. The inspection includes checks for working plumbing, electrical systems, adequate heating/cooling, safe sleeping arrangements, and available indoor/outdoor recreational space.

Opening your home to foster siblings is an amazingly generous thing to do. We are so appreciative of your commitment to helping kids during perhaps, one of the most difficult times in their lives. Even though making your home ready for fostering siblings requires planning and adjustments, every step you take makes your home safer and more welcoming for the children who will soon become part of your daily life.

By dedicating time to create individualized spaces, setting up clear routines, understanding each child’s unique needs, and maintaining open communication with your foster care agency, you set the foundation for a successful and rewarding fostering experience. Above all, remember that unconditional kindness and patience are far more powerful than any material preparation. Even small, thoughtful details — like greeting the siblings with their favorite snack or letting them choose the color of their bedspread — can have a lasting impact.

As you prepare for this journey, trust that your willingness to keep siblings together already makes a tremendous difference. Every effort you put into shaping a supportive home environment gives these children the opportunity to stay connected, heal together, and grow in a place filled with care and hope.