Quick answer: How do I start a daycare in Pennsylvania?
To start a daycare in Pennsylvania, you need a certificate of compliance (license) from the Department of Human Services (DHS) if you care for four or more children who are not related to you. Complete DHS orientation, submit your application to your DHS regional office and pass an inspection.
In this guide
Pennsylvania daycare licensing at a glance
| Requirement | Family child care home | Group child care home | Child care center |
|---|---|---|---|
| Children at one time | 4 to 6 children not related to you | 7 to 12 children, or 7 to 15 if all are in 4th grade through age 15 | 7 or more children not related to the operator |
| Who licenses | DHS Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), through five regional offices | ||
| Required orientation | Free online module plus an in-person session, completed within 12 months before you open | ||
| Minimum qualifications | Operator is 18 or older with a high school diploma or GED | Primary staff person has a high school diploma or GED plus one of five training or experience options | Director has a bachelor's or associate degree plus one to four years of experience with children |
| Certificate term | Up to 12 months, then renewed | ||
| Inspections | An announced inspection before your first certificate, then at least one unannounced inspection each year | ||
Sources: DHS Early Learning Provider Requirements, DHS Child Care Orientation, Chapter 3270, Chapter 3280 and Chapter 3290.
Do I need a childcare license in Pennsylvania?
Yes. In Pennsylvania, you need a certificate of compliance (license) from DHS if you operate a program for four or more children who are not related to you. Source: DHS Early Learning Provider Requirements.
If you care only for your own children or relatives, you do not need a license. Contact the zoning rules for your location early, because you will need a certificate of occupancy before DHS issues your license.
DHS licenses three types of child care facilities, based on how many children you serve and where. Each type follows its own chapter of the Pennsylvania Code.
Child care centers
A child care center is a facility where seven or more children who are not related to the operator receive care. Centers are usually in commercial locations. Source: 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3270.
Group child care homes
A group child care home is a facility where seven through 12 children of various ages, or seven through 15 children from 4th grade through age 15, who are not related to the operator receive care. Source: 55 Pa. Code § 3280.51 and DHS.
Family child care homes
A family child care home is located in a home and cares for four, five or six children who are not related to the caregiver. The number in care may not exceed six children at one time who are not related to the operator or staff person, and related children of either the legal entity or the staff person (not both) may be left out of that count. Source: 55 Pa. Code § 3290.51.
Programs the center rules do not cover
Chapter 3270 does not apply to care provided by relatives, care furnished in places of worship during religious services, care where the parent is present at all times, or care during the hours of instruction in nonpublic schools and private nursery schools and kindergartens. Some part-day school-age programs, such as programs that run fewer than 90 consecutive days a year, are also outside the rules. Source: 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.3 and 3270.3a.
Childcare Licensing and Compliance Checklist
Download this free checklist to simplify the childcare licensing process.
What are the childcare licensing requirements in Pennsylvania?
Along with the right license, you will need a solid business plan that sets out your mission, policies and procedures, budget and marketing strategies. Pennsylvania's staffing and facility requirements then vary by license type, as outlined below.
Requirements for child care centers
- Orientation and pre-service training. A representative of the legal entity must complete DHS orientation within 12 months before opening, plus professional development in 10 health and safety topics, including pediatric first aid and CPR, before the certificate is issued. Source: § 3270.11.
- Certificate of occupancy. DHS will not issue a certificate of compliance until you provide a certificate of occupancy showing compliance with the Department of Labor and Industry's requirements. Source: § 3270.15.
- Liability insurance. The legal entity must carry comprehensive general liability insurance covering the people on the premises. Source: § 3270.18.
- Safe drinking water. Centers outside Philadelphia County must submit verification that the facility meets the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act. School-age programs located in a school building are also exempt. Source: DHS "What Is a Complete Application?" (PDF), item 13.
- Director. A director needs one of four qualification levels: a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field plus one year of experience with children; a bachelor's degree with 30 credit hours in those fields plus two years; an associate's degree in those fields plus three years; or an associate's degree with 30 credit hours in those fields plus four years. A director must be employed by the facility and on site at least 30 hours a week. Source: § 3270.34.
- Group supervisor. Each group supervisor needs a bachelor's degree in the same fields, a bachelor's degree with 30 credit hours plus one year of experience, an associate's degree plus two years, or an associate's degree with 30 credit hours plus three years. A director may also serve as group supervisor in a facility with 45 or fewer enrolled children. Source: § 3270.35.
- Assistant group supervisors and aides. An assistant group supervisor needs a high school diploma or GED plus one of five training or experience options, and an aide needs a high school diploma or GED, or an 8th grade education plus either enrollment in a training curriculum or two years of experience with children. Assistant group supervisor and aide rules.
- Staff mix. At least half of your staff must be qualified as directors, group supervisors or assistant group supervisors, and no more than half may be aides. Source: § 3270.33.
- Age and training. Staff must be 18 or older, though a person 16 or older enrolled in an approved 600-hour training curriculum may serve as staff. Each staff person needs at least 12 clock hours of child care training every year, and orientation does not count toward those hours. Source: § 3270.31.
- First aid and CPR. At least one facility person trained in pediatric first aid and pediatric CPR must be at the center whenever children are in care. Source: § 3270.33(d).
- Space. You need 40 square feet of indoor child care space per child, and 65 square feet of indoor or outdoor play space per child (40 for infants, 50 for toddlers). Indoor space and play space rules.
Requirements for group child care homes
- Capacity. No more than 12 children who are not related to the operator may receive care at once, unless the facility serves only older school-age children, in which case DHS may issue a certificate for up to 15. Source: § 3280.51.
- Primary staff person. A primary staff person needs a high school diploma or GED plus one of five options: 30 college credit hours in early childhood education or a related field; 600 or more hours of secondary training; 15 credit hours plus one year of experience with children; a postsecondary training curriculum; or two years of experience with children. Source: § 3280.34.
- Secondary staff person. A secondary staff person needs a high school diploma or GED, an 8th grade education plus enrollment in a training curriculum, or an 8th grade education plus two years of experience with children. Source: § 3280.35.
- Orientation, training and clearances. The same DHS orientation and 10 health and safety training topics apply, and DHS requires clearances for the legal entity and each adult 18 or older who lives in the home at least 30 days a year. Source: § 3280.11.
Requirements for family child care homes
- Operator. The operator must be 18 or older and have a high school diploma or GED, with proof submitted to the regional office no later than the second renewal application. Source: § 3290.31.
- Staff and volunteers. Staff must be 18 or older. Volunteers must be 16 or older and directly supervised by a staff person at all times. Source: § 3290.31.
- Training. Each staff person needs at least 12 clock hours of child care training every year, and orientation does not count toward those hours. Source: § 3290.31(f).
- Orientation, pre-service training and clearances. You must complete DHS orientation within 12 months before DHS issues your certificate, plus professional development in 10 health and safety topics, including pediatric first aid and CPR. You also submit clearances for yourself and each adult 18 or older who lives in the home at least 30 days a year. Source: § 3290.11.
- Pre-certification inspection. DHS conducts an announced inspection at your home before it decides whether to issue a certificate. Source: § 3290.11(i).
- Capacity. You may care for no more than six children who are not related to you at one time, and no more than five infants and toddlers (related and unrelated combined). No more than two may be infants. With no infants you may have five toddlers, with one infant four toddlers, and with two infants three toddlers. Capacity and infant and toddler limits.
Pennsylvania child care center ratios and group sizes
When children are grouped by similar age level, each center group must stay within these ratios and group sizes. If children are grouped in mixed age levels, the youngest child in the group determines the ratio and maximum group size. Source: § 3270.51 and § 3270.52.
| Age level | Staff | Children | Maximum group size | Staff required for maximum group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant (birth to 1 year) | 1 | 4 | 8 | 2 |
| Young toddler (1 to 2 years) | 1 | 5 | 10 | 2 |
| Older toddler (2 to 3 years) | 1 | 6 | 12 | 2 |
| Preschool (3 years to kindergarten) | 1 | 10 | 20 | 2 |
| Young school-age (kindergarten to 4th grade) | 1 | 12 | 24 | 2 |
| Older school-age (4th grade to age 15) | 1 | 15 | 30 | 2 |
At least two facility persons must be present whenever two or more children are in care, and at least one must be a staff person. Source: § 3270.54.
Pennsylvania group child care home ratios and group sizes
| Age level | Staff | Children | Maximum group size | Staff required for maximum group |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Infant | 1 | 4 | 12 | 3 |
| Young toddler | 1 | 5 | 12 | 3 |
| Older toddler | 1 | 6 | 12 | 2 |
| Preschool | 1 | 10 | 12 | 2 |
| Young school-age | 1 | 12 | 12 | 1 |
| Older school-age | 1 | 15 | 15 | 1 |
A primary staff person must be present when six or fewer children are in care, unless the ratio requires more staff. The related or foster children of an operator and the children of a staff person count toward the ratio. Source: § 3280.52 and § 3280.53.
How do I apply for a childcare license in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania uses one application process for all three facility types. You work with the DHS Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) regional office that covers your county.
- Contact your regional office. DHS assigns each county to a Regional Child Development Office, and staff there can answer questions about opening a facility. Source: DHS.
- Get a certificate of occupancy. Contact your local municipality about the rules for operating a child care business at your location. DHS will not issue a certificate of compliance without a certificate of occupancy, and family child care providers are told to ask their municipality before they sign up for orientation. Source: DHS orientation page and § 3270.15.
- Complete orientation. Finish the free online module (you set up an account to take it), then register for the in-person session with your regional office within one year. Both certificates of completion must be less than a year old when you apply. See the current orientation schedules. Source: DHS.
- Finish pre-service training. Complete training in the 10 required health and safety topics, including pediatric first aid and CPR from a PQAS-certified trainer. Source: DHS application checklist.
- Gather your clearances. You need a Pennsylvania Child Abuse History Clearance, a Pennsylvania State Police criminal history check, an FBI criminal history check and National Sex Offender Registry verification for the legal entity, responsible person and any adult living in the home 30 or more days a year. Clearances must be dated within five years of your application, and anyone who lived outside Pennsylvania in the past five years needs out-of-state clearances. Source: DHS application checklist and DHS Clearances.
- Submit a complete application. Send form CD 633 and your supporting documents to your regional office. The checklist includes your certificate of occupancy, disclosure statements, mandated reporter training, business papers, tax-exempt status if you are a nonprofit, your FEIN, the Civil Rights Compliance form (HS 2126), orientation and pre-service training certificates and, for centers, drinking water verification. DHS returns incomplete applications, and a complete application is required before an initial inspection is scheduled. Find the child care forms and full checklist. If you are starting a business entity, you can register your business with the state first.
- Pass your inspection. An agent of DHS conducts an announced inspection before issuing your first certificate of compliance. DHS issues a regular certificate if you meet the requirements. If you are in substantial but not complete compliance, DHS can issue a provisional certificate for up to six months, and no more than four consecutive provisional certificates. Source: § 3270.24(e) and § 20.54.
DHS does not publish a standard processing time, so timing depends on how quickly you complete orientation, training, clearances and your application documents. Contact your regional office for an estimate, and see DHS's Providers & Licensing page for more. Want to compare other states? See brightwheel's childcare licensing requirements by state, plus guides for Pennsylvania, childcare centers and small family child care homes.
How do I stay compliant after I'm licensed?
- Renew every year. A certificate of compliance is issued for no more than 12 months. Submit your renewal application at least 60 days before your current certificate expires. Source: § 3270.11(f) and § 20.22.
- Expect annual unannounced inspections. DHS conducts at least one unannounced onsite inspection of every child care facility each year, and it may also inspect in response to a complaint. DHS publishes its Certification Inspection Instrument and worksheets so you can review your own compliance. Source: § 3290.11.
- Update clearances at renewal. Submit clearances for any adult who turned 18 or moved into the facility since your last application. Source: § 3280.11(e).
- Post your certificate and inspection summaries. Display your current certificate of compliance where parents can see it, and keep each inspection summary posted until DHS verifies that every cited item has been corrected. Source: § 3270.25.
- Keep training current. Staff complete at least 12 clock hours of child care training each year, must renew pediatric first aid and CPR on or before expiration and, in centers, take annual fire safety training. Source: § 3270.31.
- Maintain your emergency plan. Review it at least annually, run emergency drills yearly and train staff on it when they start and every year. Source: § 3270.27.
- Report serious incidents. If a child is hospitalized or treated in an emergency room, a child dies or a fire requires the fire department, notify the parent immediately, call the regional office within 24 hours and send a written report within 72 hours. Source: § 3270.20.
Sources: Chapter 3270, Chapter 3280 and Chapter 3290.
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Are there grants for childcare providers in Pennsylvania?
Yes. Grants do not need to be repaid and can fund facility upgrades, equipment, professional development and program enhancements. Funding changes often, so review the current grants for childcare providers in Pennsylvania to find programs that fit your program.
Frequently asked questions
How long is a childcare license valid in Pennsylvania?
A certificate of compliance (license) is issued for no more than 12 months. You must renew it every year by submitting a renewal application at least 60 days before it expires, and DHS conducts at least one unannounced inspection each year.
Do I need a college degree to open a home daycare in Pennsylvania?
Not for a family child care home. The operator must be 18 or older and have a high school diploma or GED, with proof due by the second renewal application. Group child care homes require a primary staff person with a high school diploma or GED plus training or experience, and child care center directors need a bachelor's or associate degree plus one to four years of experience with children.
How many children can I care for in a home daycare in Pennsylvania?
A family child care home may care for four, five or six children who are not related to the operator, with no more than five infants and toddlers and no more than two infants. A group child care home may care for seven through 12 children, or up to 15 if it serves only older school-age children.
What are the staff-to-child ratios for Pennsylvania child care centers?
Pennsylvania centers must keep one staff person for every 4 infants, 5 young toddlers, 6 older toddlers, 10 preschool children, 12 young school-age children and 15 older school-age children. Maximum group sizes are 8, 10, 12, 20, 24 and 30, and in a mixed-age group the youngest child sets the ratio.
Where do I submit my childcare license application in Pennsylvania?
You submit your application to the DHS Office of Child Development and Early Learning regional office that covers your county. DHS reviews the application for accuracy and completeness and returns it if it is incomplete, and a complete application is required before an initial inspection is scheduled.
Final thoughts
Securing a childcare license is a critical first step in launching a program in Pennsylvania. Designed with new childcare programs in mind, brightwheel's software streamlines operations, improves communication and supports your program's growth from day one, and you can begin setting it up before you open.
