Daycare License Requirements for Pennsylvania



Worker Requirements

Must be at least 18 years old and have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field; or a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, including 30 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field and 1 year of experience with children; or an Associate’s degree in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field and 2 years of experience with children; or an Associate’s degree from an accredited college or university, including 30 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field and 3 years of experience with children.

Provider / Child Ratio

Age Range Ratio For Center-based Care
Age of Children Child: Staff Ratio/ Maximum Group Size
6 weeks – 9 months (4:1) 8
18 months (5:1) 10
27 months (6:1) 12
3 years – 5 years (10:1) 20
6 years – 7 years (12:1) 24
8 years – 9 years (12:1 or 15:1) 24/30
10 years and older (15:1) 30
Small Family Child Care Homes
Number of Children Allowed: 4-6
Maximum Number of Children to One Provider: 6
Provider’s Own Children Counted: Yes, if infants and/or toddlers
Max Number of Infants/Toddlers to One Provider: 3 toddlers if 2 infants

4 toddlers if 1 infant

5 toddlers if no infantsLarge Family Child Care Homes Number of Children Allowed:7-12 (plus 3 school-age children)Ratio of Children to One Provider:See State NotesProvider’s Own Children Counted:Yes

 

Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare

Bureau of Child Day Care

Office of Children, Youth and Families

Health and Welfare Building, Room 131

P.O. Box 2675

Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675

Phone: 717-787-8691

Fax: 717-787-1529

Hotline: 877-4-PA-KIDS (within state)

Web site: http://www.dpw.state.pa.us/ServicesPrograms/ChildCareEarlyEd/

 

 

Family child care home

http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/055/chapter3290/chap3290toc.html

 

Child day care centers

http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/055/chapter3270/chap3270toc.html

Learn more about How To Start A Daycare