Finding daycare in Pennsylvania means working with a state system that is more structured than many parents expect. Every legal child care provider is certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), and this directory covers providers in all 67 counties. The names range from large centers in Philadelphia to small neighborhood programs in towns such as Altoona, Johnstown and East Stroudsburg. This page explains who regulates these providers, how the main provider types differ, and what to do before you enroll a child.

How the State of Pennsylvania Regulates Daycare Providers

Child care oversight in Pennsylvania sits with the Department of Human Services. Within DHS, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) manages certification, quality programs and subsidies, and it shares leadership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education. Regional DHS staff do the day-to-day work of reviewing applications and inspecting sites.

The binding rules live in Title 55 of the Pennsylvania Code. Chapter 3270 covers child day care centers, Chapter 3280 covers group child day care homes, and Chapter 3290 covers family child care homes. Together they set staff qualifications, adult-to-child ratios, group sizes, building and fire safety, medication handling, safe sleep practices and record keeping.

Staff must also pass background screening. That includes a child abuse history clearance, a Pennsylvania State Police criminal record check and a federal fingerprint-based check. DHS inspects certified providers at least once a year, and many visits are unannounced. Inspection results and any cited violations are public, so you can read a provider's record before you schedule a tour.

Many parents say a daycare is "licensed." The document to ask for is the certificate of compliance, which the provider should display where families can see it. If a program cannot show one, ask why before you leave your child there.

Ratios tighten as children get younger. In a center, an infant room is limited to four babies per caregiver, while a preschool room can have ten children per adult. These limits apply to every certified center, so a provider quoting looser numbers is a red flag.

Centers, Group Homes and Family Homes: Which Type Fits Your Family

Pennsylvania certifies child care in three main forms. The right choice depends on your child's age, your work schedule and how much structure you want.

Whatever type you choose, check the ages and capacity listed on the certificate. A site approved for preschoolers may not be approved for infants, and the paperwork will tell you.

Daycare Across Pennsylvania: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, the Suburbs and Rural Counties

Philadelphia has the densest supply in the state. Philadelphia County holds more than a thousand providers, from small neighborhood centers such as 123 Back To Basics on Angora Terrace to larger programs near transit lines. The city also funds PHLpreK, which offers free pre-kindergarten seats to eligible children through approved providers, so ask any Philadelphia center whether it participates.

In the west, Pittsburgh anchors the market. Allegheny County has the second-largest concentration of providers in the state, including 1st Years Day Care Center on Franklin Avenue. Hills, rivers and long bridge commutes make location matter here. A center near your workplace or on your daily route can save real time.

The Philadelphia suburbs form the next tier. Montgomery County includes Bambi Day School in Lansdale and Chesterbrook Academy in Norristown. Chester County includes Abc Kidz Kare in West Chester and Abc123 Early Learning Center in Phoenixville. Delaware County adds All About Children Daycare Center in Upper Darby. Suburban programs often serve commuting parents, and infant waiting lists can be long.

Central Pennsylvania centers on Harrisburg, Lancaster and York. Bless The Children Daycare Center on South Queen Street in Lancaster and Children First Learning Center in York serve mid-sized cities, while Apple Dumpling Gang sits in Mechanicsburg, just west of Harrisburg. The Lehigh Valley adds Winchester Road Day Care Center in Allentown, Cambridge Day Schools in Bethlehem and Angel's Day Care Center in Easton.

Rural and small-city areas look different. In Altoona, Johnstown, Williamsport, State College, Erie and East Stroudsburg, you will usually find fewer providers within a short drive, and infant openings can be scarce. Best Care Child Care in Altoona, Carolyn's Child Care Center in Johnstown, Children's Development Center in Williamsport, Around The Clock Child Care in Erie and Jack & Jill Nursery in East Stroudsburg show what is available. If you live far from a town, widen your search early and ask whether drop-off hours match your commute.

Paying for Daycare in Pennsylvania: Child Care Works, Keystone STARS and Pre-K Programs

Child Care Works is the state subsidy program for families who need help with costs. Eligibility depends on household income and family size, and parents generally must be working or attending school or training. Families pay a weekly copayment based on income, and the subsidy covers the rest up to a set rate. You apply through the state's COMPASS portal or through your regional Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC), the agency that handles subsidy cases.

Ask each provider whether it accepts Child Care Works before you tour, since not every program does. Waiting lists have appeared in some periods, so apply well before you need care to begin.

Keystone STARS is Pennsylvania's quality rating system. Programs can earn STAR 1 through STAR 4, and higher levels meet added standards for staff education, curriculum and family engagement. Participation is voluntary. A program without a star rating is not automatically weak, but a high rating shows it has been reviewed well beyond basic certification.

For three- and four-year-olds, Pre-K Counts and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program offer free early learning to eligible families. Some of these seats are held by child care centers, so ask local providers whether they take part. The footer below lists what to check on a tour and answers common questions.

Licensed daycare and childcare programs in Pennsylvania are regulated by the state's child care licensing division, which establishes standards for health, safety, staff qualifications, and caregiver-to-child ratios to protect enrolled children.

Daycare locations are available in 779 cities across Pennsylvania. They are spread across 67 counties.

Cities with the highest concentration include Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Harrisburg, reflecting population centers where working families have the greatest demand for licensed childcare options.

Families in Pennsylvania searching for licensed childcare should verify that any facility is currently licensed by the state, check inspection history, and inquire about available subsidy programs that may reduce out-of-pocket childcare costs.

Daycare by Counties

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
L
M
N
P
S
T
U
V
W
Y

Daycare by Cities

A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
Q
R
S
T
U
V
W
Y
Z

Families in Pennsylvania can verify the licensing status of any childcare provider through the state's child care licensing agency online database. Income-eligible families may qualify for childcare subsidies through the Child Care and Development Fund program administered at the state level.

Browse Daycare by county across Pennsylvania to find the nearest location.

What to Check During a Pennsylvania Daycare Tour

A tour tells you more than a brochure. Start by asking to see the certificate of compliance and the latest inspection summary, then compare both with the public record on the DHS provider search. Note the date of the last inspection and any violations, and ask the director how each one was corrected.

Count the adults and children in the room your child would use, and compare those numbers with the state ratios. Ask about staff turnover, since steady caregivers matter most for infants and toddlers. Look at where babies sleep. Pennsylvania safe sleep rules call for infants on their backs in a safe crib, so cluttered cribs should raise questions.

Request a written parent handbook. It should explain tuition, late pickup fees, closures, illness policies and emergency procedures. If you are comparing programs in Dauphin County or Lancaster County, tour at least three, since quality and price can differ even within one town. Ask about registration fees, supply charges and what it costs to hold a spot.

Pennsylvania Daycare Questions Parents Ask

The Department of Human Services certifies child care providers through its Office of Child Development and Early Learning. To check a specific provider, use the DHS online child care search, which lists the facility type, certificate status, capacity, inspection dates and any cited violations. You can also ask the provider for its certificate of compliance and most recent inspection report. If something does not match, call the DHS regional office that covers the county before enrolling your child.

It depends on the provider type and the children's ages. In a center, state rules allow four infants per caregiver, and a preschool room can have ten children per adult. Group child day care homes care for seven to twelve children, and family child care homes care for four to six unrelated children. Mixed-age groups follow their own calculations. Ask the director how many adults are in the room during the busiest hours, and compare the answer with what you see.

You can apply online through COMPASS, the state benefits portal, or through your regional Early Learning Resource Center. Gather proof of household income, identification, and documentation of work, school or training. Once approved, you choose a provider that accepts the subsidy and pay a weekly copayment based on income and family size. Processing takes time, and some areas have had waiting lists, so apply before you need care to start and keep your chosen provider updated on your status.

Keystone STARS is Pennsylvania's voluntary quality rating and improvement program. Providers earn a rating from STAR 1 to STAR 4, and each level adds standards covering staff qualifications, the learning program, partnerships with families and program leadership. A STAR 4 program has met the most demanding standards. A provider with no rating still holds a certificate and meets state minimums. Treat the rating as one factor alongside inspection reports, staff stability and how comfortable your child feels during a visit.

Start as early as you can, especially for infants. Large markets such as Philadelphia and Pittsburgh have many providers, but popular centers can keep waiting lists. In smaller communities like Altoona, Johnstown or Williamsport, fewer programs exist, so each classroom matters more. Call at least three providers, ask when openings are expected and request tuition in writing. Many parents begin searching during pregnancy or several months before returning to work, which leaves time to tour, check inspection records and finish enrollment paperwork.

If a child is in immediate danger, call 911. To report suspected child abuse, call ChildLine at 1-800-932-0313, which operates around the clock. For complaints about certification rules, such as ratios, sanitation or unsafe conditions, contact the DHS regional office that oversees the provider's county. The department reviews the complaint and may inspect the site. Write down dates, names and what you observed first, because specific details help investigators act quickly.