How to start a daycare in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services licenses child care centers in Pennsylvania. These are the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 3, 2026.
5,010
Licensed center programs
399,006 spots
63
Licensed spots per 100 children under 5
Centers and home daycares
653,094
Children under 5
The Census Bureau's estimate
Opening a child care center in Pennsylvania, step by step
Contact your regional office
Contact the Regional Child Development Office that covers child care in your county.
Source: Early Learning Provider RequirementsGet a certificate of occupancy
Get a certificate of occupancy from your town before you apply. It shows the building is zoned for child care.
Source: Opening a Child Care Facility in PennsylvaniaComplete both parts of orientation
Take the online orientation first. Then register with your regional office for the in-person orientation.
Source: Early Childhood EducationFinish health and safety training
Complete training in 10 health and safety topics. You need it to get a certificate.
Source: Early Learning Provider RequirementsTake child abuse training
Complete child abuse training before you apply to run a child care facility.
Source: Opening a Child Care Facility in PennsylvaniaGet your clearances
Get child abuse registry, state police and FBI fingerprint clearances for your application.
Source: What Is A Complete Application? (Appendix C, Information Sheet)Send a complete application
Send a complete application to your Regional Office of Child Development and Early Learning.
Source: What Is A Complete Application? (Appendix C, Information Sheet)Pass the initial inspection
Pass the initial inspection. It is required for your certificate of compliance.
Source: Opening a Child Care Facility in Pennsylvania
At a glance
- Who licenses centers
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). Certifies programs that care for 4 or more children not related to the provider.Source: Early Learning Provider Requirements
- Child care center
- 7 or more children not related to the operatorSource: Early Learning Provider Requirements
- First certificate
- Provisional, for up to six monthsSource: Opening a Child Care Facility in Pennsylvania
- Orientation certificates
- Less than a year old when you applySource: Orientation Training for Child Care Providers
- Opening day
- Not before the effective date on your certificateSource: Opening a Child Care Facility in Pennsylvania
- Rules for centers
- 55 Pa. Code, Chapter 3270Source: Early Learning Provider Requirements
Good to know
- Your city, township or borough may have its own zoning, building, health and fire rules.Source: Opening a Child Care Facility in Pennsylvania
- New providers can also apply online through Provider Self Service.Source: Early Childhood Education
- Once you are open, certification staff inspect each year without notice. They also look into complaints.Source: Bureau of Certification Services
- In Philadelphia, you also send city documents with your application.Source: What Is A Complete Application? (Appendix C, Information Sheet)
Where Pennsylvania has the fewest licensed spots per child
Licensed spots per 100 children under 5, lowest first, among counties with 20 or more center programs.
- Franklin County 31 licensed center programs 26 spots per 100 children under 5
- Lebanon County 23 licensed center programs 31 spots per 100 children under 5
- Lancaster County 149 licensed center programs 34 spots per 100 children under 5
- Fayette County 30 licensed center programs 36 spots per 100 children under 5
- Schuylkill County 32 licensed center programs 40 spots per 100 children under 5
- York County 115 licensed center programs 41 spots per 100 children under 5
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Plan your program
- How to start a home daycare in Pennsylvania
The kinds of home daycare the state allows, and the steps.
- Pennsylvania licensing guide
Ratios, trainings and the checklist the state asks for.
- Childcare in Pennsylvania, by the numbers
Programs, spots and new centers in every county.
- Daycare business plan
How to write a plan for funding and licensing.
- Tuition calculator
Typical rates by state and age group.
- Ratio calculator
Staff needed for each age group, by state.
Questions, answered
How do I start a daycare in Pennsylvania?
The first step: Contact your regional office. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who licenses child care centers in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). Certifies programs that care for 4 or more children not related to the provider.
How many licensed daycares are in Pennsylvania?
5,010 licensed center programs and 1,554 home daycares, as of November 3, 2026.
About this page
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 3, 2026.
Every license count here comes from the state's provider file, read November 3, 2026. Children under 5 are the Census Bureau's estimates.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
Questions about childcare in Pennsylvania?
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