How to start a home daycare in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services oversees home daycares in Pennsylvania. These are the kinds it allows and the steps, each with the state's own page.
Steps checked on the state's own pages, November 3, 2026.
1,554
Home daycares
12,592 spots
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
The kinds of home daycare Pennsylvania allows
Family child care home
4, 5 or 6 children not related to you
Care takes place in a home, for children who are not your relatives.
Source: Early Learning Provider RequirementsGroup child care home
7 to 12 children, or up to 15 from 4th grade to age 15
It suits a bigger program for children who are not related to you.
Source: Early Learning Provider Requirements
Starting a home daycare in Pennsylvania, step by step
Talk to your town first
Ask your town about rules for a child care business in your home. Ask when you can get a certificate of occupancy.
Source: Orientation Training for Child Care ProvidersTake the online orientation module
Set up an account and take the online module for family child care homes.
Source: Orientation Training for Child Care ProvidersAttend the in-person orientation
After the module, register for the in-person orientation session.
Source: Orientation Training for Child Care ProvidersFinish 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 home.
Source: Opening a Child Care Facility in PennsylvaniaGet clearances for your household
Adults 18 or older who live in your home 30 or more days a year need clearances too.
Source: What Is A Complete Application? (Appendix C, Information Sheet)Apply for your certificate
Apply for a certificate of compliance. Include the certificates from both parts of orientation.
Source: Orientation Training for Child Care ProvidersPass the initial inspection
Once your application is complete, the state can schedule your initial inspection.
Source: Orientation Training for Child Care Providers
At a glance
- Who oversees home daycares
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). Its Bureau of Certification Services regulates all family child care homes and group child care homes.Source: Opening a Child Care Facility in Pennsylvania
- Who needs a certificate
- Anyone caring for 4 or more children not related to themSource: Early Learning Provider Requirements
- Orientation certificates
- Less than a year old when you applySource: Orientation Training for Child Care Providers
- Family home inspections
- Every year, without noticeSource: Child Care Regulations
- Rules for homes
- 55 Pa. Code, Chapter 3290 for family homes and Chapter 3280 for group homesSource: 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
- In Philadelphia, you also send city documents with your application.Source: What Is A Complete Application? (Appendix C, Information Sheet)
- A group child care home takes the same orientation as a child care center.Source: Orientation Training for Child Care Providers
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
Run a program in Pennsylvania? Bloomily handles enrollment, billing, check-in and family messages. See how it works
Plan your program
- How to start a daycare in Pennsylvania
Opening a child care center: the steps and the agency.
- 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 home daycare in Pennsylvania?
The first step: Talk to your town first. All 8 steps are on this page, each with the state's own link.
Who oversees home daycares in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). Its Bureau of Certification Services regulates all family child care homes and group child care homes.
How many children can a home daycare in Pennsylvania care for?
Family child care home: 4, 5 or 6 children not related to you. Group child care home: 7 to 12 children, or up to 15 from 4th grade to age 15.
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.
Home daycares are family homes, for up to 6 children, and group homes, for up to 12.
This page is a summary of the state's own pages. It is not legal advice, and rules change.
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