Pennsylvania Launch Guide

How to Start a Daycare in Pennsylvania (2026)

Last updated: June 2026

Researched by the TotReady Research Team

Opening a licensed daycare in Pennsylvania means applying to the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services, clearing fingerprint-based background checks, meeting facility and staff-to-child ratio rules, and passing a licensing inspection. This guide walks the process end to end, grounded in Pennsylvania's licensing statutes.

Pennsylvania Daycare Licensing: Fees & Key Numbers

The statute-cited figures that shape your Pennsylvania launch budget and timeline.

Application fee
Pennsylvania charges no application fee for child care certification; 55 Pa. Code § 3270.11 (centers) and § 3290.11 (family child care homes) require a Certificate of Compliance and a free Department (DHS) orientation but contain no fee provision, and the official Application for Certificate of Compliance form lists no filing fee (55 Pa. Code § 3270.11; § 3290.11).
Annual renewal fee
Pennsylvania charges no renewal fee for child care certification; the Certificate of Compliance is issued for a period not to exceed 12 months and is renewed at no cost, as the regulations specify no fee (55 Pa. Code § 3270.11; § 3290.11).
Pre-service training
Pennsylvania does not set a fixed pre-service clock-hour total; the legal entity must participate in a DHS orientation within 12 months prior to issuance of the certificate of compliance and before commencing operation (55 Pa. Code § 3270.11), and each staff person must complete health and safety professional development (infectious disease, SIDS/safe sleep, medication administration, food-allergy response, building/hazard safety, shaken-baby prevention, emergency preparedness, hazardous materials, transportation, and pediatric first aid/CPR) within 90 days of hire (55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(f)).
Annual training
Each child care staff person must obtain an annual minimum of 12 clock hours of child care training (55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(e)); professional development required within 90 days of hire under subsection (f) may count toward these annual hours on a one-time basis (55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(i)).
License-exempt threshold
Pennsylvania requires a Certificate of Compliance once out-of-home care is provided to four or more unrelated children 15 or younger, so up to three unrelated children may be cared for without certification; 4-6 unrelated children is a certified Family Child Care Home (55 Pa. Code § 3290.3, which applies to facilities caring for 'four, five or six children who are not related to the operator and who are 15 years of age or younger'), and 7 or more triggers the Group Child Care Home or Child Care Center chapters (55 Pa. Code § 3280.51 caps a Group Child Care Home at 12 unrelated children; 55 Pa. Code § 3270.3 applies to facilities serving 'seven or more children, 15 years of age or younger'). Exemptions include care provided by relatives, care provided during the hours of instruction in nonpublic schools and in private nursery schools and kindergartens, care furnished in places of worship during religious services, and care in a facility where the parent is present at all times (55 Pa. Code § 3270.3).
Family child care capacity
A Pennsylvania Family Child Care Home may care for a maximum of six unrelated children at one time (55 Pa. Code § 3290.3, which applies to care for 'four, five or six children who are not related to the operator'); of these, no more than five related and unrelated infants and toddlers combined and no more than two infants may receive care at any one time (55 Pa. Code § 3290.52). Caring for 7-12 children requires the larger Group Child Care Home certification, which caps at no more than 12 children unrelated to the operator (55 Pa. Code § 3280.51).
Indoor square footage
Pennsylvania requires a minimum of 40 square feet of usable indoor child care space per child; the allowable number of children in a space is determined by dividing the total square feet by 40 (55 Pa. Code § 3270.61). Outdoor or indoor play space must be 65 square feet per child, except 40 square feet per infant and 50 square feet per young or older toddler (55 Pa. Code § 3270.62).
Inspection schedule
Annual unannounced inspection; complaint-based inspections

The 8 Steps to Open a Daycare in Pennsylvania

Follow these in order. Each step is grounded in Pennsylvania's childcare licensing rules.

  1. Research your state's rules

    Confirm whether your program needs a license in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania requires a Certificate of Compliance once out-of-home care is provided to four or more unrelated children 15 or younger, so up to three unrelated children may be cared for without certification; 4-6 unrelated children is a certified Family Child Care Home (55 Pa. Code § 3290.3, which applies to facilities caring for 'four, five or six children who are not related to the operator and who are 15 years of age or younger'), and 7 or more triggers the Group Child Care Home or Child Care Center chapters (55 Pa. Code § 3280.51 caps a Group Child Care Home at 12 unrelated children; 55 Pa. Code § 3270.3 applies to facilities serving 'seven or more children, 15 years of age or younger'). Exemptions include care provided by relatives, care provided during the hours of instruction in nonpublic schools and in private nursery schools and kindergartens, care furnished in places of worship during religious services, and care in a facility where the parent is present at all times (55 Pa. Code § 3270.3).

    Read the rule that defines license-exempt care before you do anything else — it determines whether you operate as a family child care home, a center, or an exempt arrangement.

  2. Complete pre-service training & CPR

    Finish the required pre-service training and certifications. Pennsylvania does not set a fixed pre-service clock-hour total; the legal entity must participate in a DHS orientation within 12 months prior to issuance of the certificate of compliance and before commencing operation (55 Pa. Code § 3270.11), and each staff person must complete health and safety professional development (infectious disease, SIDS/safe sleep, medication administration, food-allergy response, building/hazard safety, shaken-baby prevention, emergency preparedness, hazardous materials, transportation, and pediatric first aid/CPR) within 90 days of hire (55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(f)).

    Plan for ongoing training too: Each child care staff person must obtain an annual minimum of 12 clock hours of child care training (55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(e)); professional development required within 90 days of hire under subsection (f) may count toward these annual hours on a one-time basis (55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(i)).

  3. Pass background checks

    Submit fingerprint-based background checks for yourself and every staff member, volunteer, and (where applicable) household member before anyone has unsupervised access to children.

    Background-check clearance often takes the longest of any single step — start it early so it doesn't gate your opening date.

  4. Prepare your facility

    Set up a space that meets Pennsylvania's facility standards. Pennsylvania requires a minimum of 40 square feet of usable indoor child care space per child; the allowable number of children in a space is determined by dividing the total square feet by 40 (55 Pa. Code § 3270.61). Outdoor or indoor play space must be 65 square feet per child, except 40 square feet per infant and 50 square feet per young or older toddler (55 Pa. Code § 3270.62).

    Match your enrollment plan to capacity limits: A Pennsylvania Family Child Care Home may care for a maximum of six unrelated children at one time (55 Pa. Code § 3290.3, which applies to care for 'four, five or six children who are not related to the operator'); of these, no more than five related and unrelated infants and toddlers combined and no more than two infants may receive care at any one time (55 Pa. Code § 3290.52). Caring for 7-12 children requires the larger Group Child Care Home certification, which caps at no more than 12 children unrelated to the operator (55 Pa. Code § 3280.51).

  5. Submit your license application & fee

    File your application with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services and pay the licensing fee. Pennsylvania charges no application fee for child care certification; 55 Pa. Code § 3270.11 (centers) and § 3290.11 (family child care homes) require a Certificate of Compliance and a free Department (DHS) orientation but contain no fee provision, and the official Application for Certificate of Compliance form lists no filing fee (55 Pa. Code § 3270.11; § 3290.11).

    Include your parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and operations manual — inspectors ask for these at the initial visit.

  6. Pass the licensing inspection

    Schedule and pass your pre-licensing inspection. Annual unannounced inspection; complaint-based inspections

    The inspector checks ratios, square footage, sanitation, emergency preparedness, and your written policies against the regulations.

  7. Open your doors

    Once your license is issued, you can legally begin caring for children under Pennsylvania rules. Maintain the staff-to-child ratios at all times: Infant (0-12 months) 1:4, Toddler (13-24 months) 1:5, Toddler (25-36 months) 1:6, Preschool (3-4 years) 1:10, Preschool (4-5 years) 1:12, School Age (5+ years) 1:15

    Keep certifications current and your handbook updated — these are the items most often cited at renewal.

  8. Enroll families

    Use your compliant enrollment paperwork to bring in families. A complete, Pennsylvania-specific parent handbook signals professionalism and keeps you inspection-ready from day one.

    Required enrollment and admission forms must be signed before a child's first day — have them ready before you advertise open spots.

What You Need to Apply in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania licensing requires these documents and forms at the initial application and inspection.

  • Child Enrollment Form
  • Health Assessment/Physical Exam
  • Emergency Contact and Authorization
  • Immunization Record
  • Medication Administration Consent
  • Parent Handbook Acknowledgment
  • Child Abuse History Clearance Receipt

Staff-to-child ratios you must maintain

Pennsylvania requires these maximum staff-to-child ratios, enforced by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services: Infant (0-12 months) 1:4, Toddler (13-24 months) 1:5, Toddler (25-36 months) 1:6, Preschool (3-4 years) 1:10, Preschool (4-5 years) 1:12, School Age (5+ years) 1:15.

Skip the 80-hour paperwork grind

Get your Pennsylvania licensing kit

The inspector asks for a parent handbook, staff policies, enrollment forms, and an operations manual — all Pennsylvania-specific. The TotReady Startup Bundle gives you every document you need to apply, ready to customize in about 30 minutes.

See the Startup Bundle →

One-time purchase · Pennsylvania-specific documents

Starting a Daycare in Pennsylvania: FAQs

Do I need a license to start a daycare in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires a Certificate of Compliance once out-of-home care is provided to four or more unrelated children 15 or younger, so up to three unrelated children may be cared for without certification; 4-6 unrelated children is a certified Family Child Care Home (55 Pa. Code § 3290.3, which applies to facilities caring for 'four, five or six children who are not related to the operator and who are 15 years of age or younger'), and 7 or more triggers the Group Child Care Home or Child Care Center chapters (55 Pa. Code § 3280.51 caps a Group Child Care Home at 12 unrelated children; 55 Pa. Code § 3270.3 applies to facilities serving 'seven or more children, 15 years of age or younger'). Exemptions include care provided by relatives, care provided during the hours of instruction in nonpublic schools and in private nursery schools and kindergartens, care furnished in places of worship during religious services, and care in a facility where the parent is present at all times (55 Pa. Code § 3270.3).
How much does it cost to get a daycare license in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania charges no application fee for child care certification; 55 Pa. Code § 3270.11 (centers) and § 3290.11 (family child care homes) require a Certificate of Compliance and a free Department (DHS) orientation but contain no fee provision, and the official Application for Certificate of Compliance form lists no filing fee (55 Pa. Code § 3270.11; § 3290.11). Renewal: Pennsylvania charges no renewal fee for child care certification; the Certificate of Compliance is issued for a period not to exceed 12 months and is renewed at no cost, as the regulations specify no fee (55 Pa. Code § 3270.11; § 3290.11).
Who issues daycare licenses in Pennsylvania?
Childcare licensing in Pennsylvania is handled by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services. You apply to this agency, pay the licensing fee, and schedule your inspection through them.
What training do I need before opening a daycare in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania does not set a fixed pre-service clock-hour total; the legal entity must participate in a DHS orientation within 12 months prior to issuance of the certificate of compliance and before commencing operation (55 Pa. Code § 3270.11), and each staff person must complete health and safety professional development (infectious disease, SIDS/safe sleep, medication administration, food-allergy response, building/hazard safety, shaken-baby prevention, emergency preparedness, hazardous materials, transportation, and pediatric first aid/CPR) within 90 days of hire (55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(f)).

Keep researching Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania Licensing Requirements

Full handbook sections, ratios, immunization rules, and penalties for Pennsylvania.

Read more →

How to Start a Daycare: Complete Guide

The cross-state playbook, from choosing a program type to opening day.

Read more →

License-Exemption Thresholds by State

Compare when a license is required across all 50 states.

Read more →

Licensing Fees by State

Application and renewal fee data for every state we track.

Read more →

Licensing rules change. The figures above are compiled from Pennsylvania statutes and agency materials and are provided for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services before applying. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal advice.