Pennsylvania Daycares
59
Facilities
79.3
Avg Score
2.1
Avg Violations
Grade Distribution
Data Freshness & Provenance
Inspection coverage
6 of 59 providers have inspection history
Active providers
59 providers appear active in the current roster
Last refreshed
April 3, 2026
Latest inspection
October 27, 2025
Provenance
Pennsylvania licensing data plus DaycareCheck safety scoring
State Snapshot
Pennsylvania currently has 59 tracked facilities. 6 have inspection history, 59 appear active, and 3 facilities hold an A or B grade. The latest inspection in the dataset is October 27, 2025.
Updated April 3, 2026 from state licensing records and DaycareCheck scoring.
Largest Cities in Pennsylvania
Cities in Pennsylvania
Childcare Regulations in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania regulates child care centers, group child care homes, and family child care homes through DHS and OCDEL. Providers must maintain a certificate of compliance and meet state standards covering supervision, staffing, training, facilities, and child safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios
| Age Group | Staff : Children |
|---|---|
| Infants (birth to 12 months) | 1:4 |
| Young toddlers (13-24 months) | 1:5 |
| Older toddlers (25-36 months) | 1:6 |
| Preschool (37 months to kindergarten entry) | 1:10 |
| Young school age (kindergarten to 3rd grade) | 1:12 |
| Older school age (4th grade to 15 years) | 1:15 |
Licensing Agency
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Child Development and Early Learning
Visit agency website →Inspection Frequency
Pennsylvania certified child care providers receive renewal inspections, complaint investigations, and other unannounced inspections as needed. Public inspection history and complaint findings are available through the state's COMPASS child care search.
Background Check Requirements
Pennsylvania requires criminal background checks, child abuse clearances, and fingerprint-based FBI checks for child care staff and other covered adults before they may work in regulated child care settings.
Average Monthly Cost
Varies by county and age group; no single official statewide average published
Center-based infant care
Know Your Rights
Families can search public provider records, certificate history, complaint investigations, and inspection findings through Pennsylvania's child care provider search. Keystone STARS participation is also published for providers that have a public rating.
Learn more about inspection reports →Frequently Asked Questions
How are daycares regulated in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania regulates child care centers, group child care homes, and family child care homes through DHS and OCDEL. Providers must maintain a certificate of compliance and meet state standards covering supervision, staffing, training, facilities, and child safety. The regulatory agency is the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), Office of Child Development and Early Learning. Pennsylvania requires criminal background checks, child abuse clearances, and fingerprint-based FBI checks for child care staff and other covered adults before they may work in regulated child care settings.
What are the staff-to-child ratios for daycares in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires specific staff-to-child ratios based on age group. Infants (birth to 12 months): 1:4. Young toddlers (13-24 months): 1:5. Older toddlers (25-36 months): 1:6. Preschool (37 months to kindergarten entry): 1:10. Young school age (kindergarten to 3rd grade): 1:12. Older school age (4th grade to 15 years): 1:15. These ratios apply to licensed childcare centers.
How often are daycares inspected in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania certified child care providers receive renewal inspections, complaint investigations, and other unannounced inspections as needed. Public inspection history and complaint findings are available through the state's COMPASS child care search.