Licensed child care in Pennsylvania
How child care licensing works in Pennsylvania, where to verify a license and the cities we cover with the state's official data.
Who licenses child care
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL).
Pennsylvania publishes Keystone STARS quality levels and whether a provider accepts Child Care Works subsidies; both appear on our pages.
Find Child Care (COMPASS)License types in the data
| Type (as named by the state) | Programs |
|---|---|
| Child Care Center | 5,019 |
| Family Child Care Home | 965 |
| Other | 936 |
| Group Child Care Home | 589 |
Source: DHS Child Care Providers, data.pa.gov, data of October 29, 2026.
Pennsylvania cities
Help paying
Child Care Works, Pennsylvania DHS. See child care assistance by state and daycare costs.
Questions
Who licenses child care in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). Its official search is "Find Child Care (COMPASS)".
How many licensed child care programs are in Pennsylvania?
The state data we use (October 29, 2026) lists 5,955 centers and programs and 1,554 family child care homes with an active license.
Is there help paying for child care in Pennsylvania?
Yes. The main program is Child Care Works, Pennsylvania DHS. Eligibility depends on income, family size and work or school hours.