Pennsylvania State Requirements

Qualifications: Group Supervisor: Must be at least 18 years old and have a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field; or a Bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university, including 30 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field and 1 year of experience with children; or an Associate's degree in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field and 2 years of experience with children; or an Associate's degree from an accredited college or university, including 30 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or the human services field and 3 years of experience with children.

Provider/Child Ratio:

Age Range Ratio For Center-based Care
Age of Children Child: Staff Ratio/ Maximum Group Size
6 weeks - 9 months (4:1) 8
18 months (5:1) 10
27 months (6:1) 12
3 years - 5 years (10:1) 20
6 years - 7 years (12:1) 24
8 years - 9 years (12:1 or 15:1) 24/30
10 years and older (15:1) 30
Small Family Child Care Homes Pennsylvania State Ratios
Number of Children Allowed:

4-6

Maximum Number of Children to One Provider:

6

Provider's Own Children Counted:

Yes, if infants and/or toddlers

Max Number of Infants/Toddlers to One Provider:

3 toddlers if 2 infants
4 toddlers if 1 infant
5 toddlers if no infants

Large Family Child Care Homes Pennsylvania State Ratios
Number of Children Allowed:

7-12 (plus 3 school-age children)

Ratio of Children to One Provider:

See State Notes

Provider's Own Children Counted:

Yes

Important Contact Information:
Licensing Agency
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
Office of Child Development
Bureau of Certification Services
P.O. Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675
Phone: (717) 346-9320
Toll Free: (877) 4-PA-KIDS
(877-472-5437, within State)
Fax: (717) 346-9330

Child Care Subsidy Agency
Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
Office of Child Development
Room 521, Health and Welfare Building
P.O. Box 2675
Harrisburg, PA 17105-2675
Phone: (717) 346-9320
Toll Free: (877) 4-PA-KIDS
(877-472-5437, within State)
Fax: (717) 346-9330

Head Start - State Collaboration Office
Pennsylvania Department of Education
333 Market Street, 10th Floor
Harrisburg, PA, 17126-0333
Phone: (717) 787-7489
Fax: (717) 783-8230

Child Care Food Program Agency
Department of Education
Bureau of Budget and Fiscal Management
333 Market Street, 4th Floor
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17126-0333
Phone: (717) 787-7698
Fax: (717) 783-6566

State Child Care Resource & Referral Contact
Pennsylvania Child Care Association
2300 Vartan Way, Suite 103
Harrisburg, PA 17110
Phone: (717) 657-9000
Fax: (717) 657-0959

Office of Child Support Enforcement
Bureau of Child Support Enforcement
Department of Public Welfare
P.O.Box 8018
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania 17105-8018
Phone: (800) 932-0211
Fax: (717) 787-9706