How to Start a Daycare in Pennsylvania (2025)
From background clearances to your first family — a complete roadmap for opening a licensed child care program in Pennsylvania under DHS Bureau of Certification Services.
Overview: Starting a Daycare in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania licenses three types of child care programs — Family Child Care Homes (1–3 children), Group Child Care Homes (4–6), and Child Care Centers (7+). All are regulated by the PA Department of Human Services (DHS) under 55 Pa. Code and administered by regional Bureau of Certification Services offices. The licensing fee is $0 for all types, making clearances your primary upfront cost.
Once licensed, you can enroll in Child Care Works (CCW) through your county CCIS agency to serve subsidized families, and enroll in Keystone STARS to access quality improvement grants and higher reimbursement rates.
7-Phase Startup Roadmap
- Phase 1
Choose Your License Type & Business Structure
- Decide: Family Child Care Home (1–3), Group Child Care Home (4–6), or Child Care Center (7+)
- Register your business with the PA Department of State (sole proprietor, LLC, or nonprofit)
- Obtain an EIN from the IRS (free at irs.gov)
- Check local zoning — home-based providers need municipality approval
- Phase 2
Complete Background Clearances
- PA State Police Criminal History (PATCH) — ~$22, submit at epatch.state.pa.us
- FBI Criminal History (Cogent) — ~$23.85, schedule fingerprinting at pa.cogentid.com
- PA Child Abuse History Clearance (PACHCA) — ~$13 (paid staff) at compass.state.pa.us/cwis
- All household adults (home-based) and all employees (centers) must complete all three
- Phase 3
Prepare Your Space
- Centers: Obtain certificate of occupancy from local building and fire authority
- Minimum indoor space: 35 sq ft per child (centers, 55 Pa. Code § 3270.71)
- Minimum outdoor space: 75 sq ft per child using the space simultaneously
- Home-based: Ensure separate rest area, safe fencing for outdoor play, and childproofed environment
- Phase 4
Complete Required Pre-Service Training
- Director credential or qualifying degree/experience (centers only)
- Pre-service child care orientation (available free through PA Keys at pakeys.org)
- Pediatric first aid and CPR certification for at least one adult on-site at all times
- Review 55 Pa. Code regulations for your license type thoroughly before inspection
- Phase 5
Submit DHS Application via PA e2Go
- Create account at compass.state.pa.us and complete DHS-741 application online
- Upload clearances, training documentation, floor plan (centers), and emergency procedures
- Your regional DHS office reviews and schedules a pre-licensure inspection (allow 30–60 days)
- Phase 6
Pass Inspection & Receive Provisional License
- Inspector reviews space, staff files, policies, health/safety equipment, and emergency plans
- Resolve any citations and submit Plan of Correction within the required timeframe
- Provisional license issued for 6 months; regular 2-year license follows after satisfactory follow-up
- Phase 7
Enroll in CCW & Keystone STARS
- Contact your county CCIS agency to sign a CCW provider agreement (find yours at dhs.pa.gov or call 1-800-222-2117)
- Enroll in Keystone STARS through PA Keys — you start at STAR 1 automatically upon enrollment
- Begin Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) with your STARS coach to work toward STAR 2 and STAR 3
- STAR 3+ unlocks higher CCW reimbursement rates and Pre-K Counts eligibility
Free Pennsylvania Daycare Startup Checklist
Download our 7-phase checklist covering clearances, e2Go application, CCW enrollment, and Keystone STARS — everything a new PA provider needs.
Startup Cost Estimates by License Type
Family Child Care Home
$100 – $500
Clearances + first aid/CPR + minor home modifications. No facility costs.
Group Child Care Home
$300 – $2,000
Clearances + staff training + zoning + potential home upgrades. May need second caregiver when 5–6 children present.
Child Care Center
$5,000 – $50,000+
Facility lease/build-out, certificate of occupancy, multiple staff clearances, furniture/equipment, insurance, and business registration.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Starting before receiving your provisional license: Operating unlicensed — even for a single day — can result in cease-and-desist orders and permanent disqualification from licensure.
Overlooking the household adult clearance requirement: In home-based programs, all adults living in the home must complete all three clearances, not just the provider.
Not checking zoning first: Some Pennsylvania municipalities prohibit commercial childcare activity in residential zones. Contact your local zoning office before investing in space improvements.
Skipping CCIS enrollment: Many new providers wait months to sign a CCW agreement, losing revenue from subsidized families who need immediate care.
Misunderstanding Group Child Care Home ratios: When 5 or more children under age 6 are present, a second qualified adult caregiver is required (55 Pa. Code § 3280.51).
Official Pennsylvania Resources
Related Pennsylvania Provider Guides
Pennsylvania Startup Bundle — Everything in One Place
Get the complete Pennsylvania provider startup toolkit: phased checklist, clearance tracker, space measurement guide, CCIS enrollment letter template, and Keystone STARS onboarding walkthrough.
Get the Full Guide — $4.99Free: Pennsylvania Daycare Startup Checklist
Get our 7-phase startup checklist delivered to your inbox — clearances, e2Go, CCW enrollment, and Keystone STARS in one organized doc.
This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal or regulatory advice. Pennsylvania child care regulations are subject to change. Always verify current requirements with the PA Department of Human Services Bureau of Certification Services before making business decisions. CloverMap is not affiliated with DHS or any Pennsylvania state agency.