A daycare license in Pennsylvania is issued by Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), Bureau of Certification Services, which administers childcare licensing statewide. Providers must keep 7 documents on file for staff and children and meet 6 staff-to-child ratios by age group. Renewal: Annual certification renewal required. The checklist below covers what belongs in each file and what has to stay current.
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Informational only — not legal advice, and not a statement of what Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), Bureau of Certification Services requires today. GetDocsSigned is not affiliated with or endorsed by Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), Bureau of Certification Services. Requirements change; confirm with your licensing representative before relying on anything on this page.
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See a ready-made enrollment packet →Pennsylvania childcare licensing is administered by the Bureau of Certification Services within the Department of Human Services. Any facility serving 7 or more children must be certified. PA Act 90 (2025) updated certification regulations and expanded the Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit for families using licensed facilities.
| Age Group | Staff : Children | Max Group Size |
|---|---|---|
| Infants (under 12 months) | 1:4 | 8 |
| Young toddlers (12–24 months) | 1:5 | 10 |
| Older toddlers (2 years) | 1:6 | 12 |
| Preschool | 1:10 | 20 |
| Young school-age | 1:12 | 24 |
| Older school-age | 1:15 | 30 |
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified September 2026 · Source: Pennsylvania DHS Child Care
Enrollment Form
Complete enrollment with child information and emergency contacts.
Immunization Records
Current immunization records per Pennsylvania immunization schedule required on file.
Health Assessment
Physician-signed health assessment required within 60 days of enrollment.
Emergency Contact Information
Names and phone numbers of emergency contacts and authorized pickup persons.
Emergency Medical Authorization
Parental consent for emergency medical care.
Allergy and Dietary Information
Documentation of any food allergies or special dietary needs.
Medication AuthorizationConditional
Written parental authorization for any medication to be administered.
GetDocsSigned tracks every one of these per file and flags what’s missing or expiring.
Start freeSummary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified September 2026 · Source: Pennsylvania DHS Child Care
Exemption Policy
Medical and religious exemptions are permitted. Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Health for current exemption procedures.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified September 2026 · Source: Pennsylvania DHS Child Care
Minimum Age
18 years
Background Check
Pennsylvania State Police criminal history check, PA Child Abuse History Clearance and FBI fingerprint clearance required for all staff and volunteers under the Child Protective Services Law. Clearances are renewed every 60 months.
Lead Teacher Education
Associate's degree in ECE or Child Development, or 30 ECE credits required for lead group supervisor positions.
Assistant Education
High school diploma or GED required. Must obtain Child Abuse History Clearance and FBI clearance before working with children.
CPR / First Aid
Pediatric CPR and First Aid certification required. At least one certified staff member on-site at all times.
Continuing Education
At least 12 clock hours of training each year (§3270.31(e)).
Director Qualifications
Director must hold a bachelor's degree in ECE or related field plus 2 years of supervisory experience, per PA regulations.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified September 2026 · Source: Pennsylvania DHS Child Care
Inspection Frequency
At least one unannounced onsite inspection each year (§3270.11(g)). An announced inspection is made before the initial certificate of compliance is issued (§3270.24(d)).
License Renewal
Annual certification renewal required.
Application Process
Contact DHS Bureau of Certification Services to begin the application process.
Licensing Fee
Varies by capacity. Contact DHS for current fee schedule.
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified September 2026 · Source: Pennsylvania DHS Child Care
Summary of the requirement as published — not the governing text. Verified September 2026 · Source: Pennsylvania DHS Child Care
These are the pages this summary was checked against. The agency's published rules govern; where this page and the agency differ, the agency is right.
Ratios, required documents, and inspection schedules vary from state to state. If you operate near a border, run a second location, or are deciding where to open, start with the states in the Mid-Atlantic.
Daycare Enrollment Forms Checklist: Every Document You Need Per Child
The complete list of documents required per child, with state-specific variations.
How to Prepare for a Daycare Licensing Inspection
Step-by-step checklist covering child files, staff records, ratios, and facility safety.
Staff-to-Child Ratios by State: The Complete Comparison
Compare infant, toddler, and preschool ratio requirements across all 50 states.
Daycare Immunization Requirements by State
Required vaccines and exemption policies — medical only, religious, or philosophical.
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