Who In Pennsylvania Has To Authorize Child Care?

Pennsylvania requires all family child care homes to earn a Certificate of Compliance as a certified or licensed child care provider. The process includes annual unannounced inspections and licensing services for three types of child care operations. The Bureau of Certification ensures compliance with applicable Pennsylvania Codes for operating licensed child care.

To start and operate a daycare business in Pennsylvania, you need a childcare license if you intend to care for three or more unrelated children. Pennsylvania is ranked 3rd in states with child care deserts, offering significant opportunities to start a family child care business in the “State of Independence”. Since 2016, the Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) has been certifying all family child care homes in the Commonwealth not previously subject to the certification process.

To operate a family child care facility, you need the Child Care Facility License issued by Philadelphia’s Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I). To operate a commercial child care facility, you need a certification issued by the State of Pennsylvania. Child care and early learning providers operating a program for four or more unrelated children must be certified by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS).

There are three types of child care programs regulated by DHS: Group Child Care, which serves seven or more children unrelated to the child care operator; Center-Based Child Care facilities, which require staff older than 18 and trained in CPR, fire safety, and first aid; and three types of child care facilities must have a certificate of compliance or certificate of registration from the Department of Human Services.

How much does it cost to start a daycare in PA?

Starting a home-based daycare costs between $10, 000 and $50, 000, while daycare center franchises can range from $59, 000 to $3 million. Non-franchise centers’ costs depend on the building and can range from $95, 000 to $95, 000. Commercial spaces require lease or loan payments, which can be expensive depending on real estate costs. However, larger commercial spaces can increase income by caring for more children. Lease costs for commercial spaces range from 60 cents to $2. 50 a square foot.

What certifications do I need to work at a daycare in PA?

Starting a daycare business in Pennsylvania requires a primary staff member to have a high school diploma, 15 credit hours in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education, or the human services field, and one year of experience handling children. Pennsylvania offers operation licenses for three types of childcare programs: child care centers, group child care homes, and family child care homes.

A childcare license is required to start and operate a daycare business in Pennsylvania if you intend to care for three or more unrelated children. If you provide care to your children or a relative’s children, you are legally exempt from state regulations.

How much does daycare cost per month in PA?

The mean monthly expenditure for infant care is $880, while the mean monthly expenditure for young toddler care is $844. The average monthly cost for care of an older toddler is $803, while the average cost for preschool-age care is $770.

What is the babysitting law in PA?

Pennsylvania does not have a specific minimum age for babysitting, and the commonwealth does not dictate the age a child can be left alone. However, babysitting is becoming more common in the U. S., with 59 of children aged 5 and younger and not yet enrolled in kindergarten in at least one nonparental care arrangement each week. Some states enforce minimum age requirements for children who wish to legally babysit as informal employment. It is important to research state laws regarding babysitting before considering asking a neighbor or friend’s child to watch your children.

How many kids can be in one bedroom in PA?

The text stipulates that each shared bedroom must have a minimum of 60 square feet of floor space per child, inclusive of furniture, and a maximum of four children may occupy a bedroom. Furthermore, the ceiling height must be a minimum of 7. 5 feet.

How many kids can you have in a home daycare in Pennsylvania?

The Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare Bureau of Child Day Care has established guidelines for child care providers. The age range for center-based care is 8-9 years, while for small family child care homes, the number of children allowed is 4-6. The worker must be at least 18 years old and have a Bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education, or human services field. The number of children allowed in large family child care homes is 7-12 (plus 3 school-age children).

The provider’s own children are counted as part of the child care program. The provider’s contact information is available at the Department of Public Welfare Bureau of Child Day Care Office of Children, Youth and Families Health and Welfare Building.

At what age does a child need their own room legally in PA?

The legal framework in Pennsylvania does not stipulate the age at which children are entitled to private rooms.

How much is in home daycare in PA?

As of September 2024, the average starting rate for in-home child care in Pittsburgh, PA is $17. 60 per hour, with a weekly cost of $704 for 40-hour work and a monthly cost of approximately $2, 288 for 130 hours of work. This rate is based on data from service providers listed on Care. com. The average starting rate for babysitters, overnight sitters, mother’s helpers, nannies, night nannies, newborn nannies, live-in nannies, daycares, family daycares, preschools, child care centers, after school child care, drop-in child care, and special needs child care are all available.

What do you need to be a daycare director in PA?

A director must have a bachelor’s degree in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education, or human services, with 1 year of experience with children. They can also have a bachelor’s degree with 30 credit hours, 2 years of experience with children, or an associate’s degree with 3 years of experience with children. The minimum required qualifications are all accredited and valid for the position.

Do you need a license for a daycare in PA?

A child care center is a facility where seven or more children are not related to the operator and must have a certificate of compliance from the Department of Human Services (DHS) to legally operate. A group child care home has seven to 12 children of various ages or seven to 15 children from 4th grade through 15 years of age who are not related to the operator. A family child care home has four, five, or six children who are not related to the caregiver.

To operate a child care facility, prospective providers should contact the Department of Human Services Regional Child Development Office, which regulates child care facilities in specific Pennsylvania counties. Staff in these offices conduct orientation sessions for prospective providers, and attendance is required before receiving a certificate of compliance or registration.

From September 30, 2016, all prospective child care operators must provide verification that they have completed 10 health and safety training topics as prescribed by the Federal Government. To obtain face-to-face training for the tenth topic, prospective providers must contact the American Red Cross, the ELRC, or another training organization. Information for the ELRC can be found at pakeys. org.

How many kids can you babysit in PA without a license?

In the state of Pennsylvania, all childcare facilities that provide care for three or more children who are not related to the operator are required to obtain a childcare license, with only a few exceptions. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) bears the responsibility of regulating child care licensing at the state level.