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 |
| 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