Licensed Daycare in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Q: How many licensed daycare centers are in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?

Our directory lists 1,612 licensed childcare centers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, sourced from Pennsylvania Department of Human Services — Office of Child Development and Early Learning. All listings hold a current state license at indexing time; verify status directly via the state's lookup tool before enrollment.

Q: What's the average daycare cost in Philadelphia?

Statewide averages in Pennsylvania run roughly $1140/month for infants and $880/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.

Q: Are subsidies available for daycare in Philadelphia?

Pennsylvania families can apply for Child Care Works (CCW) (intake: (877) 472-5437). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide .

Every center listed below is sourced directly from the state's child care licensing registry — no paid placement, no editorial picks, no hidden referral fees.

1,612

Licensed Centers

Infant Spots

$1,140/mo

Pennsylvania avg infant

1:4

State infant ratio

Childcare costs in Philadelphia

ChildCare Aware reports the Pennsylvania average full-time cost at $1,140/month for infant care and $880/month for preschool. City-level prices in Philadelphia vary by ZIP code and program model — Head Start sites are free for eligible families, family daycare homes typically run 10-30% below center rates, and accredited centers run above the average.

The Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA ($5,000 max) reduce effective cost regardless of program. Pennsylvania families may also qualify for Child Care Works (CCW) (intake: (877) 472-5437).

Full Pennsylvania licensing & cost overview

Quick facts

State regulator: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services — Office of Child Development and Early Learning
Infant ratio: 1:4
Toddler ratio: 1:5
Preschool ratio: 1:10

ZIP codes covered

19143 96 19124 96 19139 95 19120 90 19151 70 19144 70 19140 65 19111 62

Program types in Philadelphia

Child Care Center

Statewide averages in Pennsylvania run roughly $1140/month for infants and $880/month for preschool. City-specific costs vary — large metros and dense neighborhoods trend higher than rural ZIPs. Use the cost estimator for a closer ballpark.

What staff-to-child ratios apply in Philadelphia daycares?

All licensed Pennsylvania centers must meet the state minimum: 1:4 for infants, 1:5 for toddlers, and 1:10 for preschool. NAEYC-accredited centers in Philadelphia typically operate below these ceilings.

Are subsidies available for daycare in Philadelphia?

Pennsylvania families can apply for Child Care Works (CCW) (intake: (877) 472-5437). Federal options like the Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit and a Dependent Care FSA stack on top. See our subsidies guide.

How do I verify a Philadelphia daycare's license?

Look up the provider directly in the official Pennsylvania Department of Human Services — Office of Child Development and Early Learning search. License status is the single most important credential to confirm before enrolling.