Licensed Daycare in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
1,612 licensed daycares in Philadelphia, verified weekly. Compare cost, age groups, and Head Start spots in your ZIP — directly from official Pennsylvania licensing records.
Philadelphia listings updated May 2026 from official Pennsylvania records.
Daycare in Philadelphia: what parents should know
Our directory lists 1,612 licensed childcare providers in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with Child Care Center the most common type (about 72% of local listings). Every provider here holds a current Pennsylvania license at indexing time, sourced from Pennsylvania Department of Human Services — Office of Child Development and Early Learning.
Licensed care in Philadelphia spans 8+ ZIP codes, so families can usually find an option within a short commute. About 18% are family child care homes — typically smaller group sizes and 10–30% cheaper than centers, a good fit for infants and toddlers.
Philadelphia childcare by the numbers
The Philadelphia childcare landscape
Philadelphia funds its own free preschool — paid for, unusually, by the city's beverage tax — on top of state and federal programs. Between PHLpreK, Pennsylvania's Pre-K Counts, and Head Start, a Philadelphia family can often assemble free, quality early education well before kindergarten.
PHLpreK and other free pre-K
PHLpreK is the city's free, locally funded pre-K program, run by the Office of Children and Families and financed by the Philadelphia Beverage Tax. It offers free seats at participating providers across the city for 3- and 4-year-olds. Layer on the state's Pre-K Counts and federal Head Start, and many Philadelphia children attend quality preschool at no cost.
Subsidies and quality (Keystone STARS)
Pennsylvania's child-care subsidy is Child Care Works (CCW), administered through the local Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC). When comparing providers, check the Keystone STARS rating — PA's quality system on a 1–4 STAR scale. STAR 3–4 providers clearly exceed the minimum, and PHLpreK prioritizes higher-rated providers.
How licensing works
Pennsylvania child-care certification runs through the Department of Human Services / OCDEL. Certification status and inspection history are public — confirm a provider is certified and in good standing before you enroll.
Neighborhoods and cost
Options are dense in Center City, Fishtown and Northern Liberties, South Philadelphia, University City and West Philly, the Northeast, and Mt. Airy/Chestnut Hill. Philadelphia is far more affordable than NYC — full-time infant care commonly runs $1,100–$1,500/month at centers, with licensed family child care homes lower.
When to start looking
PHLpreK and Pre-K Counts have enrollment windows that open ahead of the fall — check availability in spring. For infant care, tour early; the most sought-after Center City and University City centers carry waitlists.
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 overviewQuick 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
Program types in Philadelphia
All Philadelphia licensed centers
Page 10 of 78Each listing links to the full state-record details, including last inspection date if reported.
Frequently asked questions from families searching for child care here.
How many licensed daycare centers are in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania?
What's the average daycare cost in Philadelphia?
What staff-to-child ratios apply in Philadelphia daycares?
Are subsidies available for daycare in Philadelphia?
How do I verify a Philadelphia daycare's license?
Where to get childcare help in Philadelphia
Free, official channels for finding licensed care, checking quality ratings, and applying for assistance — no account or fee required.
Child Care Resource & Referral counselors help you find vetted local options.
1-800-424-2246 · Find yoursUnited Way's free, confidential line connects you to local childcare, food, and family aid.
Call 211 · 211.orgFree early education for income-eligible families and pregnant women.
Find a programChild Care Works (CCW) can cover most of your childcare cost by income.
(877) 472-5437 · How to applyCheck NAEYC accreditation and your state's quality-rating (QRIS) for any provider.
Find quality careConfirm any provider's current license & inspection record with Pennsylvania Department of Human Services — Office of Child Development and Early Learning.
Official license searchChildcare resources for Philadelphia
Data and guidance on this page draw on official government and nonprofit sources.
How this data is sourced. Listings for Philadelphia, Pennsylvania are compiled from official Pennsylvania Department of Human Services — Office of Child Development and Early Learning licensing records and cross-checked for current license status — not paid placements or user star-ratings. Rankings never depend on advertising. Provider details change often, so always confirm directly before enrolling. Reviewed by the DaycareHub editorial team · May 2026 · methodology
Search 1,612 Licensed Centers in Philadelphia
Free, no signup, verified directly with Pennsylvania Department of Human Services — Office of Child Development and Early Learning.