Child Care and Early Education

Welcome to the Child Care and Early Education section of the DPW Web site. Increasing evidence has emerged to show that children's learning opportunities in the years before kindergarten have an important effect on their performance in school and ultimately their ability to contribute to society as adults. Through the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Pennsylvania is helping our children, families, teachers and communities reach their promise. If you are a child care provider, you may access information at our Early Learning section.

If you are looking for help to pay child care expenses or if you need help figuring out how to care for and education your young child, Child Care Works can help. For more information, call the Child Care Works helpline at 1-877-4-PA-KIDS. You can also find help and information at your local Child Care Information Services office.

You can also apply for and renew your benefits from the comfort of your home using COMPASS, the online resource for cash assistance, Food Stamps, help with child care, health care coverage, home heating assistance (LIHEAP), school meals, SelectPlan for Women and long-term living services.

You can also find child care near your home or workplace using the Online Child Care Provider Search.

If your child is age one to five and has disabilities or developmental delays our Early Intervention services can provide access to as many opportunities as possible to help them reach their promise. Parents interested in early intervention services may contact the CONNECT Helpline at 1-800-692-7288.

We want to make sure that early childhood programs in Pennsylvania have the tools to continually improve service to children and families. Through the Keystone STARS program and the STARS rating system, parents are assured of the quality programs for their children. Watch and listen to Governor Rendell discuss Keystone STARS. You can search for a Keystone STARS program in your area.

We share the concern of parents that child care centers in Pennsylvania meet basic health and safety standards. Through our Certification Services Bureau, we inspect and certify that family and group child care homes meet these standards. You can find information on certification status of and complaints lodged against child care centers in your area through regional OCDEL offices.

Read the OCDEL Annual Report 2006-2007 (PDF download) and the PA Pre-K Counts 2007-2008 Year End Report (PDF). If you are having difficulty finding the information you need, please Contact DPW

For Parents

• Online Child Care Provider Search
• Four Steps to Selecting a Child Care Provider
• Frequently Asked Questions about Child Care
• Child Care Information Services Directory
• Nurse-Family Partnership Program
• Human Services Provider Online Directory
• Head Start General Information
• Parent Online Survey
• Other Resources for Parents
• Keystone STARS Information for Parents
• Find a Keystone STARS early care program
• Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts
• Publications for Parents
• Special Kids Network

Other Resources

Early Intervention Services (PDF Download)

General Information

What's New: Report of the Build Taskforce on Quality in Regulations Exempt Care Settings (PDF download)

• Child Care and Development Fund Plan 2007-09
• Integrated Children's Services Plan
• Keystone STARS Child Care Quality Initiative
• Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards
• Children's Trust Fund
• Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts

New Child Care Regulations

New FBI Clearance Required