Daycare Cost in Pennsylvania 2025: Philadelphia, Pittsburgh & Statewide Guide

Pennsylvania offers a strong childcare infrastructure with robust subsidy programs and quality ratings, but costs vary dramatically between Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and the rest of the state. Here's what parents need to know about finding and affording quality care.

Quick Answer: Pennsylvania Daycare Costs in 2025

| Age Group | Philadelphia | Pittsburgh | Suburbs | Rural PA | |-----------|--------------|------------|---------|----------| | Infant | $350-450/week | $300-400/week | $280-380/week | $180-260/week | | Toddler | $300-400/week | $260-350/week | $240-330/week | $160-230/week | | Preschool | $260-350/week | $220-300/week | $200-280/week | $140-200/week |

Annual costs range from $7,280 to $23,400 depending on age and location.

Philadelphia Metro Costs

Philadelphia has the highest childcare costs in Pennsylvania.

Philadelphia Neighborhoods

| Neighborhood | Infant Weekly | Preschool Weekly | |--------------|---------------|------------------| | Center City | $420-520 | $350-430 | | Rittenhouse/Fitler Square | $450-550 | $380-460 | | Northern Liberties/Fishtown | $400-480 | $330-400 | | University City | $380-460 | $320-390 | | Manayunk/Roxborough | $350-430 | $290-360 | | South Philadelphia | $340-420 | $280-350 | | Germantown/Mt Airy | $320-400 | $270-340 |

Philadelphia Suburbs

| Area | Infant Weekly | Preschool Weekly | |------|---------------|------------------| | Main Line (Ardmore, Bryn Mawr) | $400-500 | $340-420 | | King of Prussia | $380-460 | $320-390 | | Media/Delaware County | $350-430 | $290-360 | | Bucks County (Doylestown) | $360-440 | $300-370 | | Montgomery County | $370-450 | $310-380 | | Chester County | $380-460 | $320-390 |

Pittsburgh Metro Costs

Pittsburgh offers more affordable options than Philadelphia while maintaining quality.

Pittsburgh Neighborhoods

| Neighborhood | Infant Weekly | Preschool Weekly | |--------------|---------------|------------------| | Shadyside/East Liberty | $360-440 | $300-370 | | Squirrel Hill | $350-430 | $290-360 | | Oakland | $320-400 | $270-340 | | Lawrenceville | $340-420 | $280-350 | | South Side | $300-380 | $250-320 | | North Side | $290-370 | $240-310 |

Pittsburgh Suburbs

| Area | Infant Weekly | Preschool Weekly | |------|---------------|------------------| | Mt. Lebanon | $340-420 | $280-350 | | Fox Chapel | $360-440 | $300-370 | | Cranberry Township | $320-400 | $270-340 | | Wexford/North Hills | $310-390 | $260-330 | | Monroeville | $290-370 | $240-310 | | Bethel Park | $300-380 | $250-320 |

Rest of Pennsylvania

Central PA

| City | Infant Weekly | Preschool Weekly | |------|---------------|------------------| | Harrisburg | $260-340 | $220-290 | | Lancaster | $280-360 | $230-300 | | York | $250-330 | $210-280 | | State College | $300-380 | $250-320 | | Reading | $240-320 | $200-270 | | Allentown/Lehigh Valley | $290-370 | $240-310 |

Northeastern PA

| City | Infant Weekly | Preschool Weekly | |------|---------------|------------------| | Scranton | $220-300 | $180-250 | | Wilkes-Barre | $210-290 | $170-240 | | Allentown | $280-360 | $230-300 | | Bethlehem | $290-370 | $240-310 | | Easton | $270-350 | $220-290 |

Western PA (outside Pittsburgh)

| City | Infant Weekly | Preschool Weekly | |------|---------------|------------------| | Erie | $220-300 | $180-250 | | Johnstown | $190-270 | $160-230 | | Altoona | $200-280 | $170-240 | | Butler | $240-320 | $200-270 |

Pennsylvania Childcare Regulations

Staff-to-Child Ratios

Pennsylvania has reasonable ratio requirements:

| Age Group | PA Requirement | NAEYC Standard | |-----------|----------------|----------------| | Infant (0-12 months) | 1:4 | 1:3 | | Young Toddler (1-2 years) | 1:5 | 1:4 | | Older Toddler (2-3 years) | 1:6 | 1:6 | | Preschool (3-4 years) | 1:10 | 1:10 | | Pre-K (4-5 years) | 1:10 | 1:10 | | School Age | 1:12 | 1:12 |

Licensing Types

| Type | Description | |------|-------------| | Licensed Center | Commercial facility, state inspected | | Group Child Care Home | 7-12 children in provider's home | | Family Child Care Home | Up to 6 children in provider's home | | Registered Family Provider | Relatives or limited care, less regulation |

Child Care Works: Pennsylvania's Subsidy Program

Pennsylvania's subsidy program is one of the more accessible in the nation.

Eligibility Requirements

| Requirement | Details | |-------------|---------| | Income Limit | 200% of Federal Poverty Level (~$62,000 for family of 4) | | Work Requirement | Working or in approved education/training | | Child Age | Birth to 13 years | | Residency | Pennsylvania resident |

What Child Care Works Covers

The program pays providers directly based on regional rates:

| Region | Infant Max | Toddler Max | Preschool Max | |--------|------------|-------------|---------------| | Philadelphia | Up to $320/week | Up to $280/week | Up to $250/week | | Pittsburgh | Up to $280/week | Up to $250/week | Up to $220/week | | Suburban | Up to $260/week | Up to $230/week | Up to $200/week | | Rural | Up to $220/week | Up to $190/week | Up to $170/week |

Copayment Structure

| Income Level | Weekly Copay | |--------------|--------------| | Under 100% FPL | $0-5 | | 100-150% FPL | $5-25 | | 150-200% FPL | $25-60 |

Applying for Child Care Works

1. Contact ELRC: Find your regional Early Learning Resource Center
2. Gather documents: Income verification, work schedules, child info
3. Apply: Online, by phone, or in-person
4. Processing: Typically 2-4 weeks
5. No waitlist: Currently no waitlist in most areas

Find Your ELRC: Visit PA Keys

Keystone STARS: Quality Rating System

Pennsylvania's Keystone STARS helps parents identify quality programs.

Rating Levels

| Level | Meaning | Benefits | |-------|---------|----------| | STAR 1 | Meets licensing requirements | Base level quality | | STAR 2 | Staff professional development, learning environment | Improved quality | | STAR 3 | Curriculum implementation, family partnerships | Good quality | | STAR 4 | Highest quality standards, accreditation-like | Excellent quality |

Why STARS Matter

• Higher subsidy rates: STAR 3-4 programs receive higher payments
• Better outcomes: Research shows STAR 4 programs improve school readiness
• Staff quality: Higher STAR programs have better-trained teachers
• Environment: Rated programs have stronger learning environments

Find STAR-rated programs: PA Keys Provider Search

Pre-K Counts: Free Preschool in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania's Pre-K Counts program provides free, high-quality preschool.

Eligibility

| Factor | Requirement | |--------|-------------| | Age | 3-4 years old | | Income | 300% of Federal Poverty Level (~$93,000 for family of 4) | | Priority | Children with risk factors, lower income | | Location | Must be near participating provider |

Program Details

| Feature | Details | |---------|---------| | Cost | FREE | | Hours | 2.5 hours/day minimum (many offer full-day) | | Calendar | School year (some offer summer) | | Class Size | Maximum 20 children | | Teachers | Certified early childhood teachers |

Where to Find Pre-K Counts

• Public schools
• Licensed childcare centers
• Head Start programs
• Approved community providers

Apply: Contact your local school district or ELRC

Head Start in Pennsylvania

Comprehensive free services for lower-income families.

Program Types

| Program | Ages | Services | |---------|------|----------| | Early Head Start | Birth-3 | Full care + family support | | Head Start | 3-5 | Preschool + comprehensive services |

Income Limit

100% of Federal Poverty Level (about $31,000 for family of 4), with 10% of slots for over-income and special needs.

What's Included

• Free childcare/preschool
• Health screenings and referrals
• Dental care
• Nutrition (meals provided)
• Family support services
• Disability services

Find PA Head Start: Contact your county's Community Action Agency

Cost-Saving Strategies

1. Tax Benefits

Dependent Care FSA:

• Contribute up to $5,000 pre-tax
• Save 22-35% on childcare costs
• Works for daycare, camps, before/after care

Child and Dependent Care Credit:

• Federal: 20-35% of up to $3,000 (one child)
• Pennsylvania has no state income tax credit for childcare

2. Layer Multiple Programs

Many families combine programs for maximum savings:

| Age | Strategy | |-----|----------| | Infant-2 | Child Care Works subsidy at STAR 4 center | | 3 years | Pre-K Counts (free) + Child Care Works for wrap-around | | 4 years | Pre-K Counts or school Pre-K + wrap-around care |

3. Alternative Arrangements

| Option | Potential Savings | |--------|-------------------| | Family Child Care Home | 20-30% less than centers | | License-exempt relative | Often free or reduced | | Nanny share | 30-40% savings per family | | Part-time schedule | 40-50% reduction | | Employer benefits | $1,000-5,000/year |

4. Employer Programs

Major PA employers with childcare benefits:

• Universities (Penn, Pitt, Temple, PSU)
• Healthcare systems (UPMC, Jefferson, Penn Medicine)
• Large corporations (Comcast, CIGNA, Aramark)

Ask about:

• On-site childcare
• Backup care programs
• Dependent Care FSA
• Childcare subsidies

Choosing Quality Care in Pennsylvania

What to Look For

| Factor | What to Check | |--------|---------------| | STAR rating | STAR 3 or 4 preferred | | Accreditation | NAEYC, NECPA, etc. | | Staff stability | Low turnover is good | | Teacher credentials | CDA or degree preferred | | Curriculum | Research-based approach | | Parent reviews | Online and ask for references |

Verify Licensing

Check any provider through Pennsylvania's system:

• PA DHS Provider Search
• View inspection reports
• Check complaint history
• Verify current license status

Regional Considerations

Philadelphia Families

• Longest waitlists: Start searching 6+ months early
• Best Pre-K access: Philadelphia Pre-K (PHLpreK) expanding
• Consider: Northern neighborhoods for better value
• Transit: Some centers offer SEPTA accessibility

Pittsburgh Families

• More affordable: 20-30% less than Philadelphia
• Strong Pre-K: Allegheny County Pre-K programs
• Quality: Many STAR 4 programs available
• Consider: East End for walkability, suburbs for space

Central PA Families

• Most affordable: Often 40-50% less than cities
• Limited options: Fewer choices in rural areas
• Family child care: More common, quality varies
• Pre-K access: May be limited in small towns

Frequently Asked Questions

How do Philadelphia daycare costs compare to other major cities?

Philadelphia ranks in the top 15 most expensive U.S. cities for childcare. It's less expensive than New York, Boston, and San Francisco, but higher than most Midwest and Southern cities. Infant care averages $20,000-25,000 annually in the city proper. The suburbs are slightly more affordable.

Is there a waitlist for Child Care Works?

Currently, there's no waitlist for Child Care Works in most Pennsylvania counties. Eligible families can typically begin receiving benefits within 2-4 weeks of approval. This is a significant advantage over states with long subsidy waitlists. Apply as soon as you're eligible.

What's the difference between Pre-K Counts and Head Start?

Pre-K Counts is state-funded with higher income limits (300% FPL) and focuses on preschool education. Head Start is federally funded with lower income limits (100% FPL) but includes comprehensive services like health, dental, and family support. Both are free and high-quality. Apply to both to maximize your chances.

Should I choose a STAR 2 or wait for a STAR 4 opening?

A STAR 2 program that fits your family may be better than waiting indefinitely for STAR 4. STAR 2 programs still exceed basic licensing and demonstrate commitment to improvement. However, if you have choices, STAR 3-4 programs show measurably better outcomes. Trust your observations during visits.

How do I find family child care homes in Pennsylvania?

Search the Find Child Care PA database and filter for family child care. Also contact your local ELRC for referrals. Ask neighbors and parent groups for recommendations. Family child care can offer excellent care at 20-30% lower cost, but quality varies—visit carefully.

Can grandparents be paid through Child Care Works?

Yes, with limitations. Relatives can be "relative caregivers" and receive reduced payments through Child Care Works. They must complete background checks and basic training. Payments are lower than licensed providers but can help grandparents who provide regular care.

What if I can't afford the copay for Child Care Works?

Child Care Works copays are designed to be affordable based on income. If the copay creates genuine hardship, discuss with your ELRC caseworker. Some circumstances may allow for reduced copays. Also explore Pre-K Counts or Head Start for free options for 3-4 year olds.

How early should I start looking for infant care?

In Philadelphia and Pittsburgh, start looking 4-6 months before you need care, ideally while pregnant. Popular centers and family child care homes with good reputations fill quickly. Add your name to multiple waitlists. Suburban and rural areas typically have shorter waits.

Is part-time childcare available in Pennsylvania?

Yes, many centers offer 2-3 day or half-day schedules, especially for preschool age. Part-time rates are typically 60-70% of full-time (not proportional to days). Family child care homes often have more flexibility. Part-time is more available for preschoolers than infants.

What happens when my child ages out of Pre-K Counts?

When your child finishes Pre-K Counts and enters kindergarten, you'll need before/after school care. Many schools offer programs, or you can use licensed centers or family child care. Child Care Works covers school-age care for eligible families. Summer care will also be needed.

The Bottom Line

Pennsylvania offers strong support for working families through Child Care Works subsidies, Keystone STARS quality ratings, and free Pre-K Counts preschool. Costs vary dramatically—from $7,000/year in rural areas to over $23,000/year in Philadelphia—but assistance is available for most income levels.

Key strategies:

• Apply for Child Care Works if income under ~$62,000 (no waitlist!)
• Target Pre-K Counts at age 3-4 for free preschool
• Choose STAR 3-4 programs for quality assurance
• Consider family child care for 20-30% savings
• Layer programs to minimize out-of-pocket costs
• Start early in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh (waitlists)

With planning and knowledge of available resources, Pennsylvania families can find quality, affordable childcare. Start exploring your options early and apply for all programs you might qualify for.