How to Open a Day Care in Pennsylvania

Approximately 60 percent of women with children younger than age six need childcare assistance, according to the National Network for Child Care.

According to the National Network for Child Care, approximately half of mothers with preschool age children have careers outside of the home. Daycares provide an option for families who need assistance while taking on other responsibilities. Daycares primarily care for small children. However, some provide after-school care as well. The state of Pennsylvania has specific requirements for daycare owners, including adult-to-children ratios and licensing procedures, among other considerations.

Instructions

1. Meet the state of Pennsylvania minimum requirements. Prospective daycare owners must be at least 18 years of age. A year of childcare experience or associate degree in early childhood education is also required.

2. Complete a license application. A daycare center application can be requested by calling 877-472-5437. The Public Welfare Office and Child Development oversees daycare licensing in the state of Pennsylvania. The daycare owner and employees must pass criminal background checks in the state of Pennsylvania. The background check won’t just check criminal convictions in the state. It will search states across the nation and also check the national sexual offender registry.

3. Invest in daycare equipment. Daycares watching infants and small toddlers need to purchase cribs and bedding. Older children can have resting time with nap mats. Fire extinguishers, child gates and other safety equipment need to be installed at the center. Toys, craft supplies and other entertainment items should be purchased.

4. Secure a tax identification number, also called an employer identification number or EIN, with the IRS. Daycare centers use this number to report earnings to the government. A tax identification number can be requested online through the IRS website. After filling out a quick application, a number is usually provided instantly.

5. Secure the necessary funding. People who need assistance with funding should contact the Small Business Administration (SBA). The SBA can assist in finding local small business lenders.

Tips & Warnings

• Learn the state of Pennsylvania child-to-adult ratios. For example, a childcare owner can care for 10 children between the ages of three to five. If the ratio gets higher, the childcare owner must hire additional help to stay within Pennsylvania guidelines.

• A daycare owner who plans on caring for her own children must account for the children in the state required ratio. For example, if the owner has one child of her own, she can care for five more (if the state allows six total).

References

• Daycare.com: Pennsylvania Daycare Requirements
• Entrepreneur Magazine: Child Care Service
• Bureau of Labor Statistics: Child Care Workers
• National Network for Child Care: Child Care in the United States

Resources

• IRS: Apply for a Tax Identification Number
• Small Business Administration: Securing Funding