Childcare Subsidies in Pennsylvania
Financial assistance programs to help Pennsylvania families pay for daycare and childcare.
Pennsylvania Child Care Works
ELRC (Early Learning Resource Centers) administer regionally. Pre-K Counts and Head Start Supplemental.
Am I Eligible?
How to Apply for Child Care Assistance in Pennsylvania
Application Process
Apply for Pennsylvania's Child Care Works (CCW) through your regional Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC). Pennsylvania has 5 ELRC regions that administer child care subsidies locally. Apply online at compass.state.pa.us (the COMPASS benefits portal) or contact your ELRC directly. Documents needed include proof of income, PA residency, Social Security numbers, child birth certificates, and verification of work or education activity (at least 20 hours/week). Processing takes 2-4 weeks through COMPASS, slightly longer through direct ELRC application.
Co-Pay Structure
Pennsylvania's co-pay is based on family income and size. The income ceiling is $60,312 for a family of four. Families at the lowest income levels pay $0. The sliding scale increases moderately; a family earning $40,000 might pay $50-$80/week. Near the ceiling, co-pays reach $100-$130/week. Pennsylvania assesses co-pays per child but with a reduced rate for siblings. The state recently adjusted its co-pay table to reduce the burden on families near the middle of the income range.
Waitlist Reality
Pennsylvania has intermittently had waitlists for Child Care Works, though the state has invested heavily in recent years to reduce them. As of 2025, most ELRC regions report no waitlist or very short waits (1-2 months). Philadelphia and the Pittsburgh region have the most demand. If a waitlist exists in your ELRC region, priority goes to TANF families, families transitioning off cash assistance, and children in protective services.
Additional Programs in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts provides free pre-K for 3 and 4-year-olds from families at or below 300% FPL, a very generous threshold. Head Start Supplemental Assistance (HSSA) extends Head Start hours to full-day, full-year. Head Start and Early Head Start are widely available. Keystone STARS (the state QRIS) rates providers on a 1-4 star scale. Pennsylvania also offers a state Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit. The state's Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) coordinates all early childhood programs.
Tips for Pennsylvania Parents
Pre-K Counts has a very generous income limit (300% FPL, roughly $93,000 for a family of four), so check eligibility even if you think your income is too high. Apply through COMPASS to handle CCW, SNAP, and Medicaid in one application. Contact your ELRC (find yours at raiseyourstar.org) for local provider referrals and help with the application. Choose a Keystone STARS 3 or 4 provider for the highest quality. If you need full-day care for a 4-year-old, look for a provider that combines Pre-K Counts with CCW for seamless coverage.
Federal Programs Available Everywhere
Child & Dependent Care Tax Credit
Claim 20-35% of childcare expenses on your federal taxes.
Dependent Care FSA (DCFSA)
Employer-sponsored pre-tax account for childcare expenses. Reduces taxable income.
Head Start / Early Head Start
Free federally funded program for children from low-income families. Head Start: ages 3-5. Early Head Start: birth to 3.
Eligibility: At or below federal poverty level (family of 4: ~$31,200 in 2024).
See Daycare Costs in Pennsylvania
Compare childcare prices across 67 counties in Pennsylvania. Center-based infant care averages N/A/year.
View Pennsylvania daycare costs →