Find an Early Childhood Education Provider
A Family Guide: Steps to Selecting a Child Care Program and a Quality Checklist
Child Care | serves children ages 0-15
Child care is available in a variety of settings, including family child care homes, group child care homes, and child care centers. There are important things to keep in mind when deciding which child care setting is best for your family.
Family Child Care Homes: A family child care home is a facility in which four, five, or six children unrelated to the operator receive child care services. A family child care home must be located in a home and must have a certificate of compliance (license) from DHS in order to operate.
Group Child Care Homes: A group child care home is a facility in which seven to twelve children unrelated to the operator receive child care services. A group child care home must have a certificate of compliance (license) from DHS in order to operate.
Child Care Centers: A child care center is a facility in which seven or more children unrelated to the operator receive child care services. A child day care center must have a certificate of compliance (license) from DHS in order to operate.
Search for ECE Providers in your area: Online ECE Provider Search
For help navigating the COMPASS website, please CLICK HERE.
Head Start/Early Head Start | serves children ages 0-5
Head Start programs promote the school readiness of infants, toddlers, and preschool-aged children from low-income families. Services are provided in a variety of settings including centers, family child care, and children’s own home. Head Start programs also engage parents or other key family members in positive relationships, with a focus on family wellbeing. Parents participate in leadership roles, including having a say in program operations.
Head Start programs are available at no cost to children ages birth to 5 from low-income families. Programs may provide transportation to the centers so enrolled children can participate regularly. Families and children experiencing homelessness, and children in the foster care system are also eligible. Additionally, Head Start services are available to children with disabilities and other special needs.
Find a Head Start or Early Head Start near you: Head Start Locator
PA Pre-K Counts | serves children ages 3-4
PA Pre-K Counts provides funding for three- and four-year olds to attend a high-quality, half or full-day pre-kindergarten in schools, child care centers, and preschools. It also provides funding for children to access Head Start services and is designed to support children who are at risk of school failure because of income, language (for example, English is not the child's first language), or special needs issues.
Find a PA Pre K Counts program near you: PA Pre K Counts Programs
Early Intervention | serves children ages 0-5
Pennsylvania's Early Intervention program, which serves children with developmental delays or disabilities ages birth to five, provides individualized support and assistance for both child and family.
Visit our RESOURCES page for more information on Early Intervention options.
