Home Daycare Permit Requirements in Philadelphia, PA

Complete permit and license guide for starting a home daycare in Philadelphia, Philadelphia County, Pennsylvania.

Updated 2026-03-13 6 stops $500–$1,200 est. 10-20 weeks
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Not legal advice. Requirements may change — always verify with your local government authority before applying. This guide was compiled from public and official sources (last updated ) and has not yet been independently source-verified — confirm each requirement before acting on it.

Federal — start here

1 stop

  1. EIN (Employer Identification Number)

    Required if you have employees or operate as an LLC/corporation. Free from the IRS.

    Official government source

    FreeImmediate (online)

State of Pennsylvania

3 stops

  1. PA DHS Certificate of Registration - Family Child Care Home

    Required by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) for family child care homes caring for 4-6 unrelated children. The process includes a home inspection, criminal background checks (FBI, PA State Police), child abuse history clearances, CPR/First Aid training, and mandatory pre-service training hours.

    Official government source

    Free (state registration)8-16 weeks

  2. PA Child Abuse History Clearance

    Required for all adults residing in or working at the family daycare home. Issued by the PA Department of Human Services. Includes PA State Police Criminal Background Check and FBI fingerprinting for those without PA residency of 10+ years.

    Official government source

    $10-$30/person2-6 weeks

  3. PA Business Entity Registration

    Required by the Pennsylvania Department of State for LLCs and corporations. Many home daycare operators register as sole proprietors or file a fictitious name (DBA) if operating under a business name.

    Official government source

    $70-$125 (one-time filing)1-2 weeks

City of Philadelphia / Philadelphia County

2 stops

  1. Zoning Variance or Special Exception

    Required from the Philadelphia Zoning Board of Adjustment for operating a group care facility (4 or more unrelated children) in a residential zone. The zoning process involves a public hearing and neighbor notification. Smaller family daycare operations (fewer than 4 children) may qualify for a home occupation permit.

    Official government source

    $200-$6004-12 weeks

  2. Certificate of Occupancy

    Required from Philadelphia L&I for the premises used as a home daycare, particularly when operating with 4 or more children. The certificate confirms the home meets building code, fire safety, and space requirements for childcare use.

    Official government source

    $100-$4002-6 weeks

Terminus

Open for business — est. $500–$1,200 · 10-20 weeks

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Official Sources

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