Pennsylvania Daycare Self-Inspection Checklist (Printable)

Recent and upcoming changes

CO alarm within 15 ft of fuel-burning appliance/fireplace/attached garage and on every level Act 113 of 2026 (adds 62 P.S. § 1017) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Smoke detector tests: once a month Act 113 of 2026 (amends 62 P.S. § 1016(c)) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Centers and family child care homes must manually test every fire detection device or system at least once a month (the old wording was every 30 days) and keep a written record with the fire drill logs.
Yearly public report on inspections and enforcement Act 113 of 2026 (adds 62 P.S. § 217) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care DHS must publish a report every year covering the previous fiscal year.
Health and safety rule package (December 2020) 50 Pa.B. 7133 (55 Pa. Code chs. 20, 3270, 3280, 3290) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care The last major rule update took effect December 19, 2020.
Rule rewrite in progress, not adopted 55 Pa. Code chs. 3270, 3280, 3290 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care OCDEL has been drafting replacement chapters for centers and family child care homes.

Who needs a certificate, and what kind

Child care center: 7 or more children 55 Pa. Code § 3270.3; 62 P.S. § 1001 Centers A child care center cares for seven or more children aged 15 or younger at one time, for part of a 24-hour day.
Group child care home: 7 to 12 children 55 Pa. Code §§ 3280.3, 3280.51 Group child care homes A group child care home cares for more than 6 but fewer than 13 children (or up to 15 if all are older school-age, 4th grade and up).
Family child care home: 4 to 6 unrelated children 55 Pa. Code §§ 3290.3, 3290.51; 62 P.S. § 1001 Family child care A family child care home is a home (not the child's own) where four, five or six children unrelated to the operator are in care at one time.
Applying and renewing 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.11, 3280.11, 3290.11; §§ 20.21, 20.22 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Before opening, the owner or a representative must attend a DHS orientation (within the 12 months before opening) and complete professional development in the same 10 health and safety topics required of staff.
Operating without a certificate 62 P.S. §§ 1002, 1031 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Running a facility that needs a certificate without one is illegal.
School-age programs that are not covered 55 Pa. Code § 3270.3a Centers · School-age programs This DHS statement of policy says the center rules don't apply to some part-day school-age programs: programs that run fewer than 90 consecutive days a year, programs of 2 hours or less a day on 3 or fewer days a week,…

Staff-to-child ratios

Ratios: infant 1:4, young toddler 1:5, older toddler 1:6, preschool 1:10, young school-age 1:12, older school-age 1:15 55 Pa. Code § 3270.51 Centers
Mixed-age groups: the youngest child decides 55 Pa. Code § 3270.52 Centers When ages are mixed in a group, the age of the youngest child sets both the ratio and the maximum group size.
Staff's own children and the two-adult rule 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.53, 3270.54 Centers The operator's related or foster children and staff persons' children count toward the ratio and the room's space capacity.
Naptime ratios 55 Pa. Code § 3270.55 Centers While toddlers and preschoolers nap, the ratio may relax to 1:10 for young toddlers, 1:12 for older toddlers and 1:20 for preschoolers.
Group child care home ratios 55 Pa. Code § 3280.52 Group child care homes A primary staff person must be present whenever children are in care, and two facility persons must go on any excursion.
Family child care home limits 55 Pa. Code §§ 3290.51, 3290.52 Family child care No more than six unrelated children at one time.
Swimming and wading ratios 55 Pa. Code § 3270.115 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care While children swim or use a wading pool, ratios tighten to: infants 1:1, toddlers 1:2, preschool 1:5, young school-age 1:6, older school-age 1:8.

Group size and space

Center maximum group sizes 55 Pa. Code § 3270.51 Centers Infants 8, young toddlers 10, older toddlers 12, preschoolers 20, young school-age 24, older school-age 30, each with two staff at the maximum.
Group home capacity 55 Pa. Code § 3280.51 Group child care homes No more than 12 children unrelated to the operator at one time, or 15 in a home serving only older school-age children.
Indoor and play space 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.61, 3270.62 Centers Indoor child care space allows one child per 40 square feet, measured inside permanent walls and including furniture, but not halls, bathrooms, offices or kitchens.

Director and staff qualifications

Center director 55 Pa. Code § 3270.34 Centers A director needs one of: a bachelor's degree in early childhood education, child development, special education, elementary education or human services plus 1 year of experience with children; any bachelor's with 30…
Group supervisor 55 Pa. Code § 3270.35 Centers A group supervisor plans and runs daily activities.
Assistant group supervisor and aide 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.36, 3270.37 Centers An assistant group supervisor needs a high school diploma or GED plus one of: 30 related college credits, 15 credits and 1 year of experience, 600 hours of approved secondary training, a post-secondary training program,…
Ages and staffing mix 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.31, 3270.33 Centers Staff persons must be at least 18. Volunteers must be at least 16 and directly supervised at all times.
Group home staff 55 Pa. Code §§ 3280.34, 3280.35 Group child care homes A primary staff person supervises the children and needs a high school diploma or GED plus 30 related credits, 15 credits and 1 year of experience, 600 hours of approved training, a post-secondary program, or 2 years of…
Family child care operator 55 Pa. Code § 3290.31(a)–(c) Family child care The operator must be at least 18 and have a high school diploma or GED, with proof sent to the regional office no later than the second renewal application.

Background checks (clearances)

PSP, ChildLine (child abuse) and FBI fingerprint clearances on file for every staff person before the start date 23 Pa.C.S. § 6344(a)–(b) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Extra checks for child care staff and volunteers 23 Pa.C.S. § 6344(f.1) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Employees and volunteers of child care centers, group homes and family child care homes must also provide, before starting, child abuse, criminal history and sex offender registry checks from every other state they…
Who cannot be hired 23 Pa.C.S. § 6344(c) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care No one may be hired who is named as the perpetrator of a founded child abuse report from the last five years, who has been convicted of a listed serious offense (such as homicide, kidnapping, sexual offenses or child…
Provisional hiring (up to 45 days) 23 Pa.C.S. § 6344(m) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care A new hire may work provisionally for a single period of up to 45 days only if they have applied for all clearances, swear in writing that they are not disqualified, already have the child abuse result plus either the…
Renew every 60 months 23 Pa.C.S. § 6344.4 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Clearances must be renewed every 60 months, counted from the date of the oldest clearance.
What the facility must keep 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.32, 3270.192 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care The operator must follow the Child Protective Services Law and must not let anyone into the facility known to be convicted of, or awaiting trial for, child abuse, neglect, physical violence or moral corruption.

Training, first aid and CPR

Each staff file shows the 10 health and safety topics completed within 90 days of hire 55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(f)–(j) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
12 clock hours every year 55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(e) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Each staff person needs at least 12 clock hours of child care training a year, from a college, a qualified trainer, conferences or workshops, or recognized audio-visual materials.
Pediatric first aid and CPR 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.31(e)(4)(i), 3270.33(d) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care All staff persons must renew their pediatric first aid and pediatric CPR certification on or before it expires.
Yearly fire safety training (centers) 55 Pa. Code § 3270.31(e)(4)(ii) Centers Center staff must attend fire safety training from a fire protection professional at least once a year.

Supervision, health and safety

Supervision at all times 55 Pa. Code § 3270.113(a) Centers · Group child care homes A staff person must supervise children at all times, on the premises (including the outdoor play area) and on excursions.
Family homes: monitors while cooking, 16-hour limit 55 Pa. Code § 3290.113(f)–(g) Family child care As in centers, a staff person must supervise children at all times, on and off the premises, within the home's limits on numbers.
Sick children 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.136, 3270.137 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care A child with symptoms of a communicable disease that may threaten others must be kept out until a physician or CRNP says the child is no longer a threat, and the note goes in the child's file.
Adult health assessments 55 Pa. Code § 3270.151 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Anyone who gives direct care or prepares food needs a health assessment by a physician, physician assistant or CRNP within 12 months before starting and every 24 months after.
Handwashing and diapering 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.134, 3270.135 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Children's hands must be washed before meals and snacks, after toileting and after diapering, and staff must do the same.
Reporting injuries, deaths and fires 55 Pa. Code § 3270.20 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care If a child is admitted to a hospital or treated in an emergency room, dies, or there is a fire that needs the fire department, the operator must notify the parent immediately, phone the regional office within 24 hours,…
Child abuse reporting 55 Pa. Code § 3270.19 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Any facility person who has reasonable cause to suspect child abuse must report it to ChildLine right away, at (800) 932-0313 or online.

Facility, furniture, equipment and hazards

No recalled or CPSC-hazardous toys, furniture, cribs or rest equipment on site 55 Pa. Code § 3270.102(g) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Play equipment and furniture 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.102(a)–(f), 3270.104 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Toys and equipment must be clean, in good repair and free of sharp edges, pinch points, splinters and exposed bolts.
Outlets, chemicals and choking hazards 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.65, 3270.66, 3270.103 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Outlets within reach of children 5 and under need protective covers.
Hot water and heat sources 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.69, 3270.71, 3270.92 Centers Hot water in areas children can reach may not be hotter than 110°F, and pipes or other heat sources above 110°F must be guarded or insulated.
Windows, stairs and glass 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.72(d), 3270.80, 3270.81 Centers Windows and doors above the ground floor that children can reach must open no more than 6 inches.
Center: no weapons on site. Home: firearms locked, ammunition locked separately, parents notified 55 Pa. Code § 3270.79; § 3280.79; § 3290.76 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Lead paint 55 Pa. Code § 3270.77 Centers Peeling or damaged paint and damaged plaster are not allowed.

Emergency plans, drills and fire safety

Emergency plan reviewed this year, drill done, staff trained, parent letter sent, copy sent to municipality and county EMA 55 Pa. Code § 3270.27 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Fire drill within the last 60 days, location rotated, written record 55 Pa. Code § 3270.94 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Smoke detector testing 62 P.S. § 1016(c); 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.95, 3280.95, 3290.95 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Every center, group home and family home must have a working fire detection device or system that meets this statute.
Phone, emergency numbers and first aid kits 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.73–3270.75 Centers Have a working phone with a published number.
Emergency information goes with the children 55 Pa. Code § 3270.124(c)–(e) Centers Each child's emergency contact information must be in the room where the child is, and must go with staff on walks and trips.

Medication

Rules for giving medication 55 Pa. Code § 3270.133 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Prescription and over-the-counter medication is accepted only in its original container labeled with the medication and the child's name.
Medication log: drug, child, refrigeration, amount, date, time, staff initials, problems 55 Pa. Code § 3270.133(7) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care

Immunizations and health reports

Every child 2 months+ has a dated vaccine record or a signed exemption within 60 days 55 Pa. Code § 3270.131(e); 28 Pa. Code § 27.77 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Delays, record keeping and certificates 28 Pa. Code § 27.77(a)(2)–(4) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care If a doctor says a vaccine was delayed for a temporary medical reason, the child must be excluded 30 days later unless a new verification arrives, and it must be renewed every 30 days.
Child health reports 55 Pa. Code § 3270.131(a)–(d) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Parents must provide a health report signed by a physician, PA or CRNP within 60 days of the first day.

Food and nutrition

Meals and food groups 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.162, 3270.163 Centers Children in care 4 or more consecutive hours get nutritious, well-timed meals and snacks.
Menus 55 Pa. Code § 3270.165; § 3280.165; § 3290.165 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care A center must post the menu at least 1 week ahead or give a copy to each family.
Infants 6 months and under held for bottles; no bottles in bed; no microwaving formula or breast milk 55 Pa. Code § 3270.166 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Drinking water 55 Pa. Code § 3270.69(c)–(d) Centers Safe drinking water must be available to children all day, and must be provided to children who are outdoors for more than 1 hour.

Safe sleep

Infants placed on their backs to sleep unless a signed medical statement is on file 55 Pa. Code § 3270.119 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
No toys, bumpers or pillows in cribs; slats 2 3/8 in or less; 2 ft between cots and cribs 55 Pa. Code § 3270.106 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care

Discipline and guidance

No spanking, ridicule, threats, harsh language, restraints or confinement 55 Pa. Code § 3270.113(b)–(e) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Food is never a punishment 55 Pa. Code § 3270.162(c)–(d) Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Food may not be withheld from a child as discipline, and a child may not be forced to eat.

Records

Parent re-signed emergency contacts and fee agreement within the last 6 months 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.181, 3270.182 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Accident and injury reports 55 Pa. Code § 3270.182(7) Centers Each report of an accident, injury or illness in care is made in three copies: the original goes to the parent the same day, one goes in the facility's accident file and one in the child's file.
Parent agreement and emergency contacts 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.123, 3270.124 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care A signed agreement sets out fees, services, the child's arrival and departure times, the people the child may be released to, and the admission date.
Confidentiality and retention 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.183–3270.185 Centers Child records are confidential and kept in a locked cabinet.
Staff records 55 Pa. Code § 3270.192 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Each staff file holds proof of age, education, experience and training; health assessments and TB results; clearance requests and results with the disclosure statement; and two written references from people who are not…

Arrival, pickup and release of children

Release only to parents or written designees; phone-designated pickups logged with all five details 55 Pa. Code § 3270.117 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Missing or forgotten children are reportable 55 Pa. Code § 3270.20a Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care A child who is lost or missing, left behind on an excursion, or left alone in the facility after it closes must be reported to the parent and DHS like a serious injury: parent immediately, the regional office within 24…
Child Care Works absences 55 Pa. Code § 3042.18 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care For children whose care is paid through Child Care Works, the eligibility agency suspends enrollment and payment when the provider reports that a child has been absent more than 5 consecutive scheduled days.

Transportation and field trips

Consent and car seats 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.172, 3270.175 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Transportation needs written parent consent, except school-age children riding school-district vehicles.
Never leave a child alone in a vehicle; driver not counted in ratio for children under school age 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.173, 3270.177 Centers · Group child care homes
Drivers and vehicles 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.174, 3270.176 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care Drivers must be 18 or older with a valid license.
Pick-up and drop-off points 55 Pa. Code § 3270.171 Centers Centers must tell local traffic safety authorities in writing each year where the center is and which pedestrian and vehicle routes it uses.

Inspections and enforcement

Unannounced inspections 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.11(g), 3270.24 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care DHS inspects before the first certificate (announced) and then at least once a year unannounced.
Certificate and latest inspection summary posted where parents can see them 55 Pa. Code § 3270.25 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Plan of correction 55 Pa. Code § 20.52 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care For each violation the inspector finds, the provider must submit an acceptable written plan to correct it and a time frame for doing so.
Provisional certificates 55 Pa. Code § 20.54; 62 P.S. § 1008 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care A facility in substantial but not complete compliance gets a provisional certificate for up to 6 months.
Denial, nonrenewal and revocation 55 Pa. Code § 20.71; 62 P.S. § 1026 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care DHS may refuse, not renew or revoke a certificate for rule violations, failing to submit or follow a plan of correction, abuse or mistreatment, gross incompetence or negligence, or fraud.

Appeals and waivers

Appeal deadline: 30 days after notice is served 55 Pa. Code §§ 3270.12, 20.81, 20.82 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care
Waivers 55 Pa. Code § 3270.13 Centers · Group child care homes · Family child care A center may ask the regional office for a waiver before its inspection, but only for certain rules: staff accreditation requirements, physical site, equipment and program rules.

Pennsylvania daycare self-inspection checklist

Recent and upcoming changes

Who needs a certificate, and what kind

Staff-to-child ratios

Group size and space

Director and staff qualifications

Background checks (clearances)

Training, first aid and CPR

Supervision, health and safety

Facility, furniture, equipment and hazards

Emergency plans, drills and fire safety

Medication

Immunizations and health reports

Food and nutrition

Safe sleep

Discipline and guidance

Records

Arrival, pickup and release of children

Transportation and field trips

Inspections and enforcement

Appeals and waivers

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