Service overview
There are two types of child care facilities:
- Family Child Care
- Commercial Child Care
To operate a family child care facility, you need the Child Care Facility License issued by Philadelphia’s Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I).
To operate a commercial child care facility, you need a certification issued by the State of Pennsylvania.
Family child care facilities
This type of facility must:
- Be a one- or two-family dwelling.
- Be the child care provider’s primary residence.
- Not serve more than the number of children approved by the Zoning Permit.
- Areas 1 and 2: Maximum of four children
- Area 3: Maximum of six children
- Elsewhere in the city: Maximum of six children, except by special exception that allows a maximum of 12 children
Use the map below to find the area where your business is located.
Family child care facility areas
- Areas 1 and 2
- Area 3
Who
Anyone operating a Family Child Care center needs this license.
Requirements
Other licenses and registrations
- Registration from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare
- Philadelphia Tax Identification Number (PHTIN)
- Commercial Activity License
- Zoning approval
- License Eligibility Report (LER)
- This report is issued by the Office of Food Protection after you’ve gotten a Stationary Plan Review and passed your inspection.
Safety and inspections
- Child care businesses need to follow the fire safety requirements.
- A valid lead-free or lead-safe certification must be submitted to the Department of Public Health before this license can be obtained or renewed.
- Commercial child care facilities are regulated by Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning.
- The Philadelphia Department of Public Health inspects both family and commercial child care facilities.
Where and when
Online
You can apply online using eCLIPSE.
If you need help filing your application online, you can schedule a virtual appointment.
In person
You need an appointment to visit the Permit and License Center in person.
Permit and License Center
1401 John F. Kennedy Blvd.
MSB, Public Service Concourse
Philadelphia, PA 19102
Office hours: 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., Monday through Friday
Offices close at noon on the last Wednesday of each month.
Cost
A non-refundable application fee of $20 is applied toward the license fee. The balance is due after your facility passes the fire safety inspection.
If you renew your license more than 60 days after the due date, you will be charged 1.5% of the license fee for each month since the license expired.
Payment methods and details
Accepted payment methods
| Where | Accepted payment |
|---|---|
| Online through the eCLIPSE application
(There is a $200,000 limit for online payments.) |
|
| In person at the Permit and License Center in the Municipal Services Building |
|
| In person at the Cashier’s Station in the Municipal Services Building
(Items paid at the Cashier’s Station will be mailed within five business days.) |
|
Checks and money orders
Check requirements
- Make all checks and money orders payable to the “City of Philadelphia.”
- The individual or company listed on the check must be listed on the application.
- Personal checks are accepted.
- Checks and money orders must have issue dates within 12 months of the transaction.
Reasons your check may be rejected
L&I will not accept checks that are missing depository information or are:
- Unsigned.
- Expired.
- Post-dated.
- Starter checks without account info.
Returned payment policy
If your check is returned unpaid for insufficient or uncollected funds:
- You will be charged a $20 fee for collection.
- You authorize the City of Philadelphia or its agent to make a one-time electronic fund transfer from your account to collect this fee directly.
- The City of Philadelphia or its agent may re-present your check electronically to your depository institution for payment.
- If the City is unable to obtain payment, the license, permit, or appeal application will be void.
- You cannot take any additional action under a permit until you have paid all fees.
- The permit or license will be revoked if the outstanding fees are not paid within 30 days.
- You cannot file or obtain additional permits until you resolve the outstanding debt.
Late license payment
If you renew your license more than 60 days after the due date, you will be charged 1.5% of the license fee for each month since the license expired.
How
You can apply for this license online using eCLIPSE or in person at the Permit and License Center.
Online
Applications are reviewed within five business days.
This takes about 15 days.
If you fail the inspection, you must correct the issues. You have 35 days to comply. Once the corrections are complete, contact the district office to schedule a new inspection.
Upon inspection approval, L&I will provide the operator with an approved Residential Day Care Verification of Compliance form.
In person
Your application is reviewed while you wait.
This takes about 15 days.
If you fail the inspection, you must correct the issues. You have 35 days to comply. Once the corrections are complete, contact the district office to schedule a new inspection.
Upon inspection approval, L&I will provide the operator with an approved Residential Day Care Verification of Compliance form.
Fire safety inspections
All family child care facilities need an annual fire safety inspection from the City of Philadelphia.
Renewal requirements
You must renew this license annually. You can renew online through eCLIPSE or in person at the Permit and License Center.
To renew your license:
- You must be current on all City of Philadelphia taxes.
- The property is subject to annual inspection by L&I.