Choosing a Program - Pennsylvania's Promise for Children

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Choosing a child care/early learning program

Let's face it – trying to find a child care/early learning program is not a leisurely experience. You usually need to find a program now that is affordable and close to your home or work. But it is definitely worth the extra time to find right program for your child. It will save you time in the long run and have a huge impact on your child.

So where do you start?

First of all, start early. Many good programs will have waiting lists, so putting your child on the waiting list even before he/she is born is a good idea.
Understand how child care/ early learning programs are regulated in Pennsylvania.
Find out what makes up a quality child care/early learning program.
Make a list of what is most important to you in a child care/early learning program.
Find out if you are eligible to receive financial assistance for child care from Child Care Works.
Find out what child care/ early learning programs are offered in your community such as Keystone STARS, PA Pre-K Counts, Nurse-Family Partnership, and Head Start.
Research the programs you are interested in

Find out about any violations or complaints by contacting your Regional Office of Child Development and Early Learning.
Find out if they participate in Keystone STARS
Ask friends what they know about the programs

Call and visit the programs you are interested in.
Once you've picked a program, continue to visit at different times and make time to speak with your child's teacher.

Download "A Parent's Guide to Choosing Quality Child Care" for more ideas.

When you choose a quality child care/early learning or afterschool program:

Your child is safe while you are at school or work;
Your child will be supported and challenged to explore and learn new things;
Your child will learn important academic skills like language and numbers, but also how to play well with others and follow directions; and
Your child is more likely to enter kindergarten prepared, do better through school, graduate high school and attend college.