To find a day care center you can call Child Care Information Services, also called Philadelphia Child Care Resources (888-461-5437) and they will send you a list of day care centers in your part of the city. While you are deciding which daycare center you would like to use, contact ChildLink for a Play Evaluation, if you have concerns about your child. ChildLink will send a specialist to your home or daycare center to offer the evaluation, and provide suggestions to both daycare staff and to your family.

Once you have decided which day care center you would like to use, you can contact ChildLink to identify the services or specialists who can provide the needed support services to your child, i.e. physical therapy, speech therapy, etc.

ChildLink - is a single point of contact for entry into the Early Intervention System. They offer intake for any child from birth to age five. They also offer on-going coordination for children from birth to three years of age. If your child is age 3-5, you can also call Elwyn (215-222-8054), directly for services.

Integrated Day Care - many day care centers in Philadelphia welcome children with special needs. The following list offers potential alternatives.

Child Care Choices Hotline
1233 Locust St.
Philadelphia, PA 19107 215-985-3302

The Child Care Choices Hotline is a telephone information hotline to help families locate day care options in their area. Operators are available from 8:00 am to 6:00 PM, Monday through Friday.

After School Tutoring and Mentoring Programs for Children and Youth (pdf file)

Associated Day Care Services
715 Jackson St.
Philadelphia, PA. 19148
215-389-8500

Provides day care services for children of working parents. Services are provided in both centers and in private homes on a sliding scale.

Parent Cooperative Nursery (PCN) - A half-day preschool program for 4 year-olds that emphasizes parents as volunteers in the classroom. Even Start is designed especially for parents of preschool children combining adult education services, parental involvement practices, an early childhood program, and home visitations.

Specialized Day Care - provides day care services to both children with and without disabilities in the same setting.

Best Friends at United Cerebral Palsy
108 Mermaid Lane
(215) 242-4200 ext. 605

Ken-Crest Development Center/Redeemer
Center
(215) 848-4865

SPIN (Special People in the Northeast)
(215) 613-1000
Serves people in the northeast section of Philadelphia. Provides Day Care, Early Intervention and Support Services.

Low-Income Programs

Pre-Kindergarten Head Start - A comprehensive preschool program for 3 and 4 year-olds that provides a developmentally appropriate educational program. All Head Start programs reserve at least 10% of their openings for children who have special needs. A list of Pre-Kindergarten Head Start programs can be found at Head Start.

Comprehensive Day Care - Formerly referred to as Get Set Centers and Child Care Centers, Comprehensive Day Care Centers are located in public schools, churches and community centers. They are sponsored by the School District and licensed by the state. The programs offer 12 month programs for three, four and five (if not yet in Kindergarten) year old children with limited number of spaces available for infants and toddlers. Some sites accommodate school-aged children. Hours vary but typically are from 7 am to 5:45 pm. Breakfast, lunch and snacks are served daily. To be eligible, parents or guardians must be currently employed or attending a training program for a minimum of 20 hours per week. Fees for eligible families are based on household income and/or family size but are generously reduced through federal, state and school district subsidies. All children are guided through a comprehensive, developmental, age-appropriate curriculum designed for intellectual, social & ethical development. Health services are available and parental involvement is encouraged. For more information contact: 215-351-7200

State Day Care Licensing and Regulations

There are four types of State regulated child care:

Family Day Care Home - A state-certified family residence with one caregiver providing care for four, five or six children unrelated to the caregiver. You can call the Philadelphia Office for Day Care Licensing to inquire about the requirements for opening a day care center in your home. They will do a workshop and guide you through the process. Call 800-346-2929.

Day Care Center - A state-certified facility providing care for seven or more children.

Group Day Care Home - A state-certified facility providing care for no more than 12 children.

Nursery School - A part-time preschool facility licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

Call the Southeast Regional Office at 800-346-2929 for help to locate any of these types of day care for your child.

A copy of the State Regulations are available at the State Website.