Lancaster County, PA Home Business: Home Daycare (2026)
Key Facts
- County licensing
- None
- Regulator
- PA Dept of Human Services
- Rule
- 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3290
- Certificate required
- 4 to 6 unrelated children
- Unregulated
- 3 or fewer unrelated children
Summary
Lancaster County does not license daycares. Under 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3290, a family child care home caring for four to six unrelated children must hold a certificate of compliance from the PA Department of Human Services.
A home other than the child's own home, operated for profit or not-for-profit, in which child care is provided at any one time to four, five or six children unrelated to the operator.
Full Breakdown
Home daycare is licensed by the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), not the county. Under 55 Pa. Code Chapter 3290, a 'family child care home' is a home, other than the child's own, where care is provided to four, five, or six unrelated children at one time. Section 3290.11 requires the operator to obtain a valid certificate of compliance from DHS before operating, which involves an application, home inspection, background clearances, and health and safety standards. Caring for three or fewer unrelated children is unregulated; caring for seven or more moves the home into the group or child care center rules (Chapters 3280/3270).
Violations & Fines
Operating a family child care home for four to six children without a DHS certificate of compliance violates the Human Services Code and 55 Pa.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many kids can I watch without a license?
Does Lancaster County license home daycares?
Sources & Official References
Other rules in Lancaster County
Compare Lancaster County to another location·View the Pennsylvania home business overview
See something wrong?
Help us keep this page accurate. If you notice an error or outdated information, let us know.