Summary information on some of the
regulations
(The information below is provided as a convenience to interested parties,
it is highly recommended that the actual regulations be viewed, as the
information contained below is a non-expert summary. Links to the current
regulations are provided)
General Information
This document summarizes some of the elements in a Child Care environment
which have been identified as key to meeting a child's developmental needs. What
cannot be set out in regulations is the manner in which a caregiver interacts
with a child. This element must be observed and judged carefully by a
parent. To help parents carefully review child care options please review
our detailed child care
questionnaire.
Child Care Staff Ratios and
Group Size The number of caregiving staff to the number of
children is critical to the quality of care and interaction your child will
receive. The overall size of the group also has a significant impact on
the quality of interaction. Larger groups generate more noise, tension and
related stresses.
Child Care Space Requirements The
amount of physical space for each child to play impacts a child's ability to
have sufficient room to explore and to play without feeling over crowded.
There needs to be adequate space indoors and out.
Child Care Staff Education
Requirements Numerous studies have shown that better trained
staff provide higher quality care.
KNOW THE RULES -
PROTECT YOUR CHILD
Click Here to view the full set of Pennsylvania
Child Care Group Home Regulations
Pennsylvania
Group Home Child Care Ratios: (while related or foster children of
the operator or a staff person are not counted in the number of children severed
(i.e. more than 12/15 children may be in care) these children are counted in the
Provider to Child Ratio. Chick here to see the Pennsylvania
Children of the operator or a facility person regulation)
| Age Group |
Age Range |
Ratio Provider to Child1 |
Max in a Group2 |
Ratio during Nap Periods |
| Infants |
0-12 months |
1 care giver to every 4 children |
12 |
1 to 4 |
| Young Toddlers |
13-24 months |
1 care giver to every 5 children |
12 |
1 to 5 |
| Older Toddlers |
25-36 months |
1 care giver to every 6 children |
12 |
1 to 12 |
| PreSchool |
37 months until 1st day of 1st
grade |
1 care giver to every 10 children |
12 |
1 to 20 |
| Young School Age |
1st grade until 1st
day of 4th grade |
1 care giver to every 12 children |
12 |
1 to 24 |
| Older School Age |
4th grade 15 years of age |
1 care giver to every 15 children |
15 |
1 to 30 |
- If the group is of mixed ages, the ratio for the youngest child in the
group applies to the entire group.
- A group is defined as the number of children who may be assigned to one or
two staff persons. A group occupies a space or a defined part of a space.
Click here to see the Pennsylvania
Group Home Ratio Requirement regulation.
Pennsylvania Group Home Child
Physical Space Requirements
| Age Group |
Age Range |
Sq. ft of care space per child1
|
Playground Sq. ft required3
|
| Infants |
0-12 months |
40
|
40
|
| Young Toddlers |
13-24 months |
40
|
50
|
| Older Toddlers |
25-36 months |
40
|
50
|
| PreSchool |
37 months until 1st day of 1st
grade |
40
|
65
|
| Young School Age |
1st grade until 1st
day of 4th grade |
40
|
65
|
| Older School Age |
4th grade 15 years of age |
40
|
65
|
- Square feet is the amount of space available in a room, measuring from
permanent wall to permanent wall, less any significant cutouts. The
number of children in a room cannot exceed the space of that room,
regardless of the overall center capacity.
Space may be 'overcrowded' during Nap time and Meal time, for children over
24 months, for a maximum of 2 1/2 hours per day. Space may never be over
crowded for Infants and Young toddlers.
- Playground space required is based on the number of children using the
playground at one time. A reasonable amount of playground space, to allow
all children playground use, must be available. Playground space cannot be
counted in the care space. Playground space may be indoor or outdoor space,
suitable for Large Motor activities.
Pennsylvania
Child Care Group Home Measurement and use of Indoor child care space
Pennsylvania
Child Care Staffing Levels & Education Requirements
Pennsylvania Group Home Staffing: There are two (2)
'levels' of staff. Primary and Secondary.
