ELRC 18 Philadelphia County

It is a significant challenge for families to afford reliable, quality child care. Child Care Works, Pennsylvania’s Subsidized Child Care Program, makes it possible for low-income families to find reliable, quality child care near their home or work and provides financial assistance to help them afford it.

Through the Child Care Works partnership, eligible families make a co-payment to the child care program in addition to the state subsidy that Child Care Works provides. More than 200,000 children and their families receive Child Care Works subsidy each year. By accepting children receiving Child Care Works subsidy, child care programs can provide quality early learning services to at-risk children in their communities.

Your early learning program’s profile in COMPASS will market that you accept families receiving Child Care Works subsidy. Your program may also be included in the referral lists that PA’s Early Learning Resource Centers give to prospective families.

Child care programs that enroll children receiving Child Care Works subsidy may be eligible for Keystone STARS subsidy add-on and additional Keystone STARS grants and awards. The higher your STAR level, the greater your subsidy add-on. A STAR 4 program, for example, can earn an additional $2,000 a year for each infant and toddler through the STARS subsidy add-on.

CLICK HERE for more information about the PA Child Care Works Subsidized Child Care Program.