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Child Care Subsidies for the greater Pennsylvania and Philadelphia areas for low income families

1. Pennsylvania Child Care Works (CCW) Subsidized Child Care

Pennsylvania’s main childcare financial support program is called Child Care Works (CCW). It helps low-income families pay for reliable child care while parents work or train. Pennsylvania Government


📌 What It Is

CCW is a state- and federally funded subsidy managed by county Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs). They may pay all or part of child care costs, depending on your income and household size. Pennsylvania Government


📝 Who Can Apply

To qualify you must:

  • Live in Pennsylvania

  • Have a child who needs care while you work, train, or attend school

  • Meet income limits — generally 200% or less of the Federal Poverty Guidelines

  • Work at least 20 hours per week (or a combination of work + school) Pennsylvania Government


Children up to age 13 (or up to 18 with disabilities) may be covered. Pennsylvania Government


📍 How to Apply

  1. Visit the official CCW page and find your ELRC:👉 https://www.pa.gov/services/dhs/apply-for-child-care-works-subsidized-child-care/ Pennsylvania Government

  2. Apply online through COMPASS

  3. Or download & deliver the application to your local ELRC office Pennsylvania Government


Your local ELRC can help you determine eligibility and complete the application.


2. ELRC (Early Learning Resource Centers) Help and Local Assistance

Your county’s Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) is the local hub to help families access subsidized child care. Community Connections


📌 What It Does

ELRCs manage the CCW program and provide:

  • Help finding quality child care

  • Support filling out applications

  • Answers to questions about income limits and documentation Community Connections


📝 How It Works

Each ELRC serves a geographic region and can guide you based on your situation. For example, ELRC Region 8 works with low-income families to help them get subsidized care for children from birth through age 13. ELRC REGION 8


📍 How to Apply

To begin:

  • Find your local ELRC through the PA DHS online directory

  • Call them for help with paperwork and eligibility questions


3. Child Care Works in Philadelphia & County-Level Support

If you live near the greater Philadelphia area, local ELRC offices such as ELRC 18 in Philadelphia County manage the Child Care Works applications. elrc-phmc.org


📌 What They Offer

ELRC 18 staff will walk you through the application process and explain income limits and how hours of work/training affect eligibility. elrc-phmc.org


📝 Eligibility Requirements

Similar to statewide CCW guidelines, you must:

  • Live in Pennsylvania

  • Have children in need of care while you work or train

  • Meet income and employment/training hour requirements elrc-phmc.org


📍 How to Apply

Contact your county ELRC directly — every ELRC has application forms you can pick up or submit online.


4. Pennsylvania Child Care Financial Assistance & Related Programs

In addition to CCW, Pennsylvania offers other financial resources that can make child care more affordable, even if you don’t receive a direct childcare subsidy through CCW. Childcare.gov


📌 Other Helpful Programs

Some programs that support children and families financially include:

  • Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

  • Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP)

  • Women, Infants & Children (WIC)

  • Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) Childcare.gov

These programs don’t directly pay for child care, but they can reduce household costs so you can better afford quality care.


📍 Where to Apply

Most of these programs also use COMPASS and the local County Assistance Office for applications.


5. Community Legal Services: Help With Child Care Subsidies

For parents who need extra help with navigating eligibility or appeals, organizations like Community Legal Services can help families apply or keep subsidies. Community Legal Services


📌 What They Provide

  • Advice on documentation needed

  • Help with reviewing notices from assistance offices

  • Support for families on programs such as SNAP, TANF, or CCW Community Legal Services


📍 How to Access

Contact Community Legal Services or other local nonprofit legal aid groups in your area for free or low-cost assistance.


Getting Started — What You Need

Across these programs, common requirements include:

  • Proof of Pennsylvania residence

  • Documentation of income and family size

  • Verification of employment or training

  • Proof of child’s age and identityYour local ELRC can tell you exactly what documentation is required and help you prepare your application. Pennsylvania Government


We Accept Child Care Subsidies at Globetrotters Academy

At Globetrotters Academy, we are proud to accept Pennsylvania subsidized child care funding, including Child Care Works (CCW) and related assistance programs. We currently have open spots available for children from infants through preschool across Pennsylvania, including:


We’re here to help you make high-quality bilingual child care affordable and accessible. If you already receive subsidized funding or are in the process of applying, Globetrotters Academy is ready to work with your subsidy benefits — schedule a tour or contact us today!

 
 
 

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