COVID-19 and Childcare in Pennsylvania

CHILD CARE CLOSURES
Governor Tom Wolf announced the Closure of All Businesses That Are Not Life-
Sustaining on March 19, 2020, and child care is not considered life-sustaining on the
list. Child cares have been asked to remain closed until the Governor lifts the order but
child care is still available for life-sustaining personnel.

WAIVER TO PROVIDE CHILD CARE FOR LIFE SUSTAINING PERSONNEL
Governor Wolf recognizes the importance of caring for the children of life-sustaining
personnel, which is why the Office of Child Development and Early Learning created the
Exemption to Operate During Temporary Closure waiver for child care programs.

To see a list of child care programs operating on a waiver, visit the Department of
Human Services’ COVID-19 Resources Child Care Centers Map.

Family Child Care Homes and Group Child Care Homes operating in a residence are
permitted to remain open without a waiver and operate at their own discretion.

EARLY LEARNING RESOURCE CENTERS (ELRC) CAN HELP!
ELRCs can help working families by assisting them in finding open child cares with
waivers in your area.

ELRCs can assist families with applying for CCW (child care subsidy) or finding
other community resources they may need during this time, such as food pantries.
Locate your ELRC.