Pennsylvania Childcare Licensing
Pennsylvania Childcare Required Forms & Documents (2026)
Licensed childcare centers in Pennsylvania must collect, complete, and retain specific forms for every enrolled child before care begins. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services requires 7 distinct forms or documents — from enrollment agreements to emergency contacts to immunization records — to remain on file and available for inspection at all times.
Last updated: April 2026
Researched by the TotReady Research TeamPennsylvania Required Forms & Documents: The Specifics
Pennsylvania childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Child Enrollment Form for every enrolled child (per Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services).
Pennsylvania childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Health Assessment/Physical Exam for every enrolled child (per Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services).
Pennsylvania childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Emergency Contact and Authorization for every enrolled child (per Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services).
Pennsylvania childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Immunization Record for every enrolled child (per Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services).
Pennsylvania childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Medication Administration Consent for every enrolled child (per Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services).
Pennsylvania childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Parent Handbook Acknowledgment for every enrolled child (per Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services).
Pennsylvania childcare centers are required to collect and maintain a completed Child Abuse History Clearance Receipt for every enrolled child (per Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services).
Pennsylvania Required Forms & Documents at a Glance
| Child Enrollment Form | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services |
|---|---|
| Health Assessment/Physical Exam | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services |
| Emergency Contact and Authorization | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services |
| Immunization Record | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services |
| Medication Administration Consent | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services |
| Parent Handbook Acknowledgment | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services |
| Child Abuse History Clearance Receipt | Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services |
Go Deeper
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Pennsylvania Required Forms & Documents: Frequently Asked Questions
What forms are required for childcare enrollment in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania requires the following forms for each enrolled child: Child Enrollment Form; Health Assessment/Physical Exam; Emergency Contact and Authorization; Immunization Record; Medication Administration Consent; Parent Handbook Acknowledgment; Child Abuse History Clearance Receipt.
How long must Pennsylvania childcare centers keep enrollment forms on file?
Pennsylvania childcare licensing rules require that child records, including all required enrollment forms, be kept on file for the duration of enrollment and for a retention period after the child leaves. Contact the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services to confirm the exact retention schedule.
What happens if a Pennsylvania center is missing required child forms during an inspection?
Missing or incomplete required forms are a citable deficiency in a Pennsylvania childcare licensing inspection. Fines up to $5,000/day; provisional, suspended, or revoked certificate under Human Services Code §1026
Does TotReady provide templates for Pennsylvania required forms?
TotReady's enrollment form tool and incident report tool generate Pennsylvania-ready documents pre-filled with the required fields. Visit /tools/enrollment-form and /tools/incident-report to get started.
Pennsylvania childcare licensing rules are amended regularly. This page is compiled from published Pennsylvania administrative codes and statutes for informational purposes only — always verify current requirements with the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Bureau of Certification Services before relying on them. TotReady provides information and document templates, not legal or regulatory advice.