Child Care Emergency Planning

Lancaster county is home to many childcare facilities including daycares,  home daycares, group child care homes, pre-k counts and other private childcare facilities. Childcare facilities are an essential part of day-to-day life for many parents and guardians. Planning guidelines and regulations for varying facility types can be found below.

Emergency plans can be sent to the County Emergency Management Division at EMplans@lancastercountypa.gov or submitted at the bottom of this page. 

Childcare Centers

This regulation provides the rules regarding the operation of a childcare center. A childcare center is a facility in which seven or more children unrelated to the operator receive childcare services. A child day care center must have a certificate of compliance (license) from DHS in order to operate. This code also requires a copy of the emergency plan and subsequent plan updates be sent to the local municipality and the county emergency management agency. Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency has an EOP template and guide to help facility owners and directors create their plan, see planning guides below.

Resources:

Family Child Care Homes

This regulation provides the rules regarding the operation of a family care home. A family childcare home is a facility in which four, five or six children unrelated to the operator receive childcare services. A family care home must be located in a home and must have a certificate of compliance (license) from DHS in order to operate.

Resources: 

Pre-K Counts

Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts (Pre-K Counts) provides quality half-day and full-day pre-kindergarten to eligible 3- and 4-year-olds in Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts Statute, Regulations and Guidelines states responsibilities for emergency response planning.  405.50 requires a copy of the emergency plan be sent to the county emergency management agency.

Resources:

Group Childcare Homes

This regulation provides the rules regarding the operation of a group childcare home. A group care home is a facility in which seven to 12 children unrelated to the operator receive childcare services. A group childcare home must have a certificate of compliance (license) from DHS in order to operate.

Resources: 

Planning Guides:

Free Training Opportunities:

Preparedness Information for Children:

Additional information can be found on Pennsylvania Emergency Management Agency's School and Child Care Safety page. 

If you need any assistance or have any questions regarding your organization’s emergency plans do not hesitate to reach out, our office provides on-site technical assistance. Contact our Community Resilience Coordinator at: EMplans@lancastercountypa.gov or (717) 664-1210.

Daycare Plan Submission

Plan Submission Button