The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is requesting that licensed child care providers who charge private pay tuition rates complete a survey between Sept. 8 and Dec. 8.

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OCDEL is required to collect up-to-date tuition information from all licensed providers every three years. The 2025 Child Care Market Rate Survey helps OCDEL set child care subsidy payment rates that are reflective of the private pay market.

Even programs that don’t accept subsidies should fill out the survey. When all providers complete the survey, the date gives a more accurate picture of child care tuition rates across Pennsylvania.

Benefits of filling out the survey include:

• The results help to set payment rates for child care subsidies over the next few years.
• When more providers respond, rates are more fair and reflect real tuition rates.
• It supports policies that better reflect the real structure and value of child care services statewide.
• It strengthens the case for public investment in child care for everyone.
• If you don’t respond, decisions may be based on other programs that don’t reflect your rates.

Participants who complete the survey will be entered into a raffle and could win a gift card. A total of 100 winners will each get a $100 e-gift card.

Surveys can be filled out online or on paper. A paper copy of the survey will be sent in mid-September to all programs that have not yet completed the survey online. Surveys should be returned in the pre-paid return envelopes that are provided. Or, those taking the survey can scan or take photos of it and submit it to ChildCareResearch@psu.edu. 

It is being conducted by the Institute of State and Regional Affairs at Penn State Harrisburg, in partnership with OCDEL and the Pennsylvania Key. 

The survey should be filled out between Sept. 8 and Dec. 8.