Help Paying for Preschool in Pennsylvania (2026)
Preschool is expensive, but Pennsylvania families have three main ways to lower or eliminate the cost: Head Start, public pre-K, and a childcare subsidy. Here's who qualifies for each — then check your family in seconds.
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Head Start & Early Head Start in Pennsylvania
Head Start is free, federally funded preschool (ages 3–5; Early Head Start under 3) for families at or below the federal poverty line — about $33,000 for a family of four in Pennsylvania (2026) — and it's free regardless of income if your family is experiencing homelessness, your child is in foster care, or you receive SNAP, TANF, or SSI. See the full income limits by household size → · Find a Pennsylvania program →
Public pre-K in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania's public pre-K, Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts, is income- or risk-based (age 3 to district K-entry age; income at or below 300% of the federal poverty level). Families under the program's income line — or who qualify on other factors (English learner, disability, foster, homeless) — can attend free. Official Pennsylvania program info →
Childcare subsidy in Pennsylvania
Separate from preschool programs, Pennsylvania's childcare subsidy — Child Care Works (CCW) — helps working families pay for care (infants and toddlers included, not just preschoolers), for income up to at or below 200% of the federal poverty income guidelines — roughly $66,000 for a family of four — measured against the federal poverty level. Apply or learn more →
Preschools in Pennsylvania
See also: when your child can start school in Pennsylvania · how to afford preschool · how much preschool costs.