Daycare in Columbia, PA
7 licensed programs in Columbia (Lancaster County): 4 child care centers, 2 group child care homes and 1 family child care home. Together they're licensed for 345 children.
Short answer
Source: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), as of October 2026. Child care centers, group child care homes and family child care homes that OCDEL lists as open and certified at the end of the month. Pre-K Counts, Head Start and other early learning sites without a child care certificate are not included. Pennsylvania doesn't publish the ages each program serves in this dataset. Openings change daily, so call first.
What daycare costs in Lancaster County
$270/weekmedian for full-time infant care at a center ($14,019 a year) in 2020, before inflation since.
| Weekly | Center | Home daycare |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | $270 | $150 |
| Toddler | $223 | $130 |
| Preschool | $196 | $130 |
Source: U.S. Department of Labor, National Database of Childcare Prices. Data as of 2020.
4 child care centers in Columbia
Licensed centers, A to Z, with street addresses.
- Healthy Kids at Park Elementary SchoolAccepts subsidy
50 S 6th St, 17512 · (646) 671-9364
License CER-00248881 - K-Prep Learning Centerlicensed for 72 · Accepts subsidy
3943 Columbia Ave, 17512 · (717) 285-2711
License CER-00253108 - Little People Day Care School of Columbialicensed for 103 · Accepts subsidy
780 Chickies Hill Rd, 17512 · (717) 684-4451
License CER-00244337 - St John Neumann School for Children and Familieslicensed for 140 · Accepts subsidy
401 Locust St, 17512 · (717) 684-0228
License CER-00254301
2 group child care homes in Columbia
Licensed care in a provider's home for a larger group. Shown by city and phone only, since the address is a home.
- Aidens Home Daycare LLClicensed for 12 · Accepts subsidy
Columbia · (717) 203-6111
License CER-00248824 - Sunrise Kids Daycare Center LLClicensed for 12 · Accepts subsidy
Columbia · (717) 696-7110
License CER-00254195
1 family child care home in Columbia
Licensed care in a provider's own home. Shown by city and phone only, since the address is a home.
- JACQUELINE P C DuBEYlicensed for 6
Columbia · (717) 615-9070
License CER-00248839
How can I get help paying for daycare in Columbia?
Child Care Works pays part of the bill at a licensed provider you choose; you pay a copay based on income. Pennsylvania's list shows 6 of the 7 programs here accept it.
Help paying in Pennsylvania
Child Care Works, run by Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning
$54,640a year or less for a family of three to start (200% of the federal poverty level), as of May 2026. You also need to work, study or train.
Copays are capped at 7% of income (May 2025).
How to applySources: Pennsylvania Department of Human Services; National Women's Law Center
- Child care assistance in every state Income limits, copays and waiting lists
- Child care cost by county Look up any county in Pennsylvania
- How much childcare costs Center, home daycare and nanny prices
- Dependent care FSA calculator The FSA or the tax credit for 2026
- Head Start in Pennsylvania Free preschool and Early Head Start if you qualify
Daycare in Columbia: common questions
How much does daycare cost in Columbia, PA?
In Lancaster County, full-time infant care at a child care center had a median price of $270 a week ($14,019 a year) in 2020, and preschool care $196 a week. A family child care home charged a median $150 a week for an infant. These prices come from the U.S. Department of Labor and aren't adjusted for inflation, so expect higher rates today.
How many licensed daycares are in Columbia?
Pennsylvania's list shows 7 licensed programs in Columbia as of October 2026: 4 child care centers, 2 group child care homes and 1 family child care home. Together they're licensed for 345 children, though licensed capacity isn't the same as open spots.
Can I get help paying for daycare in Columbia?
Yes, if you qualify. Child Care Works, run by Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning, pays part of the cost at a provider you choose. A family of three can earn up to $54,640 a year to start. The state's list shows 6 of the Columbia programs accept the subsidy.
How do I know a daycare is licensed?
Every program on this page is on Pennsylvania's list of active licensed programs, with its license number. Look up the record before you tour: it shows the ages and number of children the program is licensed for and its inspection history.
Sources
- 1.Child Care Providers including Early Learning Programs Listing Current Monthly Facility County Human Services Pennsylvania Department of Human Services, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). Accessed October 16, 2026.
- 2.National Database of Childcare Prices: 2008-2022 (Data File) U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 3.National Database of Childcare Prices Technical Report (September 2024) U.S. Department of Labor, Women's Bureau. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 4.Child Care Works (CCW) Pennsylvania Department of Human Services. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 5.Pennsylvania: Financial Assistance Resources for Families (last reviewed 2026-09-18) Childcare.gov (Administration for Children and Families). Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 6.Warning Signs: State Child Care Assistance Policies 2025 National Women's Law Center. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 7.CCDF Family Co-Payments by State (January 2025) Administration for Children and Families, Office of Child Care. Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 8.42 U.S. Code 9858n, Definitions (Child Care and Development Block Grant Act) Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School (U.S. Code). Accessed October 9, 2026.
- 9.Understanding and finding child care in Pennsylvania Childcare.gov (Administration for Children and Families). Accessed October 16, 2026.