YORK, PA — State officials on Wednesday urged child care providers across Pennsylvania to apply for a new recruitment and retention program offering cash bonuses to workers, as the application deadline approaches.
Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Executive Deputy Secretary Andrew Barnes and Office of Child Development and Early Learning Deputy Secretary Shante’ Brown visited York Day Early Learning to promote the Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program, which closes Thursday, January 29, 2026.
The program, funded through Governor Josh Shapiro’s 2025–26 budget, provides $450 per employee to licensed Child Care Works providers in an effort to address workforce shortages and expand child care availability statewide. Applications must be submitted online before the deadline.
“Every child in Pennsylvania deserves access to excellent early learning opportunities, and every child care provider deserves fair compensation for the vital work they do every day,” Barnes said during the visit. He said high-quality child care supports child development while allowing parents to work and participate in the economy, adding that the administration is encouraging eligible providers to apply before time runs out.
Sara Bradley, executive director of York Day Early Learning, said the funding is a meaningful step for a sector that has long struggled with compensation and staffing stability. She said the new budget line item and recruitment and retention funding could help ease financial pressure on child care professionals and strengthen the workforce families rely on.
The 2025–26 budget allocates $25 million for retention bonuses for an estimated 55,000 child care workers statewide, as well as funds to help providers recruit new staff and open additional classrooms. Eligible providers must apply through their Early Learning Resource Center, which will distribute retention payments between February 9 and May 22, 2026.
After retention bonuses are paid, any remaining funds will be distributed to providers as recruitment payments for newly hired staff, with providers able to request funding for employees they plan to hire before June 30, 2026.
State officials say staffing shortages continue to limit child care capacity, with an estimated 3,000 unfilled child care jobs statewide. If filled, those positions could allow as many as 25,000 additional children to access care, according to the department.
More information about the Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program is available through the Department of Human Services. Details on certified providers and the Child Care Works program can be found at www.findchildcare.pa.gov.
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