Personnel costs have a huge impact on the overall cost of child care. According to a 2020 study about the true cost of care in PA, “Personnel costs constituted 80% of total child care costs, at the median, with a significant number of providers exceeding 70%.” The child to staff ratios in child care play a big role. For example, there’s a required ratio of 4:1 infants per staff member in the PA child care regulations. I’m not arguing for changes there (I can’t imagine caring for 2 infants on my own, let alone 4), just sharing another perspective about what can drive cost in this sector.

This report from the PA Department of Human Services may have some data you’d be interested in reviewing. The Office of Child Development and Early Learning is required to do a market rate survey of child care providers every three years. Keep an eye out for an updated report sometime this year.