The Application for a Family Child Day Care License (L_027_F, Rev 5.2026) is the form the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) uses for a NEW family child day care license. It serves a person who plans to care for up to four, up to six, or seven to twelve children in a home. On this page you can fill out the form online on FillingPDF and download or print the completed PDF. The form itself says it must be submitted in person and must not be mailed.
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What is L_027_F?
The Application for a Family Child Day Care License is the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections (L&I) form for applying for a new license to operate a family child day care in a home, in one of three size categories.
The one-page form (L_027_F, Rev 5.2026, FORM - AB) has three parts and a signature block:
- Part A records the license type, the property address, the owner/operator, company details for a commercial building only, and the Philadelphia Business Tax # and Commercial Activity License # when the applicant has them.
- Part B asks the applicant to verify four items: City taxes, charges and fees are current; a valid Zoning Permit for the USE is provided with the application; a License Eligibility Report (LER) from the Philadelphia Department of Health for preparing and serving foods is provided; and a valid lead-free or lead-safe certification is submitted to the Department of Public Health.
- Part C lists limits and conditions on fire extinguishers, open-flame heaters and smoke alarms.
The form covers a NEW license only. A form note says all other childcare operations require approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (215-560-2807). The agency page explains that L&I licenses family child care providers and works with the Department of Public Health and other City and state partners.
Who needs to file L_027_F?
The main group is a person who wants a new family child day care license for a facility in Philadelphia, whether in their own home or at another location. The form asks for the full address of the family child day care and the contact details of the homeowner or facility operator.
- License types. You choose one: up to four children in your home, up to six children in your home, or seven to twelve children in your home.
- Owner/operator. The form states this must be a person, not a company.
- Commercial buildings. The company or employer name, address, email and phone are completed for a commercial building only.
- Part B. Applicants verify that City taxes, charges and fees are current and that the zoning, food-service and lead items are in place.
Do not use this form for any other childcare operation. The form says those require approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (215-560-2807). It is also for a NEW license: the form says to use it for a new application.
When to file L_027_F
Use this application when you want to apply for a NEW Family Child Day Care License. The form prints no due date and no renewal period.
Before you submit, have the Part B items ready, because the form says a valid Zoning Permit for the USE and a License Eligibility Report (LER) from the Philadelphia Department of Health are provided with the application. It also asks you to verify that all City of Philadelphia taxes, charges and fees are current and that a valid lead-free or lead-safe certification is submitted to the Department of Public Health.
The form does not state a processing time. For questions about timing, contact L&I through the agency page.
Documents you need
- Valid Zoning Permit for the USE, provided with the application; Part B asks you to verify it.
- License Eligibility Report (LER) from the Philadelphia Department of Health for preparing and serving of foods, provided with the application.
- Valid lead-free or lead-safe certification, which Part B says is submitted to the Department of Public Health.
How to fill out L_027_F
Select the license type
In Part A, select one: up to four (4) children, up to six (6) children, or seven (7) to twelve (12) children in your home.
Enter the property address
Under Property Information, write the full address of the location of the family child day care.
Enter owner/operator details
Write the Owner / Operator Name, address, email and phone number. This must be a person, not a company.
Add company details if applicable
Complete Company / Employer Name, address, email and phone number for a commercial building only; otherwise leave this block blank.
Enter license and tax numbers
Write your Philadelphia Business Tax # and your Commercial Activity License # in the License / Tax block.
Verify the Part B items
Check Yes for each statement that is true: City taxes, charges and fees are current; a valid Zoning Permit for the USE is provided; a License Eligibility Report (LER) is provided; and a valid lead-free or lead-safe certification is submitted to the Department of Public Health.
Read the Part C conditions
Part C has no entries. It lists the fire extinguisher, open-flame heater and smoke alarm requirements that apply to the facility, with different alarm rules for six or fewer children and for seven to twelve.
Sign and date the declaration
The Owner's / Operator's Signature and Date certify that the statements are true and correct to the best of your knowledge and belief.
Review and download the completed PDF
Check each entry, then download or print the completed PDF from FillingPDF. Bring it, with the Part B documents, to be submitted in person as described under How to submit.
How to submit L_027_F
Submit the application in person; the form is marked DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION and states it must be submitted in person. The agency page describes two routes:
- In person: take the application to the Permit and License Center in the Municipal Services Building (MSB) Concourse.
- Online: the agency page says you can apply for a Family Child Care License online. Start from the L&I child care materials page.
- By mail: not accepted. The form and the agency page both say not to mail the application.
Bring the items Part B says are provided with the application: the valid Zoning Permit for the USE and the License Eligibility Report (LER) from the Philadelphia Department of Health. The lead-free or lead-safe certification is submitted to the Department of Public Health. The form does not list a fee or an address for filing, so check the agency page. FillingPDF lets you fill out and download the PDF; submission follows the channels above.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Mailing the application. The form is marked DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION and says it must be submitted in person.
- Using this form for anything other than a NEW license, or for another childcare operation, which the form says needs approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Child Development and Early Learning.
- Selecting more than one license type in Part A; the form says to select one.
- Listing a company as the Owner / Operator; the form says it must be a person, not a company.
- Completing the Company / Employer block for a building that is not commercial; it is for a commercial building only.
- Verifying Part B without a valid Zoning Permit for the USE or the License Eligibility Report (LER) from the Department of Health in hand.
- Signing the declaration with a false statement; the form warns of possible revocation of licenses and other penalties.
- Leaving the signature or date blank in the Declaration and Signature block.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Family Child Day Care License application?
It is the City of Philadelphia Department of Licenses and Inspections form (L_027_F) used to apply for a new Family Child Day Care License. You choose a size: up to four, up to six, or seven to twelve children in your home.
Can I mail the family child day care license application?
No. The form is marked DO NOT MAIL THIS APPLICATION and says it must be submitted in person. The agency page repeats this and says you can also apply online or take the application to the Permit and License Center in the MSB Concourse.
Where do I submit the Philadelphia family child day care license application?
Take it to the Permit and License Center in the Municipal Services Building (MSB) Concourse, or apply online through the City's child care materials page. The form does not print a street address or a fee, so confirm details with L&I.
What documents go with the application?
Part B says a valid Zoning Permit for the USE and a License Eligibility Report (LER) from the Philadelphia Department of Health are provided with the application. A valid lead-free or lead-safe certification is submitted to the Department of Public Health.
Can a company be the owner/operator on the application?
No. The form says the Owner / Operator must be a person, not a company. A company or employer name and address are entered only when the child day care is in a commercial building.
Can I use this form for a day care for more than twelve children?
No. This form covers up to twelve children. A note on it says all other childcare operations require approval from the Pennsylvania Department of Public Welfare, Office of Child Development and Early Learning (215-560-2807).
Can I fill out the family child day care license application online?
You can fill out the PDF online on FillingPDF and download or print it. FillingPDF is independent, is not affiliated with the City of Philadelphia and does not submit the application; you submit it through L&I's channels.
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