Taking care of your toddler

Nurturing your child's healthy body and growing mind.

As your baby grows into a toddler, Philly Loves Families is ready with support and resources to help you nurture your child through this exciting period of growth.

Toddlers are on the move, physically and developmentally. We're here to help you—and them—thrive.

We're happy to provide support and connect you with resources like The Free Library of Philadelphia, Philly Families CAN, Pre-K services, and more!

Child care
  • Philadelphia’s Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) can help you find quality child care and apply for financial support to pay for child care. To learn more, visit the ELRC website or call 1-888-461-KIDS (888-461-5437).
  • Expanding access to affordable, quality early childhood education is one of the City’s top education priorities. Since 2017, the City has funded free, quality pre-K for thousands of three- and four-year-olds through PHLpreK.
    Use these resources to find a program for your family:
  • Visit the PHLpreK website or call the hotline at 1 (844) PHL-PREK (844-745-7735).
  • Explore free pre-K offered by the School District of Philadelphia.
  • Explore free kindergarten offered by the School District of Philadelphia.
  • Other resources for finding child care in Philadelphia are available here.
Staying active
Growing bodies

Bring books into your home for free

The Free Library of Philadelphia is a great way to bring books into your home. Membership is free! Take your kids often to your nearest branch and let them explore and select books that interest them. Be sure to ask about special children's programs such as story hours.

Find a Free Library location near you

Get easy tips to boost your child's learning from Ready4K

Get free text messages with easy tips on how to turn everyday moments into teachable ones (for ages 0-5). Each week, Ready4K texts three tips, facts, and messages that help build language and literacy skills.

The best part is they offer in-the-moment reminders, making it easy to fit preparing our children for school into our everyday routines. Texts are FREE and available in English and Spanish.

Click to learn more about Ready4K

Or TEXT "Readyby4th" to 70138 to sign up.

Free support for you and your family, on your terms.

You can get the helpful guidance and know-how of a Support Professional who comes to you.

Your Support Professional will be there through every stage of what can be the most joyful—yet challenging—times of your life.

Connect with Philly Families CAN

Join the community of
Philly Families

Looking to connect with families around you or learn from experts? Discover groups and events on parent support, nutrition, infant feeding, pregnancy tips, and more!

Find an event