Being a single parent is rife with challenges. These challenges are made more difficult when one has a child with special needs and not a surplus of money to pay for the assistance you may need. This is applicable to both men and women. There are resources to obtain help from the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania when child care is a necessity to go to a job, go to school or attend a training program. The amount and type of assistance is typically determined by income level, the cage of the child and the special needs if any, of your child.
The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania offers pre-Kindergarten and head start programs. Pre-K is free to eligible families.
The website to obtain this information is: https://www.compass.state.pa.us/Compass.Web/Public/CMPHome
Use this pdf to find help for your child / family in Philadelphia County:
http://www.health.pa.gov/My%20Health/Documents/Philadelphia%20County%20Resource%20Guide.pdf