August 16, 2022 Obsolete Certification Announcements for Child Care Providers Participating in Keystone STARS The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development and Bureau of Certification Services have issued that several Announcements for certified child care providers participating in Keystone STARS have been sunset or rendered obsolete. About With the launch of the streamlined Keystone STARS designation system and the 2022 Keystone STARS Performance Standards, there are numerous policy announcements that are either sunset or obsolete. The following policy announcement is sunset effective July 1, 2022: ELRC Announcement 21 #05 Keystone STARS During COVID-19 The following policy announcements are obsolete due to the issuance of ELRC Announcement 22 #04 Keystone STARS Performance Standards and Program Manual on May 16, 2022: ELRC Announcement 20 #12 Keystone STARS Performance Standards and Program Manual ELRC Announcement 20 #14 Keystone STARS Designation for FY 2021 ELRC Announcement 20 #16 Internal Assessment Process (IAP) Guide For details, read OCDEL’s full announcement.
August 15, 2022 Updated COVID-19 Operation Guidance for ECE Programs On August 11, 2022, the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released updated information on COVID-19 operational guidance for Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs. About The updated Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning includes the following changes: removal of the recommendation to cohort the recommendation to conduct screening testing now focuses on high-risk activities during high COVID-19 Community Level or in response to an outbreak removal of the recommendation to quarantine, except in high-risk congregate settings removal about “test to stay” information added detailed information on when to wear a mask, managing cases and exposures, and responding to outbreaks This guidance can help ECE program administrators support safe, in-person learning and keep programs open, while managing the spread of COVID-19. Based on the COVID-19 Community Levels, this guidance provides flexibility so schools and ECE programs can adapt to changing local situations, including periods of increased community health impacts from COVID-19.
August 11, 2022 August is National Immunization Awareness Month National Immunization Awareness Month is an annual observance held in August to highlight the importance of vaccination for people of all ages. About The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is encouraging parents to ensure their children’s immunizations are up to date as part of back-to-school preparations. COVID-19 disrupted both in-person learning and routine well-child visits for many children over the last year. As a result, many children have fallen behind on receiving recommended vaccines. According to the CDC, public sector vaccine ordering data show a 14% drop in 2020-2021 compared to 2019, and measles vaccine is down by more than 20%. The national vaccination coverage among kindergarten children during the 2020-2021 school year dropped by about 1% from the previous year— that amounts to 35,000 more children without vaccination documents. Here is a list of resources for educators and parents including information on vaccines, immunization schedules, and answers to frequently asked questions: American Academy of Pediatrics – Healthy Children.org Immunization page: CDC easy-to-read immunization schedules CDC’s vaccine website for parents and Infant Immunization FAQs CDC’s series of three 1-minute videos The Vaccines for Children (VFC) Program, which provides free vaccines to children who qualify
August 10, 2022 Trying Together Hosts Virtual Meeting to Discuss Proposed Child Care Certification Regulation Changes OCDEL has invited early childhood professionals to use the OCDEL Certification Regulation Rewrite Project Feedback Tool by August 19, 2022 to submit feedback on proposed changes to drafted proposed child care certification regulations. In preparation of the public input submission deadline, Trying Together is hosting its OCDEL Certification Regulation Rewrite Project Feedback Meeting on Tuesday, August 16 at Noon. This brainstorming session will serve to discuss proposed changes, as well as give an opportunity for child care professionals to discuss their suggested changes in a peer-to-peer environment. This meeting will be presented virtually on Zoom. WHEN: Tuesday, 8/16 | 12 p.m. – 2 p.m. ET Please register in advance for this meeting: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYudeGgqj8sHt1nXheWUPyaGz7Vpx8d_8e1 MORE INFORMATION Visit our recent post on the Certification Rewrite Project to learn more about the process, timeline, and how to participate.
OCDEL Encourages Participation for Next Phase of Child Care Regulations Rewrite Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), with technical assistance from the State Capacity Building Center within the Office of Child Care Projects at the federal level, continues its work with an Ad-Hoc Subcommittee to rewrite Pennsylvania’s child care regulations with a lens toward equity, quality, and decreasing provider burden. OCDEL is now inviting early childhood professionals to submit feedback using the OCDEL Certification Regulation Rewrite Project Feedback Tool by August 19, 2022. TIMELINE OCDEL anticipates beginning the work of the ELC subcommittee in the winter of 2022. The earliest that regulations could be finalized for publication is fall of 2024. MORE INFORMATION Visit the Certification Rewrite page on the Pennsylvania Key’s website to view a video from Deputy Secretary Tracey Campanini, and learn more about the process, timeline, and how to participate. If you have issues accessing OCDEL Certification Regulation Rewrite Project Feedback Tool, email info@pakeys.org or call 1-800-284-6031.
Increased Funding for 2022-23 School and Child Care Meals The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced on July 22, 2022 an increase in funding to help schools continue to serve kids healthy meals during the 2022-23 school year and to provide financial relief for schools and child care providers. About Effective July 1, 2022, the reimbursement schools receive for each meal served will increase by approximately $0.68 per free/reduced-price lunch and $0.32 per free/reduced price breakfast. Overall, reimbursement rates this year for the Child and Adult Care Food Program increased compared to last year. These rates are effective from July 1, 2022 through June 30, 2023. View the complete reimbursement rates, including rates for paid school meals and child care meals, on the USDA website.
August 9, 2022 Free Early Literacy Materials for PA Early Learning Programs The Office of Commonwealth Libraries has developed a series of print resources to share early literacy tips with families and caregivers of babies, toddlers, and preschoolers. (This article was updated on February 2, 2023 to reflect that the period of time to request materials has expired.) Available Early Literacy Materials These brochures are available at no cost to Pennsylvania early learning programs. The materials include: Healthy Bodies Brochure: A selection of books that promote healthy eating or gives adults the opportunity to have a conversation about healthy choices. It also includes books that get kids up stretching and moving. Caregivers can order in increments of 50 – the maximum order is 500. Cruise Into Kindergarten Activity Cards (Pack): This set of 16 cards provides simple activities for adults and preschoolers to do together, including rhyme suggestions. Topics include STEAM and other topics addressed in PA Standards for an Early Childhood. Caregivers can order in increments of 25 sets – the maximum order is 250. 101 Great Picture Books for Preschoolers: This list includes a wide variety of old and new favorites, award winners, fiction and non-fiction books for preschoolers. It also serves as an introduction to great authors and illustrators. Caregivers can order in increments of 50 – the maximum order is 500. Cruise Into Kindergarten (available in English and Spanish): This brochure provides tips on early learning in areas such as literacy, math, science, the arts and community from a child’s point of view. One side is a gameboard and markers for adults to play a fun game that includes experiences geared to activities that the child is proud to show off and/or needs to learn. Caregivers can order in increments of 50 – the maximum order is 500. Early Literacy Brochure Ages 0-2: This brochure helps adults start the very youngest on a road to reading with tips and book suggestions for babies and young toddlers. Caregivers can order in increments of 50 – the maximum order is 500. Early Literacy Brochure Ages 2-3: Tips for activities, stories and more are included in this brochure that also lets families know that sitting still is not on a toddler’s list of things to do. Caregivers can order in increments of 50 – the maximum order is 500. Early Literacy Brochure Ages 4-5: Books and literacy tips that give adults more ideas for longer, more involved stories and ideas for getting kids ready to learn. Caregivers can order in increments of 50 – the maximum order is 500. Order Materials Caregivers can obtain the materials above by filling out the online order form (03/02/2023 UPDATE: The period of time to request materials has expired). This project was made possible with Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Commonwealth Libraries.
August 8, 2022 Sesame Street Family Engagement in a Box Child care providers who serve families and children from ages birth to five are eligible to apply to receive a Sesame Street Family Engagement in a Box from WQED. Family Engagement in a Box WQED is looking for child care providers who want to host family engagement events and receive resources for their classroom. WQED will select 10 applicants to receive a Sesame Street themed event in a box to use with their families. Selected locations will also receive a stipend to purchase snacks/food and support staff time. Selected locations will be asked to sign an MOU that stipulates that they will: Host the event Take and share photos with WQED Submit a budget Attend a post-event professional development event with WQED Child care providers who are not selected will receive a digital toolkit to host an event on their own. Visit the WQED website to apply for the Sesame Street Family Engagement in a Box opportunity. Questions should be directed to education@wqed.org.
August 3, 2022 2022 Market Rate Survey Webinar The Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) will be hosting a webinar for child care providers who want to learn more about the 2022 Market Rate Survey. About the Market Rate Survey Every two years, the federal government requires that states conduct a Market Rate Survey of child care. Information from the Market Rate Survey provides the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) with important data to compare private pay prices with the Child Care Works (CCW) base rate reimbursements. Rather than pulling information from Provider Self-Service as conducted in 2016 and 2019, this year the Market Rate Survey requires child care providers to fill out a survey form. Webinar Information The webinar, 2022 Market Rate Survey and YOU, will take place on August 17, 2022, at 11 a.m. Topics will include the importance of the Market Rate Survey, the elements of the survey, and how the information may be used. There will be time for questions and discussion. The team from Penn State Harrisburg, Institute of State and Regional Affairs who are coordinating the survey collection and evaluation will be joining the webinar. They will also share the new complementary study they are working on to assess the Cost of Care. Register for the 2022 Market Rate Survey and YOU Webinar.
August 2, 2022 COVID-19 Best Practices for Child Care: Vaccinations The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has developed best practices for early learning professionals navigating COVID-19 protocols in their child care programs. On July 25, OCDEL updated its best practices around vaccinations in child care settings due to the authorization of the vaccine in children ages six months and older. About To keep child care providers informed on the latest best practices for keeping children, staff, and families safe during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Pennsylvania Key created a webpage that highlights recommended best practices. The latest information is about COVID-19 vaccinations in child care settings. Since many child care programs serve children ages six months and older who are now eligible for COVID-19 vaccination, it is important to inform parents and caregivers that COVID-19 vaccination for children is highly recommended. The rollout of the COVID-19 vaccinations for children ages six months and older will take time, so there will continue to be a mix of vaccinated and unvaccinated individuals in child care programs. Therefore, it’s very important to use multiple prevention strategies to protect people, including vaccination of staff, families, and eligible children. The PA Key offers information about: how programs can use supportive policies and practices for people to get vaccinated as easily and conveniently as possible; how families can learn about how child care programs are using CDC guidance and procedures; and vaccine resources. For more information, visit the PA Key website.
