Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has announced details covering everything from eligibility and staff retention bonuses to application information regarding its 2025-26 Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program.
Learn More
The recruitment program is a funding opportunity for certified child care programs that maintains a Child Care Works (CCW) Certified Provider Agreement. The intent of the program is to support existing child care staff and recruitment within the field.
The 2025-26 enacted state budget includes $25 million for retention and recruitment funding to qualified DHS-certified providers. Qualified staff are eligible for a retention bonus. To the extent that funding is available, qualified child care providers may receive funds to provide new qualified hires with a recruitment bonus.
To prepare qualified providers for the release of the recruitment and retention program application period, OCDEL’s announcement includes details on the following:
- Provider eligibility
- Staff retention bonuses
- Staff recruitment bonuses
- Application
- Funding and spending requirements
- Final expenditure report
- Monitoring information
- Timeline
- Next steps
Qualified providers must submit a completed application to their regional Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) by Thursday, January 29.
For more information, read OCDEL’s announcement.
