Looking to receive a Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential? Trying Together is offering a CDA program at no cost to eligible early childhood professionals in Pennsylvania.

A CDA Credential is the most widely recognized credential in the early childhood field and is a key stepping stone on the path to career advancement. The credential enables professionals to work in Head Start and Early Head Start classrooms, in addition to early learning programs across the United States, and provides opportunities for increased pay.

Trying Together’s CDA Programs

Trying Together is offering its Fall CDA program beginning August 29, 2023. A Spring CDA program will begin in February 2024.

Participants can matriculate CDA program coursework into 9-12 college credits at Carlow University, CCAC, or Westmoreland County Community College (WCCC).

Educators in the community based CDA program:

• participate in distance learning through in-person, online self-paced Schoology, and Zoom sessions

• complete 135 hours of professional development over six to nine months focused on the practice knowledge and skills needed to get credentialed

• receive individualized support from experienced instructors

• review current early childhood health and safety standards, ECE literature and resources, strategies on building positive relationships, strategies for implementing observations and assessments, etc.

• focus on the completion of CDA Credential Portfolio requirements, preparing for the exam, and completing the application process

• explore current early childhood theories, research, and best practices

• have access to laptop lending

Apply

Those interested in Trying Together’s CDA Credential Preparation Program should complete the  CDA Credential Program Interest Form. NOTE: This form is for inquiry purposes only and is only available to professionals in Pennsylvania.

After completing the form, a member of the Trying Together staff will contact you to determine your eligibility and identify a CDA pathway that works best for you.

Learn More

More information about the program and eligibility requirements can be found on Trying Together’s CDA webpage.

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning’s (OCDEL) Bureau of Certification issued a newsletter with regulation reminders for child care providers to keep in mind during the summer months.

About

Though providers are required to comply with all regulations associated with their facility, the following regulation reminders addressed in the Bureau of Certification’s newsletter are specific to warmer temperatures and summer activities, such as:

• Ventilation

• Ensuring adequate hydration for children

• Indoor temperature requirements

• Water activity safety – swimming, wading, water play tables

• Supervision/ Child-staff ratios

• Transportation

Read the full Summer 2023 newsletter for details.

Six Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Announcements issued in 2008, 2011, 2013, and 2017 are now obsolete.

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During 2008, 2011, 2013, and 2017 OCDEL issued Announcements to reflect requirements that evolved from trends at the time of distribution.  Either the conditions that caused the Announcements to be issued no longer exist, the pertinent information has been added to the child care regulations, or is included in other document(s). The Announcements are:

• C-08-01: Capacity on Certificate of Compliance

• C-08-02: Proof of Liability Insurance

• C-08-05, Impact of Change in Equivalencies of CDA and CCP Credentials

• C-08-07, Compliance with Regulations Relating to Recalled Toys and Equipment and Affirmation Form (Attachment)

• C-11-02, Revised Child Care Staff Health Assessment

• C-13-01, Announced Renewal Inspections Scheduled within a 30-Day Range

Read the full announcement for more details.

The Pennsylvania Nutrition and Physical Activity Self-Assessment for Child Care (PA NAPSACC) program is seeking licensed child care providers to apply for a children’s wellness grant. Applications are due by September 15 2023.

About the Grant

Through the project, providers should help children form positive nutrition and physical activity habits while in their care.

The PA NAPSACC program focuses on obesity prevention practices and policies within early care and education settings. The program utilizes Go NAPSACC, an online, evidence-based tool, to guide providers through self-assessment, action planning, implementation, policy development, re-self-assessment, and reflection.

Programs will also be linked with a Child Care Health Consultant (CCHC) at no cost to the site. The CCHC will review current nutrition and physical activity practices and policies, assist with developing sustainable policies, and offer guidance for continuous quality improvement.

Providers who participate and complete project requirements will receive up to $500 in grant funding to support staff time and/or any materials and resources needed. For STAR 3 and 4 programs, participation in all components of the PA NAPSACC Wellness Grant satisfies Keystone STARS performance standard LM.3.4.10 (utilizing a health care consultant to establish and maintain health policies above those required by certification) as well as bonus points area Partnerships with Families and Communities (participating in an organized effort to promote nutritional health for children).

APPLY

Applications are due September 15, 2023, and chosen participants will be notified on September 29, 2023. Details are available on the Keystone Kids Go website.

To apply, please complete and submit the electronic application. For more information, contact Cindy Wilson at Tuscarora Intermediate Unit, at 717.248.4942 x 143 or cjwilson@tiu11.org.

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released two announcements: C-23-01 Fire Safety Requirements for Group Child Care Homes (in a residence) and Family Child Care Homes and C-23-02 Fire Safety Requirements for Child Care Centers and Group Child Care Homes (in a Commercial Space).

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The announcements describe the fire safety requirements for Department of Human Services (DHS) certified child care programs.

All DHS certified group child care homes (in a residence) and family child care homes must maintain compliance with the fire safety laws contained in the Human Services Code; the Fire and Panic Act (family child care homes only); the Pennsylvania Construction Code; and regulations relating to smoke alarms or systems. Smoke alarms or systems must always be operable.

All DHS certified child care centers and group child care homes (in a commercial space) must maintain compliance with the fire safety laws contained in the Human Services Code, the Pennsylvania Construction Code, and regulations relating to fire detection devices or systems. Fire detection devices or systems must always be operable.

The guidance also applies to school-age programs (in a residence) not located in a school building.

For full details, please see the Announcements C-23-01 Fire Safety Requirements for Group Child Care Homes (in a residence) and Family Child Care Homes and C-23-02 Fire Safety Requirements for Child Care Centers and Group Child Care Homes (in a Commercial Space).

Parents and caregivers should be aware of several child-related product recalls.

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Here is a list of July recalls collected from the following major federal agencies: the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration, and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

• Pottery Barn Kids recalled Penny Convertible Cribs due to laceration hazard.
• Soojimus recalled CUPKIN Stainless Steel Children’s Cups due to violation of Federal Lead Content Ban.
• woom Bikes USA recalled woom ORIGINAL Kids’ Bicycles due to fall hazard.
• CaTeam recalled Canvas Baby Hammock Swings due to suffocation hazard; violation of Safe Sleep for Babies Act.

More Information

For recall details, visit the links above or review the Consumer Product Safety Commission, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration websites.

Parents Promoting Early Learning is seeking parents and their two-year-old (up to 36 months) and four-year old children to research how children learn and think.

About

The research involves understanding how parents help their children learn and develop through everyday activities.

Parents and children will be observed during interactions, as well as complete a few assessments during home visits. Parents will also fill out a questionnaire and complete phone interviews.

Requirements

Participants must complete:

• • two to three online video calls where the parent and child complete games and assessments,
  • questionnaires and interviews about the child’s development and activities, and
  • a one-year follow-up visit for more games and assessments.

Participants will be compensated for their time.

Enrollment

If you are interested in enrolling, complete the study contact form.

More Information

For questions, please contact ppel@pitt.edu or 412.204.6845.