May 7, 2020 Preparation for Reopening SAC During COVID-19 Certified School Age Care (SAC) providers are invited to join the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) on May 7 for an online conversation with OCDEL Deputy Secretary, Tracy Campanini, to hear important information about preparing for reopening during COVID-19. Registration To join the conversation, visit this Zoom link and insert the password: 022124. Individuals can also join via phone by calling 312.626.6799 and inserting the Meeting ID: 957 4116 2918. Pre-registration is not required. Share this flyer with your network.
August 8, 2019 PQAS Instructors Invited to Apply for New Cohort To help professionals build knowledge, skills, and confidence in facilitating professional learning, WIDA recently established their Early Years Professional Learning Cohort. About The Early Years Professional Learning Cohort is a long-term professional learning program that helps participants build the knowledge and skills required to facilitate local professional learning. This program is intended for professionals who: are PQAS-certified; currently work in the early care and education field; can design, develop, and facilitate professional learning; have the ability to offer professional development through the PA PD Registry; and have access to early learning programs where they can facilitate professional learning for ECE educators. Selected participants will be asked to sign an acknowledgment and agreement document. Face-to-Face Sessions Selected participants will be required to attend four face-to-face sessions in State College, Pennsylvania on the following dates: September 10–12, 2019 October 8–9, 2019 November 13–14, 2019 March 11, 2020 Applications With 20 available spaces, applicants are accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. Application quality and geographic location will be considered. Applications must be submitted by August 16, 2019. To apply, visit the online application form. More Information To learn more about the cohort, read the program overview document. For more detailed information, read the program participant guide. For questions, contact Barry Wiestling at bwiestling@pa.gov. PQAS Certification Workgroup This fall, Trying Together will launch a workgroup to help early care and education, and other interested professionals achieve their PQAS Instructor Certification. Once certified, these individuals will be able to deliver professional development training through the PA PD Registry. To receive more information about the Workgroup, complete the form below. For questions, contact Jasmine Davis at jasmine@tryingtogether.org or 412.567.3933. [ninja_form id=16]
November 19, 2018 OCDEL Releases Four New Vodcasts The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Bureau of Certification released four new vodcasts containing important information about operating a child care facility. These 10-15 minute videos can easily be shared with early learning staff, linked within an email or on a website, or shared via social media. Vodcast Topics Child Protective Services Law Vodcast This video details the requirements for child care providers in meeting the Child Protective Service Law (CPSL) and the importance of these requirements. Child care providers and other employees who have contact with children are responsible for obtaining the proper clearances and ensuring that clearances are obtained within the proper time frame. Requirements for an Effective Director of Child Care Center Vodcast Child care directors are responsible for the overall management of a successful child care center. This video explains the commitments directors must make to ensure proper communication with staff and parents, maintain up-to-date child and staff files, have knowledge of the Pennsylvania child care regulations, and provide oversight for the overall health and safety of children in care. Supervision Vodcast Supervision is the most critical requirement in keeping children healthy and safe while they are in care. Staff must always be able to see, hear, direct and assess children at all times in order to provide proper supervision. This video is helpful in providing a more in-depth look at supervision, as well as guidance to help staff meet this requirement. Writing a Plan of Correction Vodcast All certified child care facilities are required to undergo an annual inspection. Many times, a facility is in full compliance with all the regulations. However, there are occasions when the Legal Entity has to be cited for non-compliance with one or more of the child care regulations. This video explains the process for writing and submitting a plan of correction for regulatory violations that your certification representative may cite during a licensing inspection. Visit the Pennsylvania Department of Human Services website for the complete listing. *Information provided by NAEYC*
