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Tag: ECE

Let’s Talk Quality Series: Art

News

March 3, 2022

Let’s Talk Quality Series: Art

Join the Program Quality Assessment (PQA) team for the upcoming Let’s Talk Quality Series. The Let’s Talk Quality Series includes three monthly activities – Let’s Talk Quality Blog, Let’s Talk Quality Webinar, and the newest, Let’s Talk Quality Spotlight. Each month the PQA team will publish a blog article, create a webinar, and offer a spotlight session focused on a particular early education topic. The topic for March is Art.

Register to join the one-hour Let’s Talk Quality Webinar:

Register to join the one-hour Spotlight session where members of the PQA team will answer your questions and be available for discussion about this month’s topic and other PQA related topics:

Additional details, as well as the monthly blog post for this topic, can be found on the PQA website.

 

PD Registry Spanish Speaking Virtual Office Hours

News

PD Registry Spanish Speaking Virtual Office Hours

The Pennsylvania Key will host recurring office hours for Spanish speaking early childhood education providers interested in learning more about the Professional Development (PD) Registry.

About

The PD registry is a system for the workforce that connects to many of the OCDEL initiatives for early childhood education programs in Pennsylvania. Office hours will be held the same day, at two times of the day to meet the needs of both center and family child care settings. Below is a list of topics to be discussed during office hours.

Please note, that a Spanish speaking provider can connect to any of the office hours with questions related to the PD Registry. Spanish Speaking providers can also reach the PD Registry help desk by sending an email (in Spanish) to registry@pakeys.org. Please put “AYUDA” in the subject line.

Session Details

  • Career Pathway Applications

    • March 9, 2022 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

  • Finding PD on the Register

    • April 6, 2022 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

  • PD Registry and Keystone STARS

    • May 4, 2022 | 1:30 – 2:30 p.m. and 6:30 – 7:30 p.m.

All meetings can be accessed on Zoom.

Share this flyer with your networks. (English) (Spanish)

Child Care Career Openings in the Pittsburgh Area

News

February 24, 2022

Child Care Career Openings in the Pittsburgh Area

Are you looking for open child care positions? Early learning programs in the Greater Pittsburgh Area are hiring! See featured jobs for this week.

 

 

Child Care Positions in Pittsburgh

  • Early Childhood Teachers

    Tender Care Learning Centers has open teacher positions, assistant teacher positions, and floater positions for both full-time and part-time schedules.

 

Submit a Job

Each week, Trying Together highlights employer-submitted jobs on our website, social media, and in our newsletter.

All jobs submitted after Tuesday each week will be published in the following week’s news post. Publication dates may vary due to state and federal holidays. Unrelated jobs will not be included.

For questions, contact Kara Bayer at kara@tryingtogether.org.

Other Jobs in Early Childhood

ECE Hire

Visit the ECE Hire website to view early childhood education job listings and helpful tips on interviewing, resumes, and more.

Submit a Job to PACCA

Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) offers a Job Board for its members to post jobs for free and sends out submitted jobs via their Facebook page and e-newsletter. PACCA members can submit jobs online after signing into their membership account. For questions, contact Maureen Murphy at maureen.murphy@pacca.org.

 

 

Receive Jobs in Your Inbox

To receive the latest job opportunities, subscribe to our newsletter and follow us on Facebook.

Child Care Providers Needed for Keystone STARS Focus Groups

News

February 3, 2022

Child Care Providers Needed for Keystone STARS Focus Groups

Early childhood education providers working in Pennsylvania child care who have knowledge of, or experience with, the Keystone STARS system are invited to participate in an online focus group in February.

About

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) wants to learn more about the experience of leaders of center-based, family child care, and group child care providers with the Keystone STARS quality rating and improvement system, what is working, what is not working and how the system could be improved.

Register

Focus groups will be held virtually through Zoom on the following days and times, and will last no more than two hours:

  • For all providers: February 10, 2022 at 9:30 a.m.

  • For family child care home providers: February 17, 2022 at 6 p.m.

  • For all providers: February 19, 2022 at 1 p.m.

Share this flyer with your networks..

CDC Updates COVID-19 Guidance ECE/Child Care Program Operations

News

January 28, 2022

CDC Updates COVID-19 Guidance ECE/Child Care Program Operations

On January 28, 2022, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has released updated information for COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs.

About

The CDC’s updates include guidance to reflect new quarantine and isolation guidance and recommendations, specifying the circumstances when isolation and quarantine periods can be shortened, and updated guidance regarding staying up to date with COVID-19 vaccines.

Key takeaways and updates include:

  • Isolation and quarantine periods can be reduced to five days for people who can consistently wear well-fitting masks, as long as they remain symptom free, or fever has ended and symptoms have improved. For details, see CDC’s page on Quarantine and Isolation.

  • Layered COVID-19 prevention strategies remain critical to protect people, including children and staff, who are not up to date or eligible for COVID-19 vaccines, especially in areas of moderate-to-high community transmission levels.

  • Promotion of vaccination among all eligible individuals can help Early Care and Education (ECE) programs protect staff and children in their care, as well as their families.

Though these are not mandates, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) recommends that child care programs follow the CDC COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs.

Updates to Health and Safety Training Requirements for Child Care Providers

News

January 27, 2022

Updates to Health and Safety Training Requirements for Child Care Providers

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has issued an announcement updating health and safety training requirements for child care providers.

About

Due to updated guidance on the federal requirements for Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG), all staff in certified child care programs must have preservice or orientation training (to be completed within three months) and an annual minimum of 12 hours in health and safety professional development in topics including:

  • pediatric first aid and pediatric cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

  • safe sleep practices, including risk reduction of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome/Sudden Unexplained Infant Death (SIDS/SUID)

  • prevention and control of infectious diseases (including immunizations)

  • prevention of and response to emergencies due to food and allergic reactions

  • prevention of shaken baby syndrome/abusive head trauma/child maltreatment

  • building and physical premises safety

  • emergency preparedness and response planning

  • handling and storing hazardous materials

  • safely transporting children

  • mandated reporter training

Until pre-trainings have been completed, staff can’t care for children unsupervised. All child care staff, who have not already completed the required health and safety trainings, will be expected to show completion and documentation by April 29, 2022.

Find Required Trainings

The pre-service training is available on the Better Kid Care (BKC) website. The BKC’s online pre-service training courses meet the CCDBG health and safety required training topics and are the only modules that meet the pre-service training requirements for all child care staff.

Health and safety training topics can be found on the Professional Development (PD) Registry. Recognition and Reporting of Child Abuse and Neglect (Mandated Reporter Training) is available through Keep Kids Safe. Additional training options include PA Child Welfare Resource Center and PA Family Support Alliance.

All child care staff must have documentation and verification of completion of preservice training and on-going annual professional development retained in the facility person’s file or maintained in an electronic PD Registry. The documentation must include, but is not limited to:

  • Signature of representative or trainer of the professional development entity

  • Title of a representative or trainer of the professional development entity

  • Date professional development training was completed

Questions

Read the full announcement for more information and details. Child care providers can direct comments and questions regarding this announcement to their Regional Office of Child Development and Early Learning. The Western Region office number is 800-222-2149.

Communities of Practice: Summer Programming – Ideas and Resources

News

January 25, 2022

Communities of Practice: Summer Programming – Ideas and Resources

ELRC Region 5 offers Communities of Practice (COP) for early learning professionals to discuss topics of interest, current trends in the field, and offer insight and inspiration to one another.

In February, ELRC Region 5 will provide an opportunity for early education childcare directors, administrators, and classroom staff to learn more about summer programming ideas and local community partnership programs. Participants will have the opportunity to connect and network with fellow colleagues and peers.

Registration is required for this session. 1.5 PQAS credit hours will be available. To receive credit, participants must complete the PD Registry Credit Request Form (in addition to the registration form).

Registration

Thursday, 02/17/22

For questions, please contact Jillian Miller at jillian.elrc5@alleghenycounty.us or 412-670-0684. If you have any questions about receiving credit, please contact Allison Hritz at allison@tryingtogether.org.

Registration Open for UnConference: Creating a Safe Place with Trauma-Informed Care

News

January 20, 2022

Registration Open for UnConference: Creating a Safe Place with Trauma-Informed Care

Registration is now open for Trying Together’s “UnConference: Creating a Safe Place with Trauma-Informed Care,” which will be held February 8 to February 18, 2022.

Between February 8-18, expert-led virtual workshops will share content related to trauma-informed care. We begin the UnConference with keynote speaker Dr. Veirdre Jackson and dive into how we can create an environment of healing through equity and trust. Following the keynote, workshop sessions include how to identify family stressors, how to provide responsive care-giving for children experiencing trauma, and an overview of the recently launched Rapid Response Team from Trying Together.

Registration is now open and specific workshop dates and times will be added. For a flat fee of $25, you may attend as many sessions (keynote or workshops) as you like. Sessions will also be recorded for viewing after the UnConference has completed. You must register for the UnConference in order to access session recordings.

PNC Grow Up Great is the series sponsor.

Featured Sessions

Keynote: Co-Creating A Healing Community of Equity & Trust

Tuesday, February 8, 2022 | 6:30 – 8 p.m. 
Keynote Speaker: Dr. Veirdre Jackson, Living Strong Consulting

Communities, however defined, are made up of people who bring a range of experiences and histories. Remaining open, curious, and culturally humble is essential to understanding a community’s resilience, strength, and wisdom. Claudia Woody says, “Inclusion means not ‘just we’re allowed to be there,’ but we are valued there.” Participants will explore the 5 Blocks of Building Restorative Relationships that allow caregivers to create holistic and supportive spaces that are responsive to historical trauma and equity literacy which holds us accountable to doing the work of learning together, seeking understanding, and creating a safe, valued, and heard community.

Rapid Response Team: Reducing Expulsions and Suspensions in Early Childhood Education

Thursday, February 10, 2022 |  6:30 – 8 p.m.
Presented by: Alicia Sebastian, Trying Together

This session will discuss the ongoing and growing issue surrounding expulsion and suspension in early childhood education that have been linked to staff implicit bias, challenging behaviors, and staffing issues. The presentation will guide parents, caregivers, directors and staff working with children ages 0-5 on how to prevent expulsion and suspension in early childhood education. The session will discuss ways to implement evidence-based strategies to promote positive behavior support, self-regulation, and positive mental health. We will share community resources and programs for children and families in Allegheny County.

Self-Care Isn’t Selfish, It’s Necessary: Practical Tools for Early Childhood Educators to Reduce Stress and Avoid Burn-Out

Monday, February 14, 2022  |  12:30 – 2 p.m.
Presented by: Tracy Larson, Director, Early Childhood Partnerships, Office of Child Development

In this session, participants will learn why self-care is necessary, how to recognize when they need to be more intentional about self-care, and research informed strategies and activities to reduce stress and avoid burn-out. At the end of the session, participants will create a personalized self-care plan.

Talking to Listen: Exploring Family Stressors and Creating Positive Relationships to Support Families

Tuesday, February 15, 2022 | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Presented by: Patrick M. McKelvey, MS, NCC, National Youth Advocate Program Inc.

Children react differently to stress and trauma, which can sometimes exhibit itself as challenging behaviors in the classroom. This workshop helps educators understand the impact that family stressors (such as a death, food insecurity, changes in placement, community violence, etc.) can have on both children and their caregivers. Participants will learn how to notice these family stressors; how to communicate with caregivers to build relationships that provide a supportive environment for young children; and self-regulation strategies to manage strong emotions when having difficult conversations with caregivers.

Teaching Children Through a Trauma Lens

Thursday February 17, 2022 | 6:30 – 8 p.m.
Presenters:  Amanda Harrison, MA, LPC, NCC, Infant Early Childhood Mental Health Consultant with the PA Keys

Research continues to show the detrimental effects that complex trauma has on the developing brain with our most vulnerable population. Over time, these young children are at risk for developmental delays, limited positive relationships, and a host of other difficulties. Our early education classrooms can create safe, responsive, and equitable environments to assist in reducing these harmful effects. This presentation will identify different types of trauma, how young children with trauma may present in the classroom, and supportive strategies teachers can implement to foster environments that encourage healing.

Registration

Registration for the UnConference: Creating a Safe Place with Trauma-Informed Care can be found on our UnConference page.

For a flat fee of $25, you may attend as many sessions (keynote or workshops) as you like. Sessions will also be recorded for viewing after the UnConference has completed. You must register for the UnConference in order to access session recordings.

Participants will receive PQAS and/or Act 48 hours.

More Information

For questions about the UnConference, contact Yu-Ling Cheng at conference@tryingtogether.org. For additional information, including FAQs, visit our UnConference page.

Apply: PA Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Awards

News

January 12, 2022

Apply: PA Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Awards

Applications and nominations are now being accepted for the Pennsylvania’s Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Awards.

The awards recognize individuals or programs that have demonstrated support to children and their families through: embracing diversity and full inclusion as strengths, upholding fundamental principles of fairness and justice, and/or working to eliminate structural inequities that limit equitable learning opportunities.

About the Awards

The awards bring awareness to and highlight the equity work being done within Pennsylvania’s early childhood education and afterschool settings, and by child care, evidence-based home visiting and early intervention professionals, as it aligns with the Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) Equity and Inclusion Toolkit, and with the position statement of the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education Position Statement.

Eligibility

The following are categories of eligible entities. All must be physically located and operating within Pennsylvania, and providing services to Pennsylvania’s children.

  • Individuals: Individuals, employed at a Pennsylvania certified/licensed child care, afterschool, Early Intervention, or an Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) funded Family Support program. Individuals must be employed at the eligible program at the time of submission.

  • Early Childhood Education/Child Care and Afterschool: Programs must be certified/licensed by Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS), and in good standing with DHS at time of submission. In addition, a Federal Head Start/Early Head Start grantee that operates a program that is certified/licensed by DHS may submit a nomination for the DHS certified/licensed program. Nomination categories include:

    • Child Care Center

    • Group Child Care Home

    • Family Child Care Home

    • Afterschool Program

  • Early Intervention: Programs providing Early Intervention services and supports are eligible to submit a nomination as it relates to early intervention services and equity.

  • OCDEL funded Family Support programs

 Apply

Submissions can be an application (apply on your own or a program/organization’s behalf), or nomination (submit another individual or program/organization) to be acknowledged for their work around equity in the early childhood education or afterschool setting. Self-applications are accepted.

Applications/nominations and any supporting documentation will be submitted via electronic online submission process only. Applications may be submitted in English or in Spanish. All applications must be submitted by 5 pm, February 7, 2022.

Each completed submission will receive an official signed and framed certificate of placement level (Gold, Silver, Bronze) from OCDEL, appropriate for display. Completed submissions will also receive electronic copy and supporting images for their own digital use on websites, social media, electronic communications, etc.

Completed submissions will be promoted during April 2022 Month of the Young Child, with promotion by OCDEL.

More Information

Visit the Pennsylvania Key website for more information.

Share Your ECE Story with DHS

News

January 10, 2022

Share Your ECE Story with DHS

The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) is asking early childhood education professionals and child care providers for stories about their work in the field.

About

DHS is collecting stories from providers and caring professionals about why their work is essential and why they chose their careers. The goal is to highlight the stories of the broader human services system and how the child care industry makes an impact in all parts of the community.

To Submit a Story

Stories can be emailed to the DHS Press Office at ra-pwdhspressoffice@pa.gov. DHS is looking for:

  • Why you chose an early childhood career

  • How your career lets you help others

  • A story about when you felt like you’ve made an impact

  • A time you’ve felt proud in your work helping others

  • Or any other story you’re willing to share

Please include names, county/place of residence, and a picture (if possible). Stories might be used on social media, the DHS blog, or the DHS central human services job recruitment page.