August 26, 2025 Early Childhood Educators Should Ensure Clearances, Mandated Reporter Training Updated for New School Year With the 2025-26 school year beginning, it’s time for educators to ensure that they are up-to-date on mandated reporter training and clearances. Some resources to help with this include Pennsylvania’s page for clearances and background checks, the state’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning’s (OCDEL) announcement earlier this year on the Child Protective Services Law, and iLookOut, where they can find new online courses. Clearances Mandated reporter training is required every five years and is based on the date of an individual’s last certification. Under state law, public school employees are required to provide updated clearances every 60 months – or, five years. The three clearances include: Department of Human Services Child Abuse History Clearance Pennsylvania State Police Request for Criminal Records Check Federal Criminal History Record Information Clearances must be obtained for employees of child care facilities, any individual with ownership interest in a certified child care facility and those who participate in the organization, any legal entity applying to open a new certified child care facility, or any individual residing in a certified child care facility. More information on the background checks can be found on the state’s website. OCDEL Announcement Earlier this year, OCDEL Deputy Secretary Shante A. Brown sent out an announcement to inform certified child care providers of the requirements for child care facilities in the state and to clarify provision hiring requirements for those hired on or after Feb. 1. Aside from clearances, the announcement covered the following mandated reporter training topics: the minimum number of hours, providing evidence of completion, and the timeframes for obtaining or renewing the training. iLookOut Lastly, early educators looking to update mandated reporter training should visit the iLookOut for Child Abuse Project, which provides online courses about protecting and supporting children and their families free of charge. Visitors to the site will learn how to support at-risk children and meet required training with interactive, video-based storyline training. The site includes eight- to 12-minute micro-learning exercises and is available to all Pennsylvania-mandated reporters. iLookOut is a multimedia, online learning program that prepares mandated reporters to meet their professional, ethical, and legal responsibilities for identifying and reporting suspected child abuse. It engages learners through real-life scenarios incorporating video and narrative that raise concerns about possible child abuse.
August 25, 2025 OCDEL Asks Licensed Child Care Providers Charging Private Pay Rates to Take Survey The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is requesting that licensed child care providers who charge private pay tuition rates complete a survey between Sept. 8 and Dec. 8. Learn More OCDEL is required to collect up-to-date tuition information from all licensed providers every three years. The 2025 Child Care Market Rate Survey helps OCDEL set child care subsidy payment rates that are reflective of the private pay market. Even programs that don’t accept subsidies should fill out the survey. When all providers complete the survey, the date gives a more accurate picture of child care tuition rates across Pennsylvania. Benefits of filling out the survey include: The results help to set payment rates for child care subsidies over the next few years. When more providers respond, rates are more fair and reflect real tuition rates. It supports policies that better reflect the real structure and value of child care services statewide. It strengthens the case for public investment in child care for everyone. If you don’t respond, decisions may be based on other programs that don’t reflect your rates. Participants who complete the survey will be entered into a raffle and could win a gift card. A total of 100 winners will each get a $100 e-gift card. Surveys can be filled out online or on paper. It is being conducted by the Institute of State and Regional Affairs at Penn State Harrisburg, in partnership with OCDEL and the Pennsylvania Key. The survey should be filled out between Sept. 8 and Dec. 8.
August 6, 2025 Pennsylvania Selected to Participate in Action Research Partnership Initiative The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) announced that Pennsylvania has been chosen as one of three states to participate in the National ECE Workforce Center’s Action Research Partnership, a yearlong initiative to drive meaningful systems change for the early childhood education workforce. Learn More Through this initiative, OCDEL will reimagine Pennsylvania’s ECE Career Pathway in collaboration with providers and in direct response to feedback from the field. The initiative is a direct response to what has been heard from early childhood education professionals across the state. Providers, educators, and community stakeholders have voiced the importance of honoring experience, reducing barriers to advancement, and recognizing the full scope of skills and roles within the field. The goal is to create a more comprehensive, flexible, and supportive system that recognizes the true value and complexity of the early childhood education profession. The effort builds on work already underway, including human-centered design workshops, extensive community engagement, and insights from OCDEL’s recent workforce study. As part of the Action Research Partnership, OCDEL will receive targeted support, collaborate with national peers, and work closely with a dedicated change team of state leaders, educators, and partners across sectors. The aim is to build a system that centers the voices of early educators, supporting recruitment, retention, and long-term growth in early childhood education across the state.
July 16, 2025 OCDEL Invests in Early Care and Education Professional Development Initiative The Office of Child Development and Early Learning announced its Early Care and Education Professional Development Organization (ECE PDO) initiative that is aimed at building capacity within the state’s early childhood education workforce. Learn More OCDEL will invest $13 million in federal funding to support a comprehensive system of credit-bearing coursework, credential, and degree attainment for early childhood education professionals throughout the state. Following a recompete process, three professional development organizations have been chosen to support six regions across Pennsylvania: Philadelphia and Southeast Region: Public Health Management Corporation Central Region, Northeast Region, and Southwest Region: Shippensburg University Northwest Region: Northwest Institute of Research Early Care and Education Professional Development Organizations facilitate access to credit-bearing, stackable, and portable coursework and credentials, including CDSs, associate and bachelor’s degrees. They work to provide access to learning opportunities and coordinate regionally tailored supports that meet the diverse needs of early childhood education professionals. Programs offered through the ECE PDOs align with the state’s Early Childhood Educator Career and Educational Pathway. For more information or to connect with a regional PDO, visit The Pennsylvania Key’s Professional Development Organizations page.
July 1, 2025 OCDEL Releases Announcement on NAEYC Accreditation Standards, Keystone STARS Alternate Pathways The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released an announcement regarding changes to the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) accreditation standards and system and implications for Keystone STARS Alternate Pathways. Learn More The announcement shares information on how changes to NAEYC will affect early care and education providers using NAEYC accreditation as a Keystone STARS, OCDEL-approved, Alternate Pathway to a STAR 4 designation. As of March 3, NAEYC began using a new tiered system of accreditation. The three tiers included: Recognition: NAEYC defined this as the first step to high quality. It requires a documentation review, and a one-year term is renewed annually. Accreditation: Requires a documentation review and there is potential for a random site visit. It has a five-year term with annual reporting required. Accreditation +: This requires a documentation review and site visit, and there’s potential for a random site visit. This has a five-year term with annual reporting required. Impact of Accreditation Changes on STARTS Designation Following an internal review of NAEYC’s new accreditation standards and tiers, OCDEL established that the Accreditation + tier will be acknowledged as an approved Alternate Pathway to a STAR 4 designation. The NAEYC tiers of Recognition or Accreditation will not serve as OCDEL-approved Alternate Pathways to higher STARS designations. Programs that are currently NAEYC accredited will transition to the Accreditation + tier and will not see any impact on their STAR 4 Alternate Pathway designation. If these programs experienced a drop in their NAEYC accreditation status to one of the lower tiers, they would also be designated as a STAR 1. Programs that want to move up in STAR levels can do so by using the Keystone STARS Performance Standards or achieving the highest NAEYC accreditation tier of Accreditation +. Programs using an OCDEL-approved Alternate Pathway to a higher STAR level must complete all requirements for Keystone STARS as explained in the ELRC Policy Announcement 21 #08. Next Steps All programs currently using or planning to use NAEYC as an Alternate Pathway to a STAR 4 designation should: Review the information contained in the OCDEL announcement. Complete any upcoming Keystone STARS designation renewals as required. Review their current Accreditation VUD to determine their NAEYC renewal status. For questions regarding NAEYC standards, assessments or processes, email accreditation.information@naeyc.org or call 1-800-424-2460. Programs are encouraged to discuss their Keystone STARS designation with their quality coach. ELRCs should review the information in the OCDEL announcement and direct any questions to their program representative.
June 18, 2025 OCDEL Makes Announcement About Providers’ Access to First Aid and CPR The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)’s Bureau of Policy and Professional Development has released an announcement regarding providers’ access to free First Aid and CPR training. Learn More According to the announcement for early childhood education professional development organizations, access to free pediatric First Aid and CPR training for providers will no longer be available effective July 1. The focus of professional development organizations, the announcement said, is to provide credit-bearing professional preparation for the early childhood education workforce. Providers are responsible for securing appropriate training in First Aid and CPR. State child care regulations require all staff members to complete professional development in First Aid and CPR within 90 days of hire and renew their certification before the expiration of the most current certification. For more information, read the announcement.
June 16, 2025 OCDEL Kicks Off 2025 Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released its 2025 Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip. Learn More Through the initiative, families, teachers, and early childhood partners can explore ways to support young children’s love of reading and learning. Participants will learn facts about Pennsylvania’s rivers, lakes, and wildlife as well as take part in hands-on activities with their children and utilize book suggestions and tips that match the state’s Early Learning Standards. Those taking part in the literacy road trip can keep track of the books they read and draw pictures in a travel journal. Readers can print the map and learn about the state’s waterways. Other activities included in the Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip include: Nature walk and scavenger hunt Storytime picnic Nature art Water play and exploration Sing-along and movement games Each of these activities includes a learning connection, printable activity, and book pairings. For more information on the Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip, visit PA Promise for Children’s website.
June 4, 2025 OCDEL Shares Keynote Speeches, Other Resources from Conference Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has shared resources from its recent conference for those who were not able to attend. Learn More OCDEL’s Stable and Secure: Supporting Children Through Trauma-Sensitive Approaches conference was held on April 22 and 23 in downtown Pittsburgh. The event drew experts, educators, and practitioners, who explored how trauma-informed care can support the well-being of children, families, and the professionals who serve them. Those who were unable to attend can access presentation slides and view recordings and other valuable materials to listen to the insights of those who participated. Materials from the conference’s first day include Luisa Olivio-Wolf’s keynote speech, “Honoring and Supporting Language, Culture, and Identity of Families and Children.” Resources from the second day of the conference include Dr. Marnie Aylesworth’s keynote speech, “Compassion for Self: The Act of Taking Back Our Power.” For additional resources, visit OCDEL’s conference page.
May 20, 2025 OCDEL Announces New Director of Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) announced that Kimberly Rode will be OCDEL’s director of the Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports. Learn More Rode served as ARIN Intermediate Unit 28’s director of special education for the past six years and was a school psychologist for 18 years. She graduated with a bachelor’s degree in human development and family studies from Penn State University before earning a master’s degree in educational psychology and certifications in school psychology and supervisor of pupil personnel from Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP). In 2024, Rode completed her Doctor of Education degree in administration and leadership studies from IUP by writing her dissertation, “Standards in Equity: The Impact of Implementing Common Core State Standards on High School Graduation Rates in the United States.” Rode relies on data to guide areas designated for improvement and to provide evidence of the impact of her and her colleagues’ work, OCDEL said. Her work involves supporting children, families, and providers “by addressing complex issues from a place of creativity, innovation, and adaptability.” The Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports is responsible for managing the allocation of state and federal funding to 48 county/joinders early intervention programs. It also provides guidance to local programs regarding compliance with Act 212, IDEA, and Pennsylvania regulations, verifying compliance with state and federal early intervention requirements, providing families with required supports and protections, and collecting, managing, and reporting data regarding child count, compliance, and other information.
May 14, 2025 OCDEL Provides Update on Certification Regulation Rewrite Project The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) shared a video in which its deputy secretary, Shante’ Brown, discusses an update on its Certification Regulation Rewrite project. Learn More The Certification Regulation Rewrite project is an effort to modernize and simplify child care regulations, making them more effective and relevant for families, providers, and children. OCDEL has been working closely with child care professionals, advocacy organizations, early education leaders, and teams from different agencies to ensure the new regulations reflect real-world needs and experiences. “We are deeply committed to advancing quality, equity, and access to early learning,” Brown said. “Our work is driven by understanding that every child deserves a strong foundation for success and every family should have access to quality care, but we know that quality care can only happen when providers are supported by clear, modern, and efficient regulations.” In the video, Brown talks about the progress and partnerships that have guided the work. She also explains which stage the project is in and what it means for those working in early childhood education in the state. “These regulations reflect real-world experiences and needs of the field,” she said. “Together we shape the process that’s not just about rewriting the regulations, but making sure those regulations serve the people who depend on them every day.”
