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.”
May 8, 2025 ELRC Provider Support Line Available to Help Child Care Providers A new Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) provider support line is now available to help child care providers with ELRC agreements. Learn More The support line enables providers to share questions, concerns, or gratitude regarding an ELRC experience. Providers should first contact the ELRC to resolve any issues. The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) supports providers with matters that cannot be resolved directly with the ELRC. The new phone line is a direct connection to an OCDEL representative. Calls can be placed to the provider support line at 717-346-0042 or 1-844-675-6349 between 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. on Monday through Friday.
April 21, 2025 OCDEL Offers Guidance in Wake of Measles Cases Uptick The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and the state Department of Health have issued new guidance due to an uptick in positive measles cases in the state. Learn More Those operating a child care facility in the state who knows of a student having an illness that may be of public concern, regardless of whether it is known to be communicable, should report it promptly to the Department of Health or a local department that handles health issues. As indicated in the Child Care Works (CCW) Provider Agreement, an early learning resource center (ELRC) will pay providers for a maximum of five consecutive days of absence due to an illness. On the sixth consecutive day, the absence must be reported to the ELRC, which will notify the parent or caretaker that the enrollment for the subsidized child care will be suspended until the child returns to care. The provider must report to the ELRC when the child returns after a CCW suspension period. If a child is enrolled in CCW and needs to be excluded as outlined, a provider must contact the ELRC immediately so they can promptly suspend CCW to prevent enrolled families from accruing absences related to the medical exclusion. Once a CCW case is in suspended status, payment is not remitted to the provider. The ELRC will pay for a maximum of 40 days of absence during the state’s fiscal year (July 1 – June 30) for each child. This is a cumulative number per child, regardless of provider transfers during the fiscal year. If absences exceed 40 days, the parent or caretaker is responsible to pay the provider for all additional absences. Suspended days and provider closed days are not considered days of absence. Children funded through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) are not subject to the 40 days absence limit. For more information, visit The Pennsylvania Key’s measles information and guidance page.
April 9, 2025 Individuals with Disabilities Education Act Part C Application Review and Comment Period Open The review and comment period is now open for the Federal Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Part C application for the Infant Toddler Early Intervention program. The comment period will remain open through Wednesday, April 30. Learn More Each year, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) provides access and opportunity for families, early intervention providers, and other professionals to review and make comments on the federal IDEA Part C application. That period for the Infant Toddler Early Intervention program for fiscal year 2026 is now open. Those who would like to review the proposed grant application can find the document on the right-side menu of the state’s Early Intervention Services and Early Intervention websites. Hard copies can be requested by emailing raocdintervention@pa.gov or by calling 717-346-9320. Those interested in providing public comment can visit the Part C Grant Public Comment webpage. Or, they can submit written comments on the proposed grant application by emailing them to raocdintervention@pa.gov or by mailing them to: Office of Child Development and Early Learning Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports ATTN: Public comments for Part C Grant Application 607 South Drive, 4th Floor Rotunda Harrisburg, PA 17120 Comments will be accepted through April 30.
OCDEL Releases Announcement on Curricula and Developmental Assessment Tools in Keystone STARS The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning’s (OCDEL) Bureau of Policy and Professional Development has released an announcement to provide information on approved curricula and developmental assessments for use by Keystone STARS 3 and 4 programs. The release of Announcement ELRC #25-02, OCDEL Approved Curricula and Developmental Assessment Tools in Keystone STARS makes obsolete the previous announcement, ELRC Announcement 22 #07, immediately. The announcement is aimed at all Keystone STARS providers, Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRC), and OCDEL’s early learning resource center program representatives. Background OCDEL has an established internal process for the approval of curricula and developmental assessment tools for use by Keystone STARS providers seeking to earn points toward their STAR 3 or 4 designation. A component of this approval process requires the completion of a crosswalk aligning the curriculum and developmental assessment tool with the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards (PA ELS). In December 2022, OCDEL released the ELRC Announcement 22 #07, which outlined that only currently OCDEL-approved curricula and developmental assessments would be valid for meeting the requirements of STARS EC 3.4.1 and EC 3.4.2 for STAR 3 and 4 designations. Historically, OCDEL released and maintained an annual listing of approved curricula and developmental assessment tools. The annual listing provided details of newly approved tools and those that were set to be discontinued at the end of the fiscal year. Since the release of ELRC Announcement 22 #7, OCDEL has evaluated the curricula and developmental assessment tool approval process to determine its impact on early childhood providers. Internal discussions, ongoing reviews of updated tools, and feedback from stakeholders concluded that discontinuing a tool simply due to the release of an updated version by the vendor seemed unnecessary and posed a potential financial burden for providers. In many cases, updates to previously approved curricula and developmental assessment tools that preserved the essential content and structure had no impact on the integrity of the material and alignment to the PA ELS. As a result, curricula and developmental assessment tools that were previously approved based on their alignment with the PA ELS will remain available for use by providers. Next Steps Moving forward, OCDEL will only discontinue approved curricula and developmental assessment tools under the following conditions: The vendor fails to respond to OCDEL’s annual request to confirm the tool’s information on file The PA ELS are updated, causing the curricula and developmental assessment tools to no longer align with the standards The curriculum or developmental assessment tool is updated and the tool no longer aligns with the PA ELS Keystone STARS providers should review the announcement with staff. Providers should subscribe to the PA EEN to receive updates to the approved listings of curricula and developmental assessment tools, and should refer to the listings on the PDE Early Learning Standards website to ensure the tools they are using continue to be approved as part of their annual Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) plan update and activities. Any questions should be directed to the local ELRC. ELRCs should review and share the announcement with staff and refer to the listings on the PDE Early Learning Standards website to become familiar with the current approved tools.
