August 29, 2025 OCDEL Announces Update on Children Being Picked Up and Dropped Off at School The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released an announcement to update certified child care providers on rules regarding care and supervision when children are picked up and dropped off at school. Learn More Under state law, children on facility premises are to be supervised by a staff person at all times. Supervision during pick-up and drop-off times for children must be clearly defined to ensure the safety and accountability of children and child care providers. OCDEL’s announcement includes updates on transfers from child care to school and school to child care: Child care to school: Unless otherwise stated in a written agreement signed by a caregiver, care and supervision are the responsibility of the child care facility until the child gets on a school bus or enters the school building. The transfer of child care processes or policy must be documented in the child care agreement or handbook. School to child care: Supervision by the child care facility begins when the child exits the school bus, once the child enters the child care bus or van, or when a staff member arrives to walk the child to the child care facility. To avoid gaps in supervision, all transportation arrangements that allow for unsupervised travel must be clearly stated, approved, and signed off by the caregiver. If, for example, a child is permitted to walk independently to school or the bus stop, this must be clearly stated in the child care agreement or handbook. Transfer of care processes or policy must be accompanied by a signed receipt from the caregiver documenting that they have received and read the handbook. For more information, read OCDEL’s announcement.
June 23, 2025 OCDEL Bureau of Certification Services Podcast Covers Topics for Child Care Providers For those seeking news and information on the state Office of Child Development and Early Learning’s (OCDEL) Bureau of Certification Services, a good place to start would be The Confluence Podcast. Learn More Confluence means “a flowing together,” and can often refer to the coming together of ideas or factors. In The Confluence Podcast, listeners can learn about the complexities of the Bureau of Certification Services’ partnership with stakeholders across the state, especially Early Childhood providers, children, and families. The podcast’s latest episode, “Understanding the Complex Differences Between Certification and Quality Initiatives,” explores confusion around what are general health and safety and certification requirements and what are the standards and processes for quality initiatives, both local and national. In this episode, the Bureau of Certification Services’s director, Ruby Martin, and division chief, Chris Loos, discuss complex issues facing the provider community with Luisa Olivo-Wolf, director of OCDEL’s Bureau of Early Learning Policy. To listen to other episodes, visit The Confluence Podcast’s web page.
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.
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.
April 2, 2025 Workshop: Lifting Family Voices The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania will host a workshop in June that will help participants learn how to develop and share their family’s story and experiences. Learn More Lifting Family Voices will instruct attendees – pregnant women or parents or caregivers of children, from birth to five years – on how to make their voices heard, influence decisions, and create a more supporting community for all. Space is limited for the workshop and is on a first come, first served basis. Americans with Disabilities Act accommodation requests can be made during registration. Registration and requests must be received by Friday, May 16. Reimbursement for child care and travel expenses within guidelines will be provided. Lodging will be available for those who are traveling more than 50 miles to the workshop location. A light breakfast and lunch will be served. The event will run from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Thursday, June 12 at PaTTAN Harrisburg, located at 6340 Flank Drive in Harrisburg. More information is available on the Lifting Family Voices flier.
February 12, 2025 Free Training Available: Strengthening Business Practices for Child Care Programs The National Center on Early Childhood Quality Assistance is collaborating with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) to offer Strengthening Business Practices for Child Care Programs from February through April. Learn More The content and activities in the four offered modules are designed to strengthen child care providers’ foundational knowledge of sound fiscal management and business operations. The four modules of business practices content in the series include: Budgets, Projections, and Planning Financial Reports and Internal Controls Marketing for Child Care Programs Staff Recruitment and Retention for Center-Based Child Care Programs There are two versions of the series – one for center-based providers and another for family child care providers. More information on the course can be found in this flier. Business Practices for Child Care Programs Topics During the fiscal management portion of the series – which focuses on budgets, projections, and planning – attendees will: Learn a process for building a budget and how to use it for decision-making throughout the year Understand how to project business costs, generate additional income, and plan strategically for future goals On the topics of financial reports and internal controls, the series will teach attendees how to: Introduce financial reports that can help to better manage a program’s finances Understand the concept of internal controls and how they can strengthen a program’s fiscal health For the child care program marketing section of the series, attendees will learn to: Be able to articulate the features and benefits of the program and understand how to use them as marketing tools Appreciate how data can inform marketing efforts to achieve greater success, become more cost-effective, and use time more efficiently On the topics of staff recruitment and retention, participants will learn best practices related to recruiting, interviewing, and hiring new employees. It will also cover: Having a framework for building and effective orientation plan for new employees and being familiar with the components of a staff handbook Identifying strategies for providing feedback to employees Modules PQAS hours are available for those taking the course. Courses are offered in English and Spanish. Center-based modules include: Budgets, Projections, and Planning; Saturday, February 22 from 9 a.m. t0 11 a.m.; Wednesday, March 12 from 10 a.m. to noon. Financial Reports and Internal Controls; Saturday, March 1 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.; Wednesday, March 26 from 10 a.m. to noon Marketing Your Program; Saturday, February 8 from 9 a.m. to noon; Wednesday, April 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Recruiting and Retaining Staff; Saturday, February 15 from 9 a.m. to noon.; Wednesday, April 23 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Family-based modules include: Budgets, Projections, and Planning; Tuesday, April 22 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Financial Reports and Internal Controls; Tuesday, May 6 from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Marketing Your Program; Tuesday, May 13 from 6:30 p.m. to 9:30 p.m. For more information on the individual modules, check out this flier.
December 18, 2024 OCDEL to Offer Course on Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and the Pennsylvania Key are offering an eight-week Mindfulness-Based Stress Reduction (MBSR) course. What is MBSR? MBSR is the most extensively-tested, evidence-based mindfulness program available. Mindfulness is the practice of paying focused, non-judgmental attention to the present moment. It involves being fully aware of your thoughts, feelings, sensations, and surroundings without trying to change or avoid them. This eight-week course is aimed at individuals who are seeking a reputable and in-depth exploration of mindfulness meditation. It adheres to the same standards and structure as the in-person program created in 1979 by Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn at the University of Massachusetts Medical Center. The course includes 2.5-hour sessions each week as well as a full day-long-at-home retreat and daily practice. It is an intense course for those seeking to deepen their mindfulness practice and understanding through a trusted and well-researched system. More Information Those interested in taking the class should view a recording on the Pennsylvania Key Mindfulness page prior to completing an application. The recording can be found at the bottom of the page. There are limited seats currently available. Applications will be prioritized for early childhood educators providing direct service to children and families. The application deadline is 4 p.m. on Friday, December 20. Applicants will be informed by Monday, December 23 of their application status. Those who are selected will receive a link and a code to register for the course through Mindful Leader, the organization hosting the courses. Applications are available online. The four different class options include: Starting January 6: Mondays, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Sessions: January 6 – March 3; retreat on Saturday, February 22) Starting January 12: Sundays, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Sessions: January 12 – March 9; retreat on Saturday, February 22) Starting January 24: Fridays, 9 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. (Sessions: January 24 – March 21; retreat on Saturday, March 8) Starting January 28: Tuesdays, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. (Sessions: January 28 – March 25; retreat on Saturday, March 15)
December 9, 2024 OCDEL Announces CCW Base Payment Rate Increase for DHS Certified Providers The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning’s (OCDEL) Bureau of Policy and Professional Development has released an announcement on an increase to Child Care Works (CCW) base payment rates for Department of Human Services (DHS) certified providers. Learn More Effective January 1, the subsidy base rates – also known as the Maximum Child Care Allowance (MCCA) – will be increased to the 75th percentile. The base payment rate increase applies to: All DHS certified child care providers Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs) OCDEL Early Learning Resource Center program representatives The announcement replaces ELRC Announcement 23 #01 – Increase to Child Care Works Base Payment Rates. Background The CCDBG Act requires lead agencies to certify that rates are sufficient to ensure eligible children have equal access to child care services. The benchmark for equal access established by the Administration for Children and Families Office of Child Care (ACF OCC) is the 75th percentile of the current child care market. OCC considers payment rates set at the 75th percentile or higher as providing equal access. Increasing the CCW base rate incentivizes additional provider participation in CCW. It also helps child care providers who participate in the program enhance services, invest in staff development, compensation, and promote overall quality in child care programs. Next Steps The next steps for DHS certified child care providers on updating pay rates include: Updating and communicating private rate pay changes on family agreements or contracts, website, and handbooks as applicable Completing Appendix C-1 ELRC Subsidized Child Care Provider Reported Rates Sending the completed Appendix C-1 along with verification of the DHS certified child care provider’s published rates to your ELRC by January 31 to receive the update rate Directing any questions to your ELRC The next step for ELRCs include: Reviewing and sharing this information with appropriate staff For any DHS certified child care providers returning completed Appendix C-1 and their published rates, entering updated rates into PELICAN CCW and converting rates for all DHS certified child care providers with an effective date of January 1 if verification is received by January 31. Generating and sending all DHS certified child care providers Appendix C-2 ELRC Subsidized Child Care Provider Payment Rates Directing any questions to your program representative More information on the increased rates can be found on The Pennsylvania Key website. Information on Pennsylvania’s Maximum Child Care Allowance daily rates are also available on that website.
