News

October 11, 2023

E-Learning Course: Exploring the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions

A new course, Exploring the WIDA Prek-3 Essential Actions, is now available in the PD Registry for free.

 Learn More

This self-paced e-learning course will introduce educators to the WIDA PreK-3 Essential Actions.

Educators will have an opportunity to build their knowledge and understanding of the Essential Actions and key concepts embedded in the Essential Actions for supporting dual language learners. They will also reflect on their own ideologies, practices, and settings. This course will invite participants to apply their learning and take action to enhance their current practices by utilizing the tools and resources provided.

Register

To register for the course, visit the PD Registry and search the training calendar for Exploring the WIDA Prek-3 Essential Actions.

Any questions can be directed to Barry Wiestling at bwiestling@pa.gov.

News

June 7, 2022

Register: Live Demonstration of New Keystone STARS Designation System

The Pennsylvania’s Professional Development (PD) Registry will be holding a live demonstration of the new Keystone STARS Designation System for directors, administrators, and owners of child care programs in Pennsylvania.

About

On July 1, 2022, the new process for Keystone STARS pre-designation and designation applications launches into Pennsylvania’s Professional Development (PD) Registry. Moving more functionality into the PD Registry streamlines multiple processes into one system and designation for providers.

Child care providers can register for one of the following live demonstrations:

The demonstration will be recorded and posted to the Pennsylvania Key (www.pakeys.org) website.

Other Ways to Prepare

Other ways directors, administrators, and owners can prepare for this transition include:

  1. Completing an individual or personal PD Registry profile.

  2. Applying for placement on Pennsylvania’s Early Childhood Education (ECE) Career Pathway.

  3. Claiming your organization profile for your program.

  4. Assisting staff members in completing their PD Registry profile and applying for Career Pathway placement.

  5. Verifying your staff and complete classroom information in your program profile.

The Pennsylvania Key website has PD Registry tip sheets and video tutorials to complete these steps and more.

News

May 13, 2022

UPDATED: Streamlined Keystone STARS Designation System to Launch July 1

The Keystone STARS designation system will be live in the PA PD Registry beginning July 1, 2022.

The new designation system will feature the updated 2022 Keystone STARS Performance Standards. As such, all designations initiated after July 1, 2022, will use the 2022 Keystone STARS Performance Standards and the new Streamlined Keystone STARS Designation System.

(This page was updated on May 13, 2022 to reflect new information from OCDEL).

About

The new designation system in the PA PD Registry is replacing SMART Designation Software, the Keystone STARS Document Uploader, and portions of Provider Self Service (PSS).

The new system features a Document Vault that will replace the current STARS Document Uploader, which will no longer be available after May 31, 2022. Providers can begin using the Document Vault feature, which is currently live in the PA PD Registry.

Programs currently using the Document Uploader to complete a designation must ensure that all evidence is uploaded by May 31, 2022. From June 1, 2022 through June 30, 2022, there will be a black out period for any new Request for Keystone STAR Designations (RFSD) to be completed. During this time, programs will be unable to complete any new RFSDs either via Provider Self Service (PSS) from the Keystone STARS home page or via a paper RFSD.

Details

For complete details about the new designation system, read the Office of Child Development and Early Learning’s full announcement (UPDATED).

Programs who require help in uploading documents to their Document Vault and/or attaching documents to quality indicators should reach out to the ELRC Region 5 at elrc5@alleghenycounty.us or the PD Registry team at registry@pakeys.org.

Information about demonstrations and trainings , video tutorials, and tip sheets on the Keystone STARS Designation system will be housed on the PA Keys website.

News

March 3, 2022

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)

News

November 11, 2019

PD Registry & Career Pathway | Director Webinar

Join Pennsylvania (PA) PD Registry and Career Pathway staff at the Pennsylvania Key on December 4 for their webinar, “PD Registry and Career Pathway Information for Directors.”

About

This webinar seeks to support program directors in their effort to help their staff use PA’s PD Registry and understand the ECE Career Pathway. Featured topics include completing a PD Registry profile, uploading education documents, and submitting information to be placed on the Career Pathway. More information on Pennsylvania’s Quality Initiatives for the Early Childhood Education workforce will be provided.

Registration

To learn more and register, visit the event webpage.

More Information

For questions, call 1.800.284.6031 or email registry@pakeys.org.