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The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning supports families and their children, from prenatal through school age, by using data, research and stakeholder guidance to assure high quality services.
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Early Education in Pennsylvania
Message from Michelle Figlar
As we continue to roll out changes to meet new Child Care Development Block Grant requirements, I'm excited to share the tremendous work OCDEL and our partners have done to support our child care community - especially our friend/neighbor caregivers and family child care homes to make a successful transition to certification. We've launched a new early learning program search site that providers can update with customized information. We produced a short video for caregivers and family child care homes to demystify the inspection process. And we've have developed a free six-hour training to help all child care programs meet the new health & safety training requirements. Our child care community is an essential piece in our early childhood education continuum. Yes, more changes are to come, but OCDEL is committed to changes that make government work better and increase access to high quality early education services. OCDEL will continue to engage the field in the change process and provide the supports for our teachers, families, and providers to be successful. Thank you for all that you do!
 Updated Resource Helps Families Find Child Care/Early Learning ProgramsThe PA Department of Human Services recently released an updated Child Care and Early Learning Program search for the COMPASS website. The user-friendly updates allow families to search for information about early learning programs and providers, get information about help paying for child care, explore the different early learning programs, locate information about quality early learning program/providers, learn about regulations, and find activities to support and information about their child developmental milestones. Search features allow for detailed information to help families find a child care/ early learning program that fits their needs. Explore the COMPASS website at www.findchildcare.pa.gov and share with families and friends.
Free Health and Safety Basics: Requirements for Certification Training Available to Meet New Training Requirements for Child Care
One new requirement of the federal Child Care Development Block Grant is for all child care directors and staff to complete training on 10 health and safety topics by September 30, 2017. Beginning September 30, 2016, child care certification representatives will be checking professional development records for these topics as part of inspections and new providers must complete pre-service training on the 10 topics before submitting an application. OCDEL has worked with Better Kid Care to develop a free six-hour module that covers nine of the 10 health and safety topics. This training will meet the six hour annual requirement. The module is available online or in person. OCDEL and its partners are developing a plan for additional training options. The 10th topic is Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) training / First-Aid training and cannot be offered online, but must be taken in-person.
Providers may also assess training that staff have taken since September 30, 2014 that addresses one or more of the nine topics. OCDEL's Announcement includes a checklist form of relevant training.
Registration Open to Participate in Regional Forums
Keystone STARS Re-visioning Update: Final Review of Core Principles in July
In February 2016, OCDEL convened a diverse group of 45 early learning stakeholders and asked that they define a set of core values to guide the design of a new conceptual framework for Keystone STARS. The Keystone STARS Re-visioning Think Tank Team developed a draft set of Core Principles that were shared across the state with early childhood education stakeholders via webinars and community meetings. In May and June 2016 more than 3,000 early care and education stakeholders provided feedback on the draft of the Core Principles and based on that input, the Think Tank Team revised the principles at their June meeting.
In July, the final draft of the Core Principles will be distributed for a final review by the field. We hope that everyone will recognize the thoughtful work that the Think Tank Team has done in incorporating the advice of those 3,000 voices of the field. Please be on the look out for the final draft. OCDEL and the Think Tank are looking forward to feedback as to whether these principles will provide a strong foundation for continuing efforts to ensure that the Keystone STARS is responsive to the needs of children, families and providers in Pennsylvania.
Webinar Focuses on PA's Successful Outreach Efforts to Families
A recently recorded webinar, The Home School Connection, by the Preschool Development Grant (PDG) explores Pennsylvania's resources available for community partners to use when engaging families with young children and helping make the connection to school. The resources featured include the PA One Book, Every Young Child program, a variety of early learning materials, and the Early Learning GPS, and highlights the successful outreach efforts made by partners throughout the state to support children's early learning.
New OCDEL Resources Inform on Assessment Tools and Benefits
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning has released updated resources on assessment, 2016 Guiding Principles on Early Childhood Assessments for Educators and Professionals, Birth to age 8 (grade 3). These updated materials inform educators and professionals on how assessment tools align with Pennsylvania standards. The resources are separated into four different formats for those looking to learn more about assessments but have different needs.
- Main Resource: The fundamentals of assessment that apply to young children are part of a continuum of learning that begins at birth and extends through kindergarten to grade three.
- BASICS sheets: The six BASICS (Basics on Assessments Systems Informs and Cultivates Success) sheets summarize key points and fundamentals on assessments, mentioned in the main resource.
- Infographic: Provides a visual representation of large amounts of information related to Pennsylvania's comprehensive assessment system.
- Summary Tables: Ten Summary Tables summarize common information from each assessment and screening tool (145 in total) examined.
All of these resources are available for free and can be downloaded from the PA Key website.
ECE Summit Registration Now Open
Online registration is now available for the October 17-19 Early Childhood Education Summit in State College. The ECE Summit provides early care and education practitioners, parents and advocates from across the early learning and school-age spectrum - Childcare, Head Start, Early Intervention, Pre-K Counts, Home Visitation, and School Districts - an opportunity to dialogue and learn while building a stronger early learning community. The program includes more than two hundred workshop sessions, inspiring keynotes, and opportunities for personal and professional growth. Register by August 31, 2016 to take advantage of the ECE Summit's Early Bird registration rates.
School Teams and Programs Recognized at Implementers' Forum
Over 1,300 people attended the 6th annual Pennsylvania Positive Behavior Support (PBIS) Implementers' Forum on May 5-6, 2016 in Hershey. The forum is designed as a venue for stakeholders who are interested in advancing supports and voice for all students, including students with disabilities, in the implementation of school or program-wide Positive Behavioral Interventions and Supports (PBIS). 213 school teams and programs were recognized at the event, with 21 early childhood programs recognized this year as sites implementing program-wide PBIS with fidelity. Learn more about PA PBIS.
Kelly Swanson Named Interim Director for the PA Key
Kelly Swanson, Communications and Public Policy Director at the PA Key, will serve as Interim Director until a new Director is named. Kelly joined the PA Key in 2006. Before joining the Key, Kelly was Communications Manager at the Pennsylvania Child Care Association.
Opening for PA Key Director
The Berks County Intermediate Unit and the PA Key are seeking an individual to implement the vision and priorities of the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) for early learning systems building and coordinate with related partner organizations in the areas of continuous quality improvement, program and system assessment, professional development and technical assistance systems, and comprehensive workforce strategies.Position title: PROGRAM ADMINISTRATOR/DIRECTOR, CURRICULUM, STAFF DEVELOPMENT & RELATED SERVICES. Master's Degree in Social Work, Public Administration, Organizational Development, or Early Childhood Education Policy and/or Education/Human Services Policy required. Doctoral Degree preferred. Ten years of experience in non-profit leadership, program administration, and supervision, strategic planning, program development, and evaluation; knowledge of early childhood education systems and system building strategies; and demonstration of ability to work collaboratively with all early learning stakeholders required. Send cover letter and resume to Kelly Hollenbach, BCIU, 1111 Commons Blvd., P.O. Box 16050, Reading, PA 19612-6050 or email to [email protected]. Online application available at www.berksiu.org/jobline. EOE
Opening for Infant/Toddler Specialist
The PA Key and Berks County Intermediate Unit are seeking an individual with extensive experience in home visitation and infant/toddler programming to provide technical assistance and monitoring to home visitation programs in a variety of settings primarily in the Western part of the state (Lawrence and Venango Counties.) Strong leadership,communication, and collaboration skills are also necessary. Familiarity with Nurse Family Partnership, Early Head Start, Parents as Teachers and/or Healthy Families America preferred. Online application available at www.berksiu.org/jobline. EOE
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Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge
CIZ Grantees Reaching Families in Southern PA
The July 2016 Report shares the outreach efforts by the Community Innovation Zone (CIZ) grantees in southern Pennsylvania as they strengthen partnerships in their communities to reach families and young children. CIZ grantee Berks County Intermediate Unit shares progress about their Raising a Reader initiative, while Pottstown Early Action for Kindergarten Readiness (PEAK) has been making great progress through the efforts of the Community Parent Organizer. JG Early Intervention Specialists, Inc. will be supporting the YMCA of York County in the implementation of program-wide positive behavior interventions and supports (PW-PBIS) through a program called SPEC - Supporting Positive Environments for Children, and the United Way of York County completed a family engagement video for new families at McKinley Elementary School. Read the July 2016 update.
Meadville Breaks Down Barriers to Early Learning Accessibility
The Going Places Mobile Early Learning Lab, a community initiative that provides resources, information and connections to early learners in Crawford County, allows families to experience an early learning environment firsthand. Outfitted with interactive preschool classroom activities, kindergarten registration information and book give-aways, the mobile lab is a colorful trailer packed full of resources and early learning fun. The Going Places Mobile Learning Lab has free Wi-Fi and an Early Learning GPS registration station where families can sign on to the Early Learning GPS with guided support. Other birth - 3rd grade resources for families in the Meadville Area are available for families to access. The vehicle facilitates families having the support and information they need to encourage their children's learning and development. The Going Places Project is an innovative outreach effort by Meadville Children's Center, Laurel Technical Institute, and Crawford Central School District. Visit the Mobile Learning Lab, Going Places website for more info.
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This initiative is a part of Pennsylvania's Race to the Top - Early Learning Challenge grant. For more information on other initiatives funded by this grant, visit the
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Federal News
Early Head Start Expansion and Early Head Start-Child Care Partnership Grants, Deadline August 24, 2016
Recently the Administration for Children and Families (ACF) announced approximately $135 million in funding available to expand access to high-quality, comprehensive services for low-income infants and toddlers and their families. This funding will support the creation of Early Head Start-Child Care (EHS-CC) Partnerships and the expansion of Early Head Start (EHS) services to children and families. ACF solicits applications from public entities, including states, or private non-profit organizations, including community-based or faith-based organizations, or for-profit agencies that meet eligibility for applying as stated in section 645A of the Head Start Act. Application due date is August 24, 2016.
Troubling Pay Gap for Early Childhood Teachers
The U.S. Departments of Education and Health and Human Services recently released a report, High-Quality Early Learning Settings Depend on a High-Quality Workforce-Low Compensation Undermines Quality, that shines a spotlight on the gap in pay for early education teachers, 97 percent of whom are women, and the impact that inequity has on schools' ability to attract and retain experienced, high-quality staff with higher levels of education. The report found that while education and training requirements have increased for early education teachers, workforce pay has not. In Pennsylvania, the report states that the median annual workforce earnings for early childhood educators is between $19,590-$26,908.
ACF Deputy Secretary Testifies on Implementing CCDBG
Linda Smith, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Early Childhood Development at the Administration for Children and Families (ACF), recently testified before the U.S. Senate Committee on Health, Education and Labor Pension about "Implementing the Child Care and Development Block Grant Act (CCDBG) of 2014: Perspectives of Stakeholder". Ms. Smith's testimony included a general overview of ACF's efforts to implement CCDBG reauthorization, as well as four key areas of focus to ensure states, territories, and tribes are successful in making lasting change for the better for child care. These areas were: protecting the health and safety of children in child care; ensuring equal access to stable, high-quality child care for low-income children; helping parents make informed decisions; and, enhancing the quality of child care. Watch the recorded testimony or read the transcript.
U.S. Dept. of Agriculture Kicks Off Summer Food Program for ChildrenThe end of the school year also means that some kids lose access to their daily school meals. Help spread the word: kids under 18 years old can still enjoy free summer meals in many schools across the country. Visit the U.S. Department of Agriculture's website to find summer meals in your community.
Federal Announcement Supporting Dual Language Learners
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Of Interest
City of Philadelphia Seeks Partners to Expand Quality Pre-K, Deadlines vary
On the heels of Philadelphia Mayor Kenney signing the sweetened beverage tax legislation into law, the Mayor's Office of Education (MOE) formally launched its pre-K initiative to expand affordable, quality pre-K citywide. MOE released two Requests for Qualifications (RFQ) inviting all quality pre-K providers and providers striving for quality to apply to partner with the City. The first RFQ (RFQ for Quality Providers) supports the expansion of pre-K seats at existing quality pre-K programs. Early childhood education providers, designated STAR-3 or STAR-4 by the Commonwealth's Keystone STARS quality monitoring system, or who are NAEYC-accredited, a national quality standard, are eligible to apply for city funding. The second RFQ (RFQ for Provisional Growth) supports pre-K providers that do not possess STAR-3, STAR-4, or NAEYC-accreditation, but are committed to improving the quality of their pre-K program. See the Requests for Qualifications for more information.
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Trends & Reports
Supporting Pennsylvania's efforts to serve children in high-quality settings
Systems that support quality improvement must define quality in a meaningful and rigorous way while also being responsive to the needs of a diverse set of early childhood education providers, according to the PA Research for Action's recently released policy brief, Quality Ratings and Improvement Systems (QRIS) in Early Childhood Education: Promising Approaches for Pennsylvania. The brief explores existing research on the "quality characteristics" of ECE programs that improve child outcomes and the ways in which a QRIS can be designed to evaluate and promote these quality characteristics, innovative practices from other states' QRISs that may prove valuable in efforts to refine Keystone STARS, and important policy considerations for local and state leaders as they seek to expand access to quality early learning programs.
STEM and Early Childhood - When Skills Take Root
State Trends in Child Well-Being
The Annie E. Casey Foundation's 2016 KIDS COUNT Data Book finds today's youth - Generation Z - are healthier and completing high school on time despite mounting economic inequality and increasingly unaffordable college tuition. This year, the annual report focuses on key trends in child well-being in the post-recession years and offers recommendations for how policymakers can ensure all children are prepared for the future, based on the country's shared values of opportunity, responsibility and security. Pennsylvania ranks 18th overall and 10th in education, which includes 53% of young children not in school, an increase of 2% from 2007-09.
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Resources
Reducing Toxic Stress of Young Children
The PA AAP recently issued a report, Making a Healthy Investment in Child Development: The Benefits of High-Quality Pre-K, that explains how high quality pre-K can buffer the impact of "toxic stress." Toxic stress is extreme, long - lasting stress that can hinder a child's brain development in early years. This extreme stress may lead to lifelong health issues. How can all early care and education professionals reduce the impact of toxic stress for young children? Listen to the ECELS webinar, Early Brain and Child Development and Reducing Toxic Stress, then review what your program may already be doing to reduce the impact of toxic stress and how you can do even more. Professional development credit is available for viewing this webinar and completing an evaluation form.
June Edition of Baby Talk
Video Starts Conversation about Race and Child's Development
The School Readiness Playbook
The School Readiness Playbook, released by the Long Island Pre-K Initiative, is a compendium of the latest thinking and best practices on community-level, collaborative efforts to increase school readiness for all young children. It builds on the knowledge and experiences of many communities throughout the country that are weaving together networks of formal and informal resources and funding to increase the number of young children who are ready to succeed in school. The contents of the Playbook are designed to equip diverse community players with knowledge and resources about how communities can work together to increase school readiness for young children.
Summer 2016 Health Link Online Now Available
ECELS has summer health-related information for early learning professionals. In the most recent edition, get info on CACFP new Nutrition Standards, food safety, First Aid and Infant/Child CPR and the latest on sunscreen. Read the Summer 2016 Health Link Online.
Variety - Children's Charity, Helping Kids, Be Kids
Variety provides children with disabilities with unique programs, experiences, and equipment so they may live life to the fullest in several Pennsylvania counties. Current programs include "My Bike" (provides Rifton adaptive bikes), "My Stroller" (provides a Kid Kart Mighty Lite adaptive stroller), "My Voice" (provides communication device - currently an iPad with a prescribed communication app) and "Peak Moments" (provides children with disabilities with places and times they can be together where they have fun, are themselves, are accepted for who they are, and feel that they belong). Visit the Variety website for more information.
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The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) provides families access to high quality services to prepare children for school and life success.
Find more information about Quality Early Learning in Pennsylvania
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The Pennsylvania Early Childhood Education News is a project of the Pennsylvania Build Initiative and the Pennsylvania Departments of Education and Human Services to inform early learning professionals, the early childhood community, policymakers, community leaders and the public on developments in early childhood education and care in Pennsylvania.
Please feel free to forward this email to friends, family, and colleagues. You may access archived copies at the PA Key website.
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