ANNOUNCEMENTS

Learn whats new about the Early Childhood Standards for Infant/Toddler, Pre-Kindergarten and Kindergarten. This online training is appropriate for practitioners who work with infants, toddlers, pre-kindergarten and kindergarten children in any capacity. This session will highlight why the revisions were made and how to read the new format of the Standards. The connections to the Standards Aligned System will be covered in detail. The webinar can be reviewed in less than two hours. No Act 48 or PQAS hours can be awarded for those participants who view the webinar independently.To obtain the most information from the webinar, participants should have a copy of the Continuum and at least one of the Revised Standards. The Revised Standards are available fordownload.

Under the Rendell Administration, multiple new preschool funding streams were established to promote the early education agenda and prepare the Commonwealths young children for school success. As a result of the new funding streams, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) convened the Braiding Funds Task Force with the goal of assisting early education and care providers to utilize the funds appropriately and efficiently. The Task Force looked to assist providers in understanding the fiscal requirements of the different programs, how these requirements worked in relationship with each other, and how to braid the funding to achieve the next level of best practice in fiscal accounting.

OCDEL in partnership with key early education and care practitioners from programs representing all OCDEL funding streams came together to consider the issues and prepare materials to assist providers in improving their practices. Below are four documents developed by the Task Force for early care and education community member's use.

1. Fiscal Responsibility & Cost Allocation Tools

2. Sample Budget

3. Sample Finanial Statement

4. Braiding Allocation Workbook(revised 4/6/09)

OCDEL is now seeking Letters of Intent from new applicants. Those agencies that are interested in applying for new funding should review the below information and return the completed Letters of Intent to the Office of Child Development by Monday, March 9, 2009.

Alvernia University in Reading is offering a second cohort starting in January for individuals who have a Bachelors degree ECE Certification by the end of August, 2009! There are two tracks being offered depending upon whether one has already completed student teaching experience. This accelerated program includes two three credit courses, a two credit practicum, and student teaching, if needed.

On May 24, 2008, the Department of Public Welfare published amendments to the regulations for child care centers, group child care homes and family child care homes. The regulatory amendments were effective on September 22, 2008. Click here to view the document.

Studies have shown that the presence of teachers with a bachelors degree with specialized training in early childhood education leads to better outcomes for young children. In light of these findings, state and federal programs have increased the educational qualifications for teachers and assistant teachers working in early childhood education programs. This chart shows the changes in requirements and the growing need for qualified early childhood education professionals.

Seton Hill University - May 28, 6:30 pm CLICK HERE for a flyer and more info

AS OCDEL/PA KEY continue to encourage early childhood and school-age practitioners to further their education and move up the Career Lattice, some additions have been included on Levels 2 and 3 of the Career Lattice.  Levels 2 and 3 have been revised and updated accordingly following the recommendations from the Career Lattice-Staff Qualifications Committee.  
   

*    Level 2: three (3) ECE college credits have been added to this level; i.e. 3 ECE Credits obtained from a College course or 45 hours of PD (Level 1 - 15 Hour Orientation and Level 2 - 30 Hours). 

*    Level 3: Six (6) ECE college credits added to this level; i.e. 6 ECE Credits from two college courses or 6 ECE credits awarded for Child Associate Development (CDA) Credential.