TERM

DESCRIPTION

ROLE IN KEYS TO QUALITY   

Act 48 of 1999

Beginning July 1, 2000, Act 48 of 1999 required persons holding Pennsylvania professional educator certification to complete continuing education requirements every five years in order to maintain their certificates as active.

All educators holding Pennsylvania public school certification including Instructional I and II, Educational Specialist I and II, Administrative, Supervisory, Letters of Eligibility and all vocational certificates are required to meet these requirements. Also included are non-certified teachers and administrators employed by charter schools.

Professional development activities with Act 48 credits assigned can be counted in meeting professional development hours as required for the various levels of the Keystone STARS program.

Better Kid Care

Sponsored in part by the Office of Child Development, Better Kid Care is operated by Penn State University, College of Agricultural Sciences, Cooperative Extension.

It provides educational materials, learning experiences and programs to child care practitioners and parents in Pennsylvania. This is accomplished in several ways, including its Web site, satellite workshops, training workshops, video learn-at-home units, on-site training and a toll-free telephone help line. Materials are free to practitioners and parents in Pennsylvania.

For more information visit www.betterkidcare.psu.edu

Serves as a resource for assistance with continued quality improvements by utilizing various means at no cost to practitioners within Pennsylvania.  The trainings offered can also help childcare and early learning practitioners achieve the necessary hours required for the various STARS levels of the Keystone STARS program. 

Certificate of Compliance

A document issued to a legal entity permitting it to operate a specific type of facility or agency, at a given location, for a specified period of time, and according to appropriate departmental program licensure or approval regulations (55 Pa Code §20.4).

For more information visit: http://www.pakeys.org/

Certification is a baseline for enrollment in the KeystoneSTARS program.    All Child Day Care Centers and Group Day Care Homes must maintain a certificate of compliance regardless of Keystone STARS involvement.  

Certificate of Registration

A document issued by DPW to a legal entity permitting the legal entity to operate a specific type of facility at a specific location for a specific period of time not to exceed two years from the date of issue, according to applicable departmental regulations.  A certificate of registration approves the operation of a facility subject to Article X(c) of the Public Welfare Code (62 P.S.  §§1070 – 1080; 55 Pa Code §3290.4).

For more information visit: http://www.pakeys.org/

Registration is a baseline for enrollment in the Keystone STARS program.       All Family Day Care Homes must maintain this registration, regardless of Keystone STARS involvement.

Child Care Information Services (CCIS)

DPW contracts with 59 local CCIS agencies which manage the subsidized child care program.  The CCIS helps former TANF and low-income families pay for the cost of child care. CCIS is available to assist parents in making the most appropriate child care arrangements through referral information and parent counseling.  CCIS is required to serve the maximum number of children within the limits of available funding; assure that the rates paid for subsidized child care meet the Department of Public Welfare’s (DPW) requirements; and encourage and support the use of affordable, quality child care throughout the Commonwealth.

Provides Keystone STARS designation information to practitioners, parents and the community upon request. 

Please note that 5% of a child care facility’s enrolled children must include this and/or County Assistance Office (CAO) subsidized clients in order to meet the criteria for financial resources in the Keystone STARS program.

Child Care Management Information Services (CCMIS)

The statewide referral database that is shared by Office of Income Maintenance and Office of Child Development.  The database operates on various levels providing requested child care referrals to all interested parents. It also provides subsidy payment to providers, managing quality and accreditation levels attained by providers for parent counseling and eligibility status for subsidy payments to providers.  Local CCIS’s maintain provider demographics, enrollment, rates and invoicing using CCMIS.

Keystone STARS designations are maintained in the CCMIS database as well as the other pertinent information in regard to a child care facility.

Child Day Care 

Care in lieu of parental care for part of a 24-hour day to children under 16 years of age, away from their own homes (62 P.S. §§1001 and 1070).

There are three types of child day care facilities under the regulatory authority of DPW: Child Day Care Center, Group Day Care Home, and Family Day Care Home.

For more information visit: http://www.pakeys.org/

Keystone STARS is a voluntary program aimed at increasing the quality of early learning experiences in all certified child care facilities as well as registered family day care homes.

Child Day Care Center (CDCC)

The premises in which care is provided at any one time for 7 or more children unrelated to the operator.  The facility must comply with the regulations at 55 Pa Code Chapter 3270 and must have a certificate of compliance from DPW in order to legally operate.

For more information visit: http://www.pakeys.org/.  

Keystone STARS is a voluntary program aimed at increasing the quality of early learning experiences.

As of July 25, 2005, 59% of all regulated CDCC’s in Pennsylvania participate in the STARS program.

Child Development Associate Credential (CDA)

A national credential awarded to an individual who has demonstrated his/her competence to meet the needs of children and to work with parents and other adults to nurture children’s physical, social, emotional, and intellectual growth in a child development framework.

For specific CDA requirements visit:  http://www.cdacouncil.org.

The Keystone STARS program encourages practitioners to increase their professionalism and early childhood education level with the goal of a CDA becoming the baseline credential.

Community Engagement

An initiative sponsored by the Office of Child Development to assist local communities in improving knowledge of and commitment to an early care and education system on the local level.

Promote community and practitioner participation in Keystone STARS and general awareness of the importance of quality early learning experiences.

Continuing Education Units (CEU)

Standard unit of measure used to quantify continuing adult education.  One CEU equals ten hours of instruction.

CEUs awarded through an associated or accredited institution of higher learning may be approved for Keystone STARS annual training/professional development hours

Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI)

A comprehensive quality improvement plan developed by a facility.  It includes information from the Facility Training/Professional Development plan (FTP) and a variety of other sources and determines not only staff professional development needs but also considers budget/finance and other program management priorities.

Programs in Keystone STARS are required to develop a CQI plan.

Continuous Quality Improvement Facility / Professional Development Plan (CQI/FTP)

An integral part of a facility’s overall continuous quality improvement plan.  The CQI/FTP is developed using various sources of information to identify areas needing improvement.  It summarizes needs for the entire facility for a specified period of time. Some sources of information used to contribute to the CQI/FTP may be environmental rating scales, individual staff professional development plans, parent and staff program evaluations, certification inspection summaries and action plans from various accreditation processes.

Keystone STARS performance standards require practitioners to complete the CQI/FTP annually.  The information in the completed CQI/FTP is used to assess professional development needs in a particular geographical area.

Core Body of Knowledge (CBK)

A document identifying what early childhood and school-age care professionals need to know and be able to do when caring for and educating children.  Identifies three levels of knowledge for each of eight knowledge/content areas.

Document used to guide organizations in the development of their training/ professional development.  The CBK is also used in the Professional Development Record (PDR) to identify gaps in knowledge and skill levels.  The identified gaps are then used to formulate their annual training/ professional development plan.

County Assistance Office (CAO)

Local offices of state government that administer the Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) program, and provide eligibility for Medical Assistance and Food Stamps.  These offices administer child care subsidy to low-income families participating in TANF.

Please note that 5% of a child care facility’s enrolled children must include this and/or Child Care Information Services (CCIS) subsidized clients in order to meet the criteria for financial resources in the Keystone STARS program.

Department of Public Welfare (DPW)

The Department of Public Welfare is charged with numerous program areas.  The Department oversees the Office of Child Development; Children, Youth & Families; Mental Health, Mental Retardation; Income Maintenance; Medical Assistance and Social Program issues in the Commonwealth.

Provides funding and oversight for operations and procedures through contractors.  The mission of the DPW is to; promote, improve and sustain the quality of family life; break the cycle of dependency; promote respect for employees; protect and serve PA’s most vulnerable citizens; and manage our resources effectively.

A knowledgeable group of stakeholders with a special interest in the programs sponsored by the Office of Child Development, which meets three times a year.

ECEAC provides feedback and guidance to the elements of the Keystone STARS program by advising the Office of Child Development of program issues.

Early Childhood Education Linkage Systems (ECELS)

Operated by the PA Chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics (PA AAP), and provides consultation to the Office of Child Development (OCD) and practitioners in the field regarding national best practices for health and safety in child care settings.

Provides health and safety information, resource materials and training to ECE practitioners through distance education opportunities, training workshops, and the ECELS telephone helpline and web-site.

Early Childhood Environmental Rating Scale – Revised (ECERS-R)

Designed to assess group programs for children of preschool through kindergarten age, 2½ through 5, the ECERS–R is one of four environment rating scales.  The scale evaluates: Physical Environment; Basic Care; Curriculum; Interaction; Schedule and Program Structure; and Parent and Staff Education.

The Keystone STARS performance standards require a practitioner to attend training in the ECERS scales, conduct an ECERS self-assessment, and participate in an independent ECERS assessment (at the 3 and 4 STAR level) if they enroll preschool aged children.

Early Intervention (EI)

A program of support and services for families of young children with disabilities.  EI for children 0-3 is funded out of the Office of Child Development, children 3-5 are funded from PDE.

EI services are recommended to all families of children with disabilities and special needs. Mainstreaming and inclusion for all children in early care and education is supported by the PA Early Learning Keys to Quality and the Keystone STARS program.

Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA)

A program that provides technical assistance, professional development and consultation to early childhood programs serving children with disabilities.

EITA is affiliated with both PA Department of Education and Office of Child Development.    

Early Learning Standards (ELS)

The ELS include a comprehensive set of learning areas: math and logic, language and literacy, person-social, physical-health, approaches to learning, creative arts, science and social studies. Each learning area is comprised of individual standards, indicators (the smaller steps that children progress through to achieve the standard) examples and supportive practices for teachers. An additional learning area, program partnerships, guides programs’ inclusion of community and family partners in their children’s learning process.

It is expected that Keystone STARS programs that serve preschoolers will become familiar with the ELS.  The ELS should be used in planning developmentally appropriate learning experiences and in the selection of curriculum and assessment tools.

Early Learning Team (ELT)

The Governor’s Early Learning Team is made up of key staff from the Departments of Education, Public Welfare, Health, the Governor’s Office, and Head Start.  It articulates the Governor’s early childhood education and care priorities and how they are addressed through a cross-departmental approach.

This team will assure a concentrated coordination of efforts between the Keystone STARS program and other relevant state programs.

Environmental Rating Scales (ERS)

General term used to refer to assessment tools used to measure the quality of early childhood and school-age programs.  There are four environment rating scales: Infant/Toddler, Early Childhood, School-Age and Family Day Care. Each scale evaluates: Physical Environment; Basic Care; Curriculum; Interaction; Schedule and Program Structure; and Parent and Staff Education.

The Keystone STARS performance standards require a practitioner to attend training in the ERS scales, conduct an ERS self-assessment, and participate in an independent ERS assessment (at the 3 and 4 STAR level) if they enroll preschool aged children.

Family Day Care Home (FDCH)

A home other than the child’s own home, operated for profit or not-for-profit, in which child day care is provided at any one time to 4, 5, or 6 children unrelated to the operator.  A family day care home must comply with the regulations at 55 Pa Code Chapter 3290 and must have a certificate of registration from DPW in order to legally operate. 

For more information visit: http://www.pakeys.org/

Keystone STARS is a voluntary program aimed at increasing the quality of child care and education.

 As of July 25, 2005, 19% of all regulated FDCH’s in Pennsylvania participate in the STARS program.

Family Day Care Environmental Rating Scale (FDCRS)

Designed to assess family child care programs, the FDCRS is one of four environment rating scales.  The scale has evaluates: Physical Environment; Basic Care; Curriculum; Interaction; Schedule and Program Structure; and Parent and Staff Education.

The Keystone STAR performance standards require a family day care home practitioner to attend training in the FDCRS and participate in an independent FDCRS assessment.

Group Day Care Home (GDCH)

Premises in which care is provided at one time for more than 6 but fewer than 16 older school-aged children (see §3280.4, relating to definitions) or more than 6 but fewer than 13 children of another age level who are unrelated to the operator.  The term includes a facility located in a residence or another premise.  A GDCH must comply with the regulations at 55 Pa Code Chapter 3280 and have a DPW certificate of compliance in order to legally operate.

For more information visit: http://www.pakeys.org/

Keystone STARS is a voluntary program aimed at increasing the quality of child care and education.

As of July 25, 2005, 40% of all regulated GDCH’s in Pennsylvania participate in the STARS program.

Head Start and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program

Head Start, Early Head Start, and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program are federally funded programs to provide comprehensive early childhood services to children up to 100% poverty.  The focus is on 3- and 4-year-old children; the Early Head Start program serves families with infants and toddlers.

The Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program is a state-investment to support the provision of comprehensive pre-kindergarten Head Start to additional children in Pennsylvania.  The program was initiated in FY 04/05 and is funded through PA Department of Education to the Berks Intermediate Unit (IU) who manages the distribution to grantees.

DPW Regulated, Fully Integrated Head Start practitioners may automatically attain a Keystone STARS Star Four.

Infant Toddler Environmental Rating Scale – Revised (ITERS – R)

Designed to assess group programs for children from birth to 2½ years of age, the ITERS –R is one of four environment rating scales.  The scale evaluates: Physical Environment; Basic Care; Curriculum; Interaction; Schedule and Program Structure; and Parent and Staff Education.

The Keystone STAR performance standards require a practitioner to attend training in the ITERS scale, conduct an ITERS self-assessment, and participate in an independent ITERS assessment if they enroll infants/toddlers.

Intermediate Unit (IU)

Intermediate units are regional educational service agencies created by the PA State Legislature in 1970 to provide support to local school districts, to expand educational services and to provide cost savings to tax payers by eliminating service redundancy and taking advantage of economy of scale.

Although, no two intermediate units are alike; each IU's programs and services fall into one of the following categories: Adult Education, Cooperative Projects, Curriculum Services, Educational Technology, Preschool Education, School-Age Programs, Statewide Programs, or Training/Professional Development.

For more information visit www.paiu.org.

Keystone STARS  (KS)

Keystone STARS is a system of continuous quality improvement for child care through Standards, Training/Professional Development, Assistance, Resources, Support.  Keystone STARS is an initiative of the Office of Child Development to improve, support, and recognize quality child care programs in Pennsylvania.  Keystone STARS works to support the capacity and quality of programs through performance standards, financial incentives and STAR designation awards.

Keystone STARS is operated across PA by the six PA Early Learning Keys to Quality regional offices.  Detailed information about Keystone STARS and the six regional Keys can be found at www.pakeys.org.

Keystone Stars Core Training Series (KSCTS)

The Keystone Stars Core Training Series includes training designed to meet specific needs of Keystone Stars selected practitioners under the Keystone Stars performance standards. The training is delivered by a number of organizations that have been approved to offer this training for Keystone Stars practitioners.

The KSCTS consists of the following:  Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS-R), Infant/Toddler Environment Rating Scale (ITERS-R), School-Age Environment Rating Scale (SACERS), Family Day Care Rating Scale for Home Based Child Care practitioners (FDCRS), Core Body of Knowledge/Professional Development Record (CBK/PDR) for Directors and/or Home-based practitioners and Developing a Child Care Facility Training/Professional Development Plan.

This training series is a necessary component under the director’s qualifications in order for a facility to attain a STAR 2 level in the Keystone STARS program.

Legally Unregulated Day Care Facility

A facility in which children receive day care services that is not required to be certified or registered according to the provisions of Articles IX and X or 55 Pa Code Chapters 20, 3270, 3280, and 3290.  The term “relative/neighbor care” is typically used to reference a facility that is eligible to receive public dollars as payment for child care, but is not required to be certified or registered.  A relative/neighbor provider who participates in the child care subsidy system is required to comply with funding standards included in the provider agreement for child care subsidy. 

For more information visit: http://www.pakeys.org/

Although TANF recipients are given the choice of selecting an unregulated day care practitioner, the PA Early Learning Keys to Quality initiative strongly encourages parents to select a practitioner that is regulated.  An unregulated practitioner is not eligible to participate in the Keystone STARS program.

Licensing/Approved/
Registration Inspection Summary (LIS)

When an inspection is conducted at a child care facility that is certified or registered, DPW records the results as this document.  It is the document on which regulatory noncompliance is cited, correction is required, a plan to correct noncompliance is submitted and correction is documented (see 55 Pa Code §§20.52 and 20.71(3) and (4); 55 Pa Code §3290.12(a) and (c)(1) and (2)). 

The LIS informs providers of reasons for inspection, areas of DPW regulatory non-compliance, the operators plan for correctional and DPW response to the plan and DPW record of providers with the compliance plan.  

Mutually Agreed Upon Written Arrangement (MAWA)

Section 304 of Act 212 of 1990 designates PA Department of Education (PDE) as the responsible entity for providing services to eligible preschool children.  The MAWA is the Act’s terminology for a contract between PDE and a local intermediate unit, school district, or provider agency to provide early intervention services locally to eligible young children on behalf of PDE.

EI services are recommended to all families of children with disabilities and special needs. Mainstreaming and inclusion for all children in early care and education is supported by the PA Early Learning Keys to Quality and the Keystone STARS program.

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)

The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) is dedicated to improving the well-being of all young children, with particular focus on the quality of educational and developmental services for all children from birth through age 8. NAEYC is committed to becoming an increasingly high performing and inclusive organization.

In 1985, NAEYC established a national, voluntary accreditation system to set professional standards for early childhood education programs, and to help families identify high-quality programs.

Membership is open to all individuals who share a desire to serve and act on behalf of the needs and rights of all young children.

For more information visit www.naeyc.org.

In order to obtain a STAR 4 designation, participating practitioners need to meet all Keystone STARS performance standards listed, or have NAEYC / NSACA / NAFCC / NECPA accreditation or be a DPW regulated, fully integrated Head Start.

National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)

The focus of NAFCC is to provide technical assistance to family child care associations. This assistance is provided through developing leadership and professionalism, addressing issues of diversity, and by promoting quality and professionalism through NAFCC's Family Child Care Accreditation.

For more information visit www.nafcc.org.

In order to obtain a STAR 4 designation, participating practitioners need to meet all Keystone STARS performance standards listed, or have NAEYC / NSACA / NAFCC / NECPA accreditation or be a DPW regulated, fully integrated Head Start.

National Child Care Information Center (NCCIC)

NCCIC is a service of the Child Care Bureau of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is a national clearinghouse and technical assistance center that links parents, practitioners, policy-makers, researchers, and the public to early care and education information.

NCCIC responds to requests from parents, child care practitioners and other early education professionals, researchers, policy-makers, national organizations, businesses, and the general public. NCCIC provides technical assistance and training to States, Territories, and Tribes.

For more information visit www.nccic.org.

National Early Childhood Program Accreditation (NECPA)

The National Early Childhood Program Accreditation has been supporting educational programs strive for excellence since1993.  NECPA has been carefully crafted to create broad public understanding of the benefits of high quality early childhood care and education. Coupled with this increased understanding is a raised awareness of the “professional expertise” required to deliver that high quality care and an appreciation of the advantages that children receive from accredited centers and schools.

For more information visit www.necpa.net.

In order to obtain a STAR 4 designation, participating practitioners need to meet all Keystone STARS performance standards listed, or have NAEYC / NSACA / NAFCC / NECPA accreditation or be a DPW regulated, fully integrated Head Start.

National After School Association

(NAA)

(formerly National School-Age Care Alliance or NSACA)

The National After School Association, formerly the National School-Age Care Alliance, was founded in 1987. We are a professional association with a membership component-our membership includes more than 7,000 practitioners, policy makers, and administrators representing all public, private, and community-based sectors of after-school and out-of-school time programs, as well as school-age and after-school programs on military bases, both domestic and international. As the leading voice of the after-school profession, it is dedicated to the development, education, and care of children and youth during their out-of-school hours.

For more information visit www.naaweb.org.

This organization can provide a good source of guidance in the continued efforts to improve quality and education to School-Aged Child Care (SACC) practitioners.

Office of Child Development (OCD)

An office in DPW that provides policy and procedural oversight for programs for children and families, with a focus on the early education and care programs, and provides cross-departmental leadership for the Administration’s early education and care priorities through the appointment of its Deputy Secretary as Policy Director for the Department of Education.

Provides administrative and program oversight in collaboration with the PA Early Learning Keys to Quality Office and the 6 Regional Keys.

Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA)

PACCA is a statewide, non-profit organization dedicated to facilitating the provision of quality early care and education to the children of Pennsylvania.

For more information visit www.pacca.org.

PACCA sponsors the T.E.A.C.H. program which provides financial supports in order to achieve the professional development requirements defined for the Keystone STARS levels.

PA Dept of Education (PDE)

The PDE is charged with numerous program areas and oversees Pre K-12 Schools; PA Higher and Adult Education; Teacher Certification and Commonwealth Libraries issues in the Commonwealth.

The mission of the PDE is to lead and serve the educational community to enable each individual to grow into an inspired, productive, fulfilled lifelong learner.

PA Early Learning Keys to Quality

A quality improvement system in which all early learning programs and practitioners are encouraged and supported to improve child outcomes.

The PA Early Learning Keys to Quality System is implemented in collaboration with the Office of Child Development through the PA Key and six PA Regional Keys.

Visit www.pakeys.org for specific information.

Administration of the Keystone STARS program including outreach, connecting practitioners with professional development and training supports and resources, administering financial grants and awards to practitioners, interpretation of the Keystone STARS standards and designation of STARS levels.

PA Key

The PA Key provides statewide leadership in collaboration with the Office of Child Development in the development of an integrated coordinated system of program quality improvements and professional development supports.  The PA Key creates comprehensive statewide approaches, recommendations, and strategies in areas such as career lattice, infant/toddler, school-age and relative/neighbor care; employs and supervises the Environmental Rating Scale Assessors; manages statewide initiatives related to professional development; implements special initiatives; and provides supports in the areas of community engagement and regional planning.  The Head Start Collaboration Project and the Pre-K Partnership for Quality Child Care are also located at the PA Key.

See PA Early Learning Keys to Quality.

PA Regional Keys

There are six PA Regional Keys that develop and implement a regional quality improvement plan for professional development and technical assistance; encourage participation in Keystone STARS; administer Keystone STARS standards and offer guidance through the self-study process; assist programs in accessing financial supports for STARS; conduct outreach campaigns; and provide professional development opportunities and funding.

See PA Early Learning Keys to Quality.

PA Keys to Professional Development

(formerly PA Pathways)

A component of Pennsylvania’s professional development system serving practitioners in family homes, centers, and school-age settings.  Professional development is provided through several options, which include non-credit workshops, conferences, satellite downlinks, video learn-at-home units, and college courses.

PA Keys to Professional Development provides the following areas of training and professional development services for Keystone STARS.

1. Vouchers

2. Provider Training Registry

3.   On-line Training calendar

Professional Development Record (PDR)

A document to help caregivers track their accomplishments and plan their professional growth and development.  Provides forms to list employment history, track education and training as it corresponds to the CBK, and prepare annual training/professional development plans that meet their educational needs.

Practitioners participating in Keystone STARS are required to use the PDR to prepare their annual professional development plans. Individual professional development plans from the PDR will be one source of information used to inform the Continuous Quality Improvement/ Facility Training / Professional Development Plan.

Relative / Neighbor Care

Child care services provided by an informal provider, i.e. someone caring for fewer than 3 or fewer children, not including their own.

(See Legally Unregulated Day Care Facility for further explanation.)

TANF recipients are given the choice of selecting an unregulated day care practitioner, but the keys to quality initiat