Created in 2007 by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), The Pennsylvania Key implements the work and supports the policies developed and managed by OCDEL. Learn More. >
The Office of Child Care (OCC) has announced the opening of the second public comment period for the FY 2022-2024 CCDF State Plan. Available is the revised Plan Preprint, as well as a copy of the Federal Register announcement. As a reminder, the CCDF Plan is how states and territories apply for CCDF funding (658E...Read More
Child care providers have reported delays in accessing login and password assistance or have not received an email notifying them of the need to login and complete the CARES Act Round 3 reporting survey. The Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRC), OCDEL staff and Department of Human Services IT specialists have been working to respond to...Read More
Find the most recent and important information from the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) in the Dec. 14, 2020 edition of the ECE Recap.Read More
On Dec. 9, 2020, an online portal–the DHS CARES Act Funding Tracking Tool–will launch for OCDEL providers to submit final costs of Act 24 of 2020 funding. The due date for submission of the required Final Report was extended to Dec. 31, 2020. DHS is requesting providers complete the COVID-19 Act 24 Cost Reporting Form in the web-based portal. Providers should keep all documentations related to...Read More
The Pennsylvania Department of Health routinely communicates with stakeholders using a Health Alert Network, or HAN communication. Available is an Updated Quarantine Recommendations for Persons Exposed to COVID-19 HAN. The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) will be quickly working to update previously issued guidance documents to align with this HAN. They will be...Read More
The Institute of State and Regional Affairs at Penn State Harrisburg, in partnership with Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning and the Pennsylvania Key, has released a new study on the Cost of Child Care in Pennsylvania. The economic cost of care in was estimated via the ingredients method using detailed site-level resource data...Read More
2020 Child Care Regulation Changes Training for Child Care Providers and Question and Answer (Q&A) Sessions The Child Care Facility Regulations were approved by the Independent Regulatory Review Commission (IRRC) on Oct. 15, 2020, and will take effect Dec. 13, 2020. Over the past two years, OCDEL has released these changes as policy updates to align...Read More
Announcement C-20-13: Reopening of Certified Child Care Facilities Temporarily or Permanently Closed Due to COVID-19 The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Bureau of Certification Services, has released Announcement C-20-13, Reopening of Certified Child Care Facilities Temporarily or Permanently Closed Due to COVID-19. The Announcement provides protocols on the reopening of certified child care...Read More