Megan Pittsinger It’s that time of year again, the days are getting shorter and the temperatures are getting colder. It’s also that time of year when we need to have indoor gross motor activity ideas ready and waiting for those dreaded days that do not meet the weather permitting guidelines. So, here are some great...Read More

Angel Avery-Wright I had the pleasure of watching a group of school aged children from Active Learning Centers complete a group activity: the building challenge. These children really enjoyed the exercise and I want to share it with you. First divide the group into groups of 3-4 children.Read More

Amelia Gibson Lehman   Let me share with you something about working with small children. It’s really hard. Today I went to the bathroom more times to cry for a few minutes than to use the bathroom. Today I was physically tired, mentally drained, and emotionally depleted. Today I felt like I wasn’t who my kids...Read More

Important Message from the Bureau of Certification Regarding Clearances and the Coronavirus, released 02/07/2020. Clearances: The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Bureau of Certification wants to clarify the responsibility of child care providers as it relates to confirming clearances for EITA, the Pennsylvania Key, therapists, OCDEL staff or staff employed by other OCDEL...Read More

Kelli Harris Each February, the American Dental Association (ADA) sponsors National Children’s Dental Health Month to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. This month-long observance brings together thousands of health care providers and educators to promote good oral hygiene to children.Read More

Kelli Harris Cada febrero, la Asociación Dental Americana (ADA) patrocina el Mes Nacional de la Salud Dental de los Niños para crear conciencia sobre la importancia de la salud bucal. Esta observancia de un mes reúne a miles de proveedores de atención médica y educadores para promover una buena higiene bucal en los niños.Read More

A new resource, Pennsylvania Community Inclusion for All, created by an OCDEL Policy Fellow, Sadia Bartool, highlights the importance of and provides resources for meaningful Community Inclusion, geared towards Pennsylvania children, ages birth to grade 6, and their families. The PA Community Inclusion for All web page and public Facebook group can help increase opportunities...Read More

Pennsylvania’s Early Intervention Program (Infant/Toddler and Preschool) wants to hear from families about their experience with Early Intervention. Families whose children are receiving Early Intervention Services can respond to the survey February 1 through June 30, 2020. If you know a family receiving Early Intervention services, please share with them the flyer. The survey can...Read More

Kitty Syster After-school programs are always rushed for time, when trying to make an impact on the children they serve. By the time all the busses arrive and basic routines are complete, it seems like your day is over. So how do you add a little education into the time you have, while letting the...Read More

Jill Kortwright The Program Quality Assessment (PQA) team is excited to welcome All About the ECERS-3 to our library of resources. If you’ve attended an Environment Rating Scale (ERS) professional development event, you’ve probably heard about All About the ITERS-R and All About the ECERS-R. These companion resources support the use of the ERS for...Read More