Announcement: C-20-04 Suspension of Regulatory Requirements for Certified Child Care Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released the Announcement: C-20-04 Suspension of Regulatory Requirements for Certified Child Care Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic . This document announces that the Department of Human Services (Department) has suspended certain regulations in...Read More

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released Announcement: ELRC-20 #08 Child Care Works Payment Modifications Due to Impacts related to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) . This Announcement replaces in its entirety, Announcement ELRC-20-#07. The Announcement provides additional information to child care programs participating in Child Care Works (CCW) and the Early Learning Resource...Read More

The Department of Human Services (DHS) and Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) have released an FAQ for Families considering child care. Please review for your own purposes and share. Governor Tom Wolf provided Summer Camp and Recreation guidance on Friday to help families secure child care options for school aged children over the summer. OCDEL,...Read More

Child care programs located in a county switching to Yellow Status on May 29, 2020–there is important information you should know. (Child care facilities located in a Pennsylvania county Governor Wolf is opening, effective May 29, 2020.) Child care programs in counties in the Yellow Phase are free to operate without a waiver. If you have...Read More

Now available is the latest Implementing The CDC Guidance for Child Care Programs that Remain Open (CDC Version 4.21.20) Pre-recorded Webinar, May 21, 2020. This version provides responses to the many FAQs re: Handling sick children and staff How to practice social distancing When to exclude Face masks and cloth face coverings View it: Recording,...Read More

Child Care Providers Operating in Red and Yellow Counties in the Governor’s Phased-in Approach to Reopen Business Child care centers and group child care homes operating in non-residential buildings located in counties identified as “Red” in the Governor’s Phased-In Approach to Reopen Business may reopen under a waiver if they are providing services for families who work...Read More

In a previous OCDEL update, two recommendations were made for providers having issues accessing cleaning supplies and items such as masks, thermometers, and gloves that are no longer accepting requests. Local emergency management agencies are no longer able to coordinate with child care on supplies requests. Similarly, the resources identified for Big House Productions (masks and cleaner) are no...Read More

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) continues to prepare to support for providers in counties that will transition to the yellow phase and our expectations for this phased reopening. Even as we prepare to restart certain operations in the 24 counties that will move to yellow on Friday, May 8, 2020, we...Read More