The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has released the Announcement C-2-04 Revised Suspension of Regulatory Requirements for Certified Child Care Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic. It announces that the Department of Human Services (Department) has suspended certain regulations in 55 Pa. Code Chapters 3270, 3280 and 3290 effective March 6, 2020. This communication has been revised and amends the announcement to include additional regulatory suspensions not included in the original communication. Inclusions to this announcement are in red within the Announcement.
The child care regulations in Chapters 3270, 3280, and 3290 include requirements that the child care provider must document in order to ensure the health and safety of children. The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent mitigation measures have greatly impacted certified child care facility operations and ability to comply with some regulatory requirements. Many of the requirements in Chapters 3270, 3280 and 3290 are dependent on the availability of other entities such as medical professionals and training institutions, as well as a steady rate of attendance of children and communication with parents. The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) realizes that certified child care facilities cannot demonstrate compliance with certain regulations.
The regulations discussed have been suspended in whole or in full; and, or in par or limited, as described within the Announcement and includes information relating to School Age Child Care.
For additional details, please see the Announcement C-2-04 Revised Suspension of Regulatory Requirements for Certified Child Care Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic.