Spanking a child may increase aggression in a child, and may actually do long term harm to a child, says a new study by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). The AAP recently released an updated policy statement about the harmful effects spanking can have on children. The use of spanking is also ineffective in [...]
In response to traumas within communities, the PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) would like to highlight resources for early learning programs, schools, community partners and families. Click here to view the page.
Deadline extended to November 9, 2018! Berks County Intermediate Unit (BCIU) in coordination with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) and the Pennsylvania Early Learning Investment Commission (PAELIC) is currently accepting proposals to investigate the cost of providing high quality early care and education across Pennsylvania. Part I of this project, CHILD [...]
You may have heard about Pennsylvania's 2018-19 state budget which includes $4 million to expand evidence-based home visiting programs. The additional funding is expected to help about 1,000 families. Want to know more about evidence-based home visiting? Click here!
All certified child care providers in Pennsylvania are subject to an annual inspection of the facility. A certification representative with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning will conduct a renewal inspection of the facility at least once every 12 months. Upon completion of the inspection, the provider will be notified of the Department’s [...]
Expanding access to high-quality, early childhood education is a proven investment and priority for the Wolf administration. Governor Tom Wolf recently announced more Pennsylvania families will have access to high-quality early learning programs, with approximately 2,125 new slots in Pennsylvania Pre-K Counts and 490 new slots in the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program (HSSAP) being [...]
Beginning September 2018, OCDEL will use $2 million of the increased Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) funding to pilot contracting for slots for infants and toddlers participating in Child Care Works (CCW). OCDEL will leverage the PA Pre-K Counts model to pilot contracting with STAR 3 and STAR 4 programs to serve infants [...]
The PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has announced that effective August 1, 2018, the Child Care Works (CCW) program will both lift the base rate freeze for STAR 1 and STAR 2 providers, as well as, apply a general Maximum Child Care Allowance (MCCA) base rate increase of 2.5% across all [...]
Long-time early learning partners, PA Kiwanis, will host the Early Childhood Education: A Bridge to School Success breakfast on Friday, August 10, 2018 from 8 am to 10:30 am at the Doubletree Hotel in Greentree. Enjoy breakfast and learn new techniques and ideas for expanding learning experiences for Early Childhood Education. This breakfast is open [...]
Now available are the updated Keystone STARS Performance Standards and Program Manual, effective July 1, 2018. On July 1, 2017, the revised Keystone STARS Performance Standards were released. During the 17/18 Fiscal Year, Early Child Care and Education programs had the opportunity to become familiar with the revised STAR Standards during a “Hold Harmless” Year. Also during FY 17/18, [...]
