As part of ongoing feedback received and discussions with stakeholders, OCDEL is making several changes to the requirements for Alternate Pathway programs, effective July 1, 2026. The purpose of these changes is to streamline processes and reduce administrative burden for both Alternate Pathway programs and ELRCs by relying on existing oversight from accrediting bodies. 

The following changes to requirements for Keystone STARS-Alternate Pathway programs will be implemented with the release of this policy: 

• Keystone STARS-Alternate Pathway programs will no longer be required to upload or complete a Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI) Plan within the Professional Development (PD) Registry Designation system. While no longer required by OCDEL, programs may continue to use the Registry system to document CQI Plans for their own record-keeping and quality improvement efforts. 

• Staff at Keystone STARS-Alternate Pathway programs will no longer be required to complete the PD Registry course, Overview of Keystone STARS. While no longer required by OCDEL, individual programs may continue to require staff to complete this training if they determine it is beneficial. 

• Staff at Keystone STARS-Alternate Pathway programs will no longer be required to complete Professional Development (PD) Plans within the PD Registry Designation system. While no longer required by OCDEL, program leadership may continue to require staff to develop and maintain PD Plans. Additionally, all individuals employed by Alternate Pathway programs will continue to have access to the PD Registry system for this purpose. 

Although these changes become effective on July 1, 2026, Keystone STARS-Alternate Pathway programs will transition to the new requirements at their next designation renewal in the PD Registry Designation System occurring on or after that date. 

Beginning July 1, 2026, Cognia Early Learning Accreditation will be recognized as an approved STAR 4 Alternate Pathway. 

All early childhood programs currently accredited by Cognia — including those already designated as STAR 4 through the Keystone STARS Performance Standards — must submit a new Alternate Pathway application in the PD Registry Designation System to transition to this designation type. Cognia-accredited programs can apply for an Alternate Pathway designation in the PD Registry Designation System anytime but should do so prior to their next designation renewal date. 

Cognia-accredited programs that do not submit an Alternate Pathway application will be required to use the Keystone STARS Performance Standards when renewing their next full designation. 

Programs that earn Cognia accreditation in the future will be required to apply for a STAR 4 designation through the Alternate Pathway process once their accreditation is awarded. 

If you have questions or need support with the application process, please reach out to your Quality Coach or ELRC. 

Programs who are or become accredited through an OCDEL-approved STARS Alternate Pathway and wish to use this pathway for designation must complete the following steps in the PD Registry Designation System: 

• Claim their program’s Organization Profile in the PD Registry. View this tipsheet for more information on claiming an organization profile.  
• Refer to Appendix A: OCDEL Approved Keystone STARS-Alternate Pathways and Required Documentation for STARS Designation Applications and Renewals and compile appropriate documentation to demonstrate active accreditation status. 
• Using the Staff Report in the Registry Designation System, ensure that all staff information is correct including position titles and employment dates. Correct any inaccurate information and then verify the staff in the Registry. View this tipsheet for more information on verifying staff. (The Staff Report can be found on the program’s Organization Profile tab.) 
• Ensure that all current onsite leadership team members and teaching staff have completed their PD Registry Profile. A Registry Profile is considered complete when the Career Pathway Level is listed as “applied” or “verified” in the PD Registry and on the PD Registry Report, Staff Report. View this tipsheet for more information on this step.  

Complete instructions on applying for an Alternate Pathway designation in the PD Registry System can be found on Appendix B: Tip Sheet for Providers Applying for Keystone STARS Designation Through an OCDEL-Approved Alternate Pathway in the PD Registry Designation System

Programs using an OCDEL-approved accreditation must apply for a Keystone STARS-Alternate Pathway designation in the PD Registry system when they first become accredited and must renew their designation annually thereafter. 

Keystone STARS-Alternate Pathway programs are required to complete their annual designation renewal by the established renewal due date. If a renewal is not completed by the deadline, the program will be moved to a STAR 1 designation. 

• Self-Reporting Requirements: 
  Keystone STARS-Alternate Pathway programs must self-report any changes to their DHS certification status—including sanctions or refusals to renew—to their accrediting agency. Failure to report such changes may result in the program being ineligible to use a Keystone STARS-Alternate Pathway in the future and may impact their current designation.  Programs may also be subject to additional investigations and recoupment of funds, if applicable.   

• Accreditation Status Updates: 
  Programs must notify their ELRC of any changes to their accreditation status, including the loss of accreditation. Failure to report such changes may result in the program being ineligible to use a Keystone STARS-Alternate Pathway in the future and may impact their current designation.  Programs may also be subject to additional investigations and recoupment of funds, if applicable.