We are aware of the issues with the 1-800 line. Please know that we are actively working on the phone system and hope to have it stabilized shortly. If you need immediate assistance, please submit a ticket to registry@pakeys.org.
3 days ago, The Pennsylvania Key
The Pennsylvania Key is closed today, Monday, September 7, 2026. We resume normal hours on Tuesday, September 8, 2026, and look forward to connecting with you when we return! Thank you!
about 2 months ago, The Pennsylvania Key
Brick wall background with "Urgent" notification: "Important Notice" text. Notification states "The Pennsylvania Key is closed today."
The Pennsylvania Key is closed on Friday, July 3, 2026. Our office resumes normal hours on Monday, July 6, 2026. We apologize for any inconvenience and look forward to connecting with you!
4 months ago, The Pennsylvania Key
Fireworks explode over a body of water at night. Text overlays: "The Pennsylvania Key will be Closed Today. Read full post for details."

Shade is Cool—Literally! 🌳⛱️ The sun is strongest between 10 AM and 4 PM—help kids play it safe! ☂️ Set up a shade tent or umbrella 🌳 Find trees for natural shade 🎨 Take playtime breaks indoors with crafts or books Let them recharge in the shade like pros! #PlaySmart #SunSafeKids #StayCool #SunSafetyWeek

5 months ago, The Pennsylvania Key
Playground with slides and a blue canopy. The text "Sun Shade, please!" is on the upper right.

This National Teacher Appreciation Week, we want you to know: The impact you've made on us will never fade, it will always grow. 🌱✨ You’ve shaped our minds, inspired our hearts, and guided our way. Thank you for everything, today and every day. 💙📚

6 months ago, The Pennsylvania Key
A chalkboard displays "Happy Teacher's Appreciation Week!" in yellow with icons like a rocket, blocks, a bear, and a paper airplane.

Sunscreen Superheroes! 🦸‍♂️🧴 SPF 30+, apply 15 mins before play, and reapply every 2 hrs (or after water fun)! Make sun safety part of their playtime routine. #SunSafeKids #SunscreenSuperhero #NationalSunSafetyWeek

6 months ago, The Pennsylvania Key
A young child with a blue hat sits with their eyes closed. Text reads "Sun Screen, please!"

You protect your child’s physical health. What about their mental health? Check out these 7 ways to support your child’s emotional & mental wellbeing 👶 IECMH for pros 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 Family resources

6 months ago, The Pennsylvania Key
Poster showing three people hugging. Title reads "7 Ways to Help Your Kid Develop Good Mental Health."

🎓 Su educación es importante: ¡nos encantan nuestros educadores internacionales! Los profesionales de la primera infancia de Pensilvania ahora pueden obtener la evaluación de sus títulos internacionales sin costo alguno a través del programa Evaluación de la educación internacional. Obtenga más información en ➡️pakeys.org/international-education-evaluation

6 months ago, The Pennsylvania Key
A graphic displays a graduation cap, a globe, and text in Spanish. Text reads "Evaluación de Títulos Extranjeros Sin Costo."

🎓 Your education matters—We love our international educators! Pennsylvania’s early childhood professionals can now get their international degrees evaluated at no cost through the International Education Evaluation program. Learn how ➡️ pakeys.org/international-education-evaluation

6 months ago, The Pennsylvania Key
Advertisement for free foreign degree evaluation by International Education Evaluation Initiative, featuring a graduation cap and globe.

Throughout May 📆, we're celebrating Children's Mental Health Awareness Month. Stick around 🙋 for facts & statistics about children's mental health 🧠, mental health resources for children & families 🙌🏾, tips for parents and caregivers to support children's mental health, and more! #EarlyChildhood #MentalHealth #HealthyFamilies #Children #Families #Awareness

6 months ago, The Pennsylvania Key
Group of children with smiling faces on a light background. Stars and text "Children's Mental Health Awareness Month".
🌈 Happy National Teacher Appreciation Week to our Early Childhood Educators! 🌈
Thank you for nurturing little learners with patience, playfulness, and endless heart. You build the foundation for a lifetime of curiosity and confidence, one story time, one gentle reminder, and one encouraging smile at a time.

From tying tiny shoes to celebrating big milestones, you create classrooms where children feel safe, seen, and excited to explore their world. Your work plants seeds that grow for years.

To every early childhood educator who sings the songs, wipes the tears, sparks the giggles, and believes in every child’s potential — we appreciate you more than words can say. 💛✨
6 months ago, The Pennsylvania Key
A girl in a white shirt raises her hand before a chalkboard with a space-themed drawing and "Thank You Teacher" text.

In PA, early learning programs participating in Keystone STARS have access to a free and powerful resource: Infant and Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation. Learn how it is helping early educators build brighter, stronger futures for PA’s children.

6 months ago, The Pennsylvania Key

Two children sit in different schools. Both struggle to read. Both have similar low scores on national tests. But while one gets a diagnosis of specific learning difficulties and a package of support, the other is left to fall behind. This article explains why some children with learning difficulties are identified, while others aren't.

6 months ago, The Pennsylvania Key

By the time children reach elementary school, teachers can usually predict which students will volunteer answers, speak easily in front of the class, and move comfortably through discussion, and which will hesitate, look down, or remain silent even when they understand. Learn more.

6 months ago, PA's Promise for Children
Executive function skills are a set of inter-related processes that support attention, self-control, and goal-directed behavior. Executive function has been linked to positive outcomes across multiple domains of development. The skills associated with executive function develop rapidly during childhood and promote longer-term health, academic success, and well-being. https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-03-covid-disrupted-young-children-function.html
6 months ago, The Pennsylvania Key
When kids learn about where food comes from and how it grows, they are more likely to eat it. Try out these farm-to-table activities from CACFP, including a fun coloring sheet, to get the kids in your care excited about food. https://www.cacfp.org/2021/03/01/free-activity-page-farm-to-table/
6 months ago, The Pennsylvania Key
Despite all the time, energy, and resources spent on educational interventions, we often overlook how to help people remember what they’ve learned. Research shows that knowledge sticks best when we apply it (spaced practice) and actively recall it (spaced retrieval) –the more we revisit it, the longer it lasts.

Learn more about how spaced practice supports learning retention at The Education Hub. 📚 https://theeducationhub.org.nz/spaced-practice-and-its-role-in-supporting-learning-and-retention/

Child care professionals: iLookOut's interactive, story-based Mandated Reporter Training has a follow-up Advanced Training with gamified, micro-learning activities designed to help you retain what you’ve just learned. Completing both iLookOut trainings not only meets state requirements but earns you 6 hours of continuing education credit (all at no cost) and helps you better protect in the children in your care. 🌟 Learn more at https://www.ilookoutpa.org/
6 months ago, The Pennsylvania Key
Blue background with a light bulb icon, text "FACT" above and "When we learn something new, we typically forget half of it within 6-10 days" below.
🌟 Happy After School Professionals Appreciation Week! 🌟
Today we celebrate the incredible staff who create safe, engaging, and inspiring spaces for children long after the school day ends. Your energy, creativity, and commitment help kids learn, grow, and feel supported in those important after‑school hours.
Thank you for leading activities, building relationships, cheering on every child, and making each afternoon a place where students can thrive. Our programs shine because of you! 💛

#AfterSchoolProfessionals #ThankYou #AfterschoolHeroes #ChildDevelopment #PAKids #EducationMatters #SupportOurStaff #AfterschoolPrograms #PennsylvaniaPromise #CelebrateEducators
6 months ago, The Pennsylvania Key
A colorful banner with multicolored bunting at the top reads, "A Big Thank You! To After School Professionals!"

🌎 Earned your degree outside the U.S.? You can now have your international education evaluated for free! Get personal support every step of the way and connect your results right to your PA PD Registry account. Learn more ➡️ pakeys.org/international-education-evaluation

🌎 ¿Obtuvo su título fuera de los EE. UU.? ¡Ahora puede hacer que se evalúe su educación internacional de forma gratuita! Obtenga asistencia personal en cada paso del proceso y conecte sus resultados directamente a su cuenta del Registro de PD de Pensilvania. Obtenga más información ➡️pakeys.org/international-education-evaluation

7 months ago, The Pennsylvania Key
A graduation cap and tassel over a globe, with text "NO COST FOREIGN DEGREE EVALUATION" and details about an international education evaluation.
A graduation cap with a yellow tassel is displayed on a globe. Text reads "Evaluación de Títulos Extranjeros sin Costo" with a URL.
🌱 Thriving Thursdays is back!
This week, we’re focusing on Building Social and Emotional Competence of Children in Families—because strong feelings, healthy relationships, and confidence start at home.

✨ In this release, you’ll find:
✔ Why social and emotional competence matters
✔ Actionable steps families can use right away
✔ Trusted resources to grow and learn together

🔗 Read the full release:
👉 https://ow.ly/rYeM50YEZO3
7 months ago, The Pennsylvania Key