Welcome to the ECE Recap where you can find the
most recent and important information from the
Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL).
Shante' A. Brown Announced as Director of Bureau of Certification
The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning has announced Shante’ A. Brown as the new Director of the Bureau of Certification. Ms. Brown is a dedicated early childhood education leader with over a decade of experience in leading child care programs. She believes in connecting people to resources and building strong community relationships. Prior to this role, she served as the director of the PHLpreK program, Philadelphia’s locally funded pre-K initiative. A 2019, Drexel University School of Lebow “Leading for Change” fellow, Ms. Brown holds a B.S.Ed in Early Childhood - Elementary Education, M.S. in Reading Education and an EdS in Teacher Leadership. She is a genuine advocate for the field, and committed to positive outcomes for children, families and providers in the state of Pennsylvania. 
Time Remains to Apply for Child Care COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Award
There is still time for early childhood education providers to apply for the Child Care COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Award. Deadline for submitting applications is Feb. 12, 2021. The one-time award of $600 is paid to eligible child care employees and child care support staff of Pennsylvania Department of Human Services (DHS) certified child care providers. The award will be issued on a first-come, first-served basis. Funding will be distributed regionally and be limited. Read more.
Space Heater Guidance for Use Outside the Measured Child Care Space: Winter COVID-19 Screening
As Pennsylvania enters the coldest part of winter, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has received questions about the use of portable outdoor heaters during the traditional drop-off hours. As a strategy to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, OCDEL advised child care providers to establish daily screening procedures outside the facility, when possible. Read more.