April 11, 2024

View as Webpage

OCDEL Announces 2024 Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Award Recipients

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is honored to recognize the work of the early childhood education (ECE) programs and professionals with the 2024 Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Award.


The Pennsylvania Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Award highlights the vital impact around equity for staff, children and families within early childhood education settings. Learn more about this award and about ECE equity in Pennsylvania.


The 2024 Awardees include:


Gold Level

  • Bennett Family Center, University Park
  • Carnegie Science Center, Pittsburgh
  • Chelten Child Development Center, Dresher
  • Community YMCA of Eastern Delaware County, Lansdowne
  • French Creek Valley Christian Childcare, Saegertown
  • Innovation & Exploration STEM Early Center, Huntingdon Valley
  • J.A.M. Christian Daycare, Kennett Square
  • KR Early Learning Center, Allentown
  • Lehigh Valley Children’s Centers at Coaldale, Allentown
  • LGA-Lil Geniuses Academy, Philadelphia
  • Lyn Mitchell, Director of Early Childhood Education, Capital Area Head Start, Harrisburg
  • Pre-K Kids Learning Center, New Castle
  • Reading Area Community College, Reading
  • Reading Daycare, Reading
  • Steeple Kids, Langhorne
  • The Children's School at Saint John's, Bala Cynwyd
  • The Goddard School, West Chester
  • The Robert and Maureen Dunham Children's Learning Center at Penn College, Williamsport
  • Tri County Community Action, Harrisburg
  • Tumble Totts LLC, Philadelphia
  • United Neighborhood Centers of NEPA, Scranton
  • Ya-Ya's Place Family Daycare, LLC, Philadelphia


Silver Level

  • AIU/Steel Valley Family Center, Homestead
  • Brightside Academy, Allegheny Avenue  , Pittsburgh
  • Dare 2 Dream Daycare & Learning Center LLC, Wyoming
  • GEARS Kids Center, Elizabethtown
  • Jack Safer, President & CEO, Brightside Academy, Pittsburgh
  • Jessica Jenkins (York County EIS and SPEC), York
  • Michelle Stevens Group Day Care, Chester 


Bronze Level

  • Dr. Shawna Starling, Vice President of Intervention and Development Services, Brightside Academy, Pittsburgh
  • Extraordinary Dreamers Early Learning Academy, Philadelphia
  • Family & Friends Child Care Center, Lansdale
  • Kiddie City Early Learning Center, Whitehall
  • Little Eden Daycare, Philadelphia
  • Loving Life Lehighton Preschool, Lehighton
  • Shady Lane School, Pittsburgh
  • TLC Too (NEGD), Philadelphia


The Pennsylvania Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Award brings awareness to and highlights the equity work being done within Pennsylvania’s early childhood education and afterschool settings, by child care, evidence-based home visiting and early intervention professionals and organizations which support the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC), Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education Position Statement. Eligible applications received were reviewed by teams using a rubric.


An appreciation event will be held at the Pennsylvania State Capitol Rotunda, 501 N 3rd St, Harrisburg, PA 17120, on Wednesday, April 24, 2024, beginning at 2:00, and is open to the public.

Did you receive this from a friend? 
Click here to subscribe and get the PA Early Ed News directly to your email.

The PA Early Ed News is a project of the PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning, and the PA Departments of Education and Human Services to inform early learning professionals, the early childhood community, policymakers, community leaders and the public on developments in early childhood education and care in Pennsylvania.

Find more information about early childhood education in Pennsylvania 
Please share this email with friends, family and colleagues. 
WE ARE WHERE YOU ARE
Facebook  Twitter  Instagram  Youtube  Pinterest  Linkedin