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).
Invitation to Provide & Submit Feedback Regarding Pennsylvania’s Certification Regulation Rewrite Project

OCDEL invites the larger early childhood community to provide and submit feedback using the OCDEL Certification Regulation Rewrite Project Feedback Tool by August 19, 2022. 

This is not a formal public comment period and is meant to be an extra level of engagement with the Early Childhood Education community. OCDEL wishes to keep the ECE community informed; provide transparency and build trust in the process; offer the opportunity to react to the drafted proposed certification regulations; and build support for the changes. 
Updated Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning

On Aug. 11, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated the Operational Guidance for K-12 Schools and Early Care and Education Programs to Support Safe In-Person Learning. Changes include:
  • Removed the recommendation to cohort
  • Changed recommendation to conduct screening testing to focus on high-risk activities during high COVID-19 Community Level or in response to an outbreak
  • Removed the recommendation to quarantine, except in high-risk congregate settings
  • Removed information about Test to Stay
  • Added detailed information on when to wear a mask, managing cases and exposures, and responding to outbreaks
Announcement Revised C-19-01, Verifying Compliance with the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act

On Aug. 12, 2022, the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development and Bureau of Certification Services released the Announcement Revised C-19-01, Verifying Compliance with the Pennsylvania Safe Drinking Water Act. The updates include providing additional information regarding changes of the verification process for child care centers with an on-site water source that is in a stand-alone public water system such as a strip mall. Revisions to Announcement C-19-01 are provided in red text within the Announcement. Read more.
What You Need to Know about Monkeypox

The United States is seeing an increase in Monkeypox, also referred to as MPX. Monkeypox is not like COVID-19, and it is much less contagious. The current risk of getting monkeypox is very low for the general public, but it's still good to know the facts about the symptoms, prevention and what to do if you get sick.

At this time, Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)is not issuing any specific guidance to early learning programs related to MPX. Child care providers should continue to follow best practices related to hygiene and sanitation and follow their established policies and procedures for staff and children who show signs of being sick.

Questions about Monkeypox can be referred to the MPX information available on Pennsylvania's Department of Health's (DOH) website: Monkeypox (MPX) (pa.gov) and Monkeypox Virus Fact Sheet. For additional information, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has MPX resources. If an entity cannot find the information they need at these sites, they can contact DOH using 877-PA-HEALTH.
Enter for Chance to Win Gift Card After Completing the Market Rate Survey

Did you know after school programs and certified child care providers who complete the Market Rate Survey (MRS) can enter the optional drawing for one of 100 $100 Amazon e-gift cards? Those completing the MRS by September 1, 2022, will receive triple chances to win! The MRS results will allow OCDEL to evaluate future child care related programming and policy decisions, ​including Child Care Works rate setting. Completion of the survey by Pennsylvania child care providers is crucial in this process. Learn more.
ELRC 22-05: Sunset or Obsolete Keystone STARS Policy Announcements

On Aug. 4, 2022, OCDEL released the ELRC 22-05: Sunset or Obsolete Keystone STARS Policy Announcements which provides an update to all DHS certified child care providers and other Early Childhood Education (ECE) programs participating in Keystone STARS on sunset or obsolete policy announcements. Read more.