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Program Quality Assessment in Pennsylvania
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What’s today? What was yesterday? What’s tomorrow? The response heard is typically the same; various days yelled out by a large group of preschoolers crowded on a circle carpet, or a square carpet that we call the circle rug. Children don’t understand the concept, but yet it is heard daily in many preschool classrooms. Has anyone stopped to ask why? Is this relevant to a 3 or 4-year-old?
  Catch Up on Past Posts
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I can’t think of a better way to kick off 2017 than with the launch of “Let’s Talk Quality! Program Quality Assessment in PA!” We are so excited to welcome you to the Program Quality Assessment team’s very first blog post! This is the team’s newest venture and one that we have been working hard to get up and running. We look forward to sharing exciting news and information about what’s happening across our great state with early childhood providers like you! 

Close your eyes and imagine when you were a child. What was your favorite toy? I’m sure you would probably name a familiar toy that children still enjoy. Walk into any early childhood or school-age classroom and you’ll find a child playing with your favorite game, pretending to be your childhood superhero, or even reading a book you read over and over again.

We take it for granted when children play. Parents often ask, “Why are they playing all day? What could my child possibly be learning?” When children play they explore and learn so much about themselves and the world around them. Through play children learn many things. That’s why play is so important.

You're Invited to a High Quality Preschool Classroom

Please join us for a fun-filled time observing in a high quality preschool classroom!

The ERS scales expect each child to have individual cubby/storage space that is not shared with anyone else. Why is individual storage important?

The world is a busy place and TV, videos, iPads and computers fill the day leaving less time for dramatic play. School-age children learn best from hands on experiences and dramatic play can be a fun way to learn.


Mealtimes are busy times for teachers and children. When you’re dealing with 15 hungry 3 year-olds, it can be a challenge for even the calmest, coolest teacher to manage the high demand. Providing a pleasant experience at mealtimes encourages children to have a positive attitude toward food and promotes healthy eating habits.

Hand Washing

With the continuation of the cold and flu season, it is a good time to review the proper hand washing procedures based upon guidelines from Pennsylvania DHS and Caring for Our Children, Third Edition (Standard 3.2.2.2).

Keystone STARS Re-Visioning Update: Proposed Supports For Keystone STARS Programs

As part of Keystone STARS Revisioning, OCDEL and stakeholders involved in the process want to make sure that limited resources are being used as effectively as possible to provide quality early learning opportunities especially to at-risk children.

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The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) provides families access to high quality services to prepare children for school and life success. 
  
Find more information about Quality Early Learning in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania Department of Education  |   Pennsylvania Department of Human Services
Pennsylvania Keys to Quality  |   Pennsylvania's Promise for Children
Early Intervention Technical Assistance