Greetings!

Welcome to the Mid-State Regional Key STARS Newsletter!! 
STARS Updates from the Mid-State RK
Conference Call with MSRK - June 12th!

MSRK will be hosting a conference call on Monday, June 12th from 1-2pm as a follow up to the OCDEL webinars held this week as an introduction to the New Keystone STARS system.  On this call we will provide you with updates, clarifications and answer some questions you may have regarding the standards and what this means to you.  If you have questions you would like us to address, please forward them to your STARS Specialist.  We will try to get to as many of these as possible. We hope you can join us either on Monday or at one of the many community meetings we have schedule in the upcoming weeks.  The call in number for Monday is 1-800-791-2345  Participant Code: 31096# 
OCDEL News & Updates  
Keystone STARS Re-visioning Launch webinars

For more than a year, OCDEL has worked with the Keystone STARS Think Tank and stakeholders to revise the Keystone STARS system to support quality improvement in early care and educational programs while reducing administrative burden. 

In anticipation of the July 1 launch, OCDEL is hosting three Keystone STARS public webinars this week.  The first two were held on Monday and Tuesday.  If you didn't get a chance to listen in, the final session will be on Friday. Please click the link below to register.

During these webinars, attendees will preview the new Performance Standards, new coaching and financial supports, and the process for moving up the Keystone STARS ladder. 

If you cannot attend, recordings and materials will be posted on the PA Keys website.  

Join Us After the Re-visioning Webinars for our STARS Re-visioning Work Groups!

  • 6/12/17, 1:00-2:00 Monday Conference Call with the Regional Key, 1-800-791-2345   Pin: 31096#
  • 6/20/17, 10:00-12:00 at Calvary Kid Care, 150 Harvest Fields Dr, Boalsburg, 16827 with Elizabeth & Michaelle 
  • 6/20/17, 1:00-3:00 Cumberland & Dauphin counties at Capital City Mall Food Court with Corrie, Alyssa Christina & Jen D.
  • 6/20/17, 4:30-6:00 at Tioga County, Calvary United Methodist Church, 6 Franklin St, Lawrenceville with Erica
  • 6/21/17, 10:00-12:00 at United Way of York Community Room with Carrie & Jen D.
  • 6/22/17, 12:30-2:00 at Lebanon YMCA Office with Corrie
  • 6/22/17, 6:30-8:00 at Lancaster Farm and Home Center with Jenn W, Alyssa & Jen D
  • 6/23/17, 11:00-1:00 at Union County Library, 255 Reitz Blvd, Lewisburg 17837 with Michaelle
  • 6/23/17, 12:30-2:30 at Lancaster Farm and Home with Jenn W, Jen D, Alyssa 
  • 6/27/17, 10:00-12:00 at STEP Head Start Building, 2138 Boyd Street, Williamsport Conference Room 1 with Erica
  • 6/27/17, 6:30-8:30 pm at Child Care Consultants, 29 N Duke Street, York with Jen D. & Carrie
  • 6/28/17, 11:00-1:00 Perry County at Newport Assembly of God Child Care, 253 North 6th Street, Newport 17074 with Michaelle
Family Provider News

Child Care Consultants, Inc. is now a CACFP sponsoring agency for Home Based Providers in 21 Counties!

Studies show that a key indicator of a quality child care home is participation in the CACFP.  

You are partially reimbursed for serving healthy meals to children.

Joining the food program makes "cents".  More information here!

The CACFP benefits your business and families. Get started today!

Contact:  Megan Cook, Child Nutrition Specialist
Child Care Consultants, Inc.  |  29 N. Duke Street  York, PA 17401
717-771-8557 | 1-800-864-4925 | [email protected]
www.childcareconsultants.org
Health & Safety News 
DHS IMPORTANT DEADLINE APPROACHING!!!!

An important deadline is quickly approaching!  The Federal Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) requires all staff in certified child care programs to have training in 10 critical health and safety topics by September 30, 2017. 

  You may complete most of your requirements for FREE :
  • Online training.  “Health and Safety Basics: Requirements for Certification,” a free, six-hour online module via Better Kid Care, contains 9 of the 10 federal topics with the most up-to-date, medically approved information available for health and safety in child care settings. Access online at http://extension.psu.edu/youth/betterkidcare/on-demand. You can save your progress and finish the training over multiple sessions.
  • Face-to-face training. Attached is a listing of free trainings in your area. To register and search for other trainings, log into the PA Key Professional Development Registry
  • Go to www.pakeys.org and click “Login” in the upper right corner.
  • Login if you have an account; if not, click “New users create an account here.”
  • Once you are logged in, click on “PD Registry” in the left menu.
  • Click on “For FREE Health and Safety Basics: Requirements for Certification, visit the course catalog and view the requirements.”
  • You can refine the catalog courses by clicking on the list view and selecting the category “Federal Health & Safety Requirements for Certification” to see the available training in your area.
You will also need to complete Pediatric First aid and Pediatric CPR training. You can find trainings near you on the Professional Development Registry.

Please do not wait to complete your training. If you are having difficulty attending a session or accessing the online training, please contact your Regional Key. 

Health & Safety Basics: Requirements for Certification-CCDBG  is a free 6-hour training course available in both online and face-to-face formats, which meets 9 out of 10 Federal Health and Safety Requirements for all staff in certified child care programs by September 30, 2017.* 

Take the course in a face-to-face format. Click Here to to see the schedule, sorted by Regional Key. You may travel to attend a session in another Regional Key if that suits you.  


Calling All Creative Kids!

2017 Get Smart Competition for Young Artists and Writers

Draw a picture, design a poster or write a story about keeping healthy!

  • Deadline for submission is 10 p.m., October 31, 2017
  • Three children each from five different age groups will win prizes!
  • Winning entries will be displayed on the Get Smart website.

For guidelines, information and where to submit your entries click here.
Something to Consider - Carrie Kitchen 
Father’s Day is coming soon!

We know parents are a child’s first and primary teachers, and that each parent has a unique way of caring for and interacting with his or her child.

Play is the most frequent activity that fathers engage in with their children. The quality of interactions in a father-child relationship positively impacts children’s cognitive, social, and moral development, including peer relationships.

What can Early Care Providers do to actively engage fathers?

  • Be clear about why involving fathers is important to program staff.
  • Acknowledge fathers as skilled, knowledgeable, and important caregivers.
  • Recognize that fathers have an impact on cognitive, emotional, and social development, as well as child health.
  • Make a conscious effort to reach out to fathers, seeking their feedback on how they would like to be involved.
  • Actively demonstrate to fathers how they can have a positive impact. For example, use role play, video tapes, or handouts describing activities that young children enjoy.
  • Systematically evaluate the needs that fathers have and the programs developed in response to these needs.
  • Realize that each father has strengths, needs, and concerns — individualizing is key.

From the Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL)
Nutritional News
The Food Trust ECE Provider Survey
Hello,

The Food Trust is conducting a  survey  of child care providers in Pennsylvania about farm to early care and education (farm to ECE) practices. Farm to ECE is a group of activities and strategies that offer increased access to healthy, local foods, gardening opportunities and food-based learning activities to enhance the quality of the educational experience. Farm to ECE activities support healthy eating habits, create a connection to local food and agricultural communities, and teach children how food grows.

We are aiming to reach a wide variety of ECE providers from across the commonwealth and would appreciate your help in distributing the survey among your networks. Results from this survey will help shape effective programs to best serve children and families in Pennsylvania. ECE providers can access the live web link and take the survey  here . All licensed early childhood programs serving children ages 0-5 and operating within the commonwealth of PA are eligible to participate in this survey. In appreciation of their time, ECE providers may select to be entered into a drawing for one of three $50 gift cards. Providers are asked to complete the survey by Monday, June 26.

Thank you for your help!

Julia Miller

Intern, The Food Trust  
SACC News -Rhea Simmons
Time Out as a Strategy for Self- Regulation

By the time we have become adults, most of us have developed self-regulation strategies that we use when we are feeling stressed out. Often these strategies include removing ourselves from a stressful situation- to “give ourselves a minute” or “take a break” or just walk away. This self-directed “Time Out” allows us to regroup and perhaps release negative energy, so that when we return to the situation, when we can act calmly and think clearly.

As the adults in the room, we sometimes  provide Time Out as a punishment when children have been disruptive or broken the rules, but rarely does it prevent the re-occurrence of misbehavior.  But when we use Time Out exclusively as a form of discipline after the act, we miss out on opportunities to help children develop the ability to recognize their own triggers, and to discover ways to manage their emotions before misbehavior occurs.   In this context, Time Out can be a valuable teaching tool.

For more information about teaching Time Out, visit the Responsive Classroom link: https://www.responsiveclassroom.org/time-out-teaching-self-regulation/
Join us for a STARS Networking Meeting! 

STARS Re-Visioning Work Groups

  • 6/12/17, 1:00-2:00 Monday Conference Call with the Regional Key, 1-800-791-2345   Pin: 31096#
  • 6/20/17, 10:00-12:00 at Calvary Kid Care, 150 Harvest Fields Dr, Boalsburg, 16827 with Elizabeth & Michaelle 
  • 6/20/17, 1:00-3:00 Cumberland & Dauphin counties at Capital City Mall Food Court with Corrie, Alyssa Christina & Jen D.
  • 6/20/17, 4:30-6:00 at Tioga County, Calvary United Methodist Church, 6 Franklin St, Lawrenceville with Erica
  • 6/21/17, 10:00-12:00 at United Way of York Community Room with Carrie & Jen D.
  • 6/22/17, 12:30-2:00 at Lebanon YMCA Office with Corrie
  • 6/22/17, 6:30-8:00 at Lancaster Farm and Home Center with Jenn W, Alyssa & Jen D
  • 6/23/17, 11:00-1:00 at Union County Library, 255 Reitz Blvd, Lewisburg 17837 with Michaelle
  • 6/23/17, 12:30-2:30 at Lancaster Farm and Home with Jenn W, Jen D, Alyssa 
  • 6/27/17, 10:00-12:00 at STEP Head Start Building, 2138 Boyd Street, Williamsport Conference Room 1 with Erica
  • 6/27/17, 6:30-8:30 pm at Child Care Consultants, 29 N Duke Street, York with Jen D. & Carrie
  • 6/28/17, 11:00-1:00 Perry County at Newport Assembly of God Child Care, 253 North 6th Street, Newport 17074 with Michaelle

Other Community Meetings 

ECE Coalition Meeting 6/14/17, 1:00-3:00 at BLaST Intermediate Unit 17, 33 Springbrook Drive, Canton.  RSVP Desiree Rockwell [email protected]

Lycoming County Early Learning Team 6/15/17, 11:00-1:00 at James V. Brown Library,  19 E. 4th Street, Williamsport, RSVP Angela Mamrak [email protected]
Professional Development Updates  
Register on the  PD Registry  

Training Highlights 

Administrators’ Tool Kit on Preventing Early Childhood Suspension and Expulsion 

PaTTAN Pittsburgh: 7/25/17
PaTTAN Harrisburg: 7/26/17
PaTTAN East: 7/27/17

There will be an AM & PM session repeated at each location. Choose only one.
9:00 – 12:15 PM and 1:00 – 4:15 PM
Registration - 8:30 AM and 12:30 PM

Workshop Description:
This half day session will provide administrators of early learning programs a hands on experience in identifying characteristics of their program that potentially increase the risk for early childhood suspension or expulsion and planning systemic changes to minimize this risk. Participants will start with a program self-assessment. The self-assessment results will guide exploration and use of the online toolkit, “Preventing Suspensions and Expulsions in Early childhood Settings” and planning strategies that will address the needs of individual programs. This is NOT and in-depth behavior training intended for practitioners, it is an orientation for administrators to a free on line tool kit.

Training Hours:
3 Act 48 Clock Hours, 3 Infant Toddler Training Hours, and 3 PQAS Training Hours. PQAS code is K2C3.  You need to arrive on time and stay until the end to receive the training hours.

Register at: www.pattan.net

See more information here.


Last Minute PD Events!

  • June 13, ITERS, 6:30-8:30, CAECTI, 2001 N. Front Street, Building #1, Harrisburg

  • June 27, E3, 6:00-9:00, York Day Nursery, 450 E. Philadelphia Street, York

 *E3 PD is “A Strengths Based Approach to Best Practice Using the ECERS, Third Edition”

Sign up for the above courses in the PD Registry on the pakeys.org website.

NEXT WEBINARS On ECIW:

New On Demand Modules- Better Kid Care:

Each link above includes an informational flyer for you and also to share the information with others.

Training Lists  

Online Training 
Grant Reminders & Updates
Grant Closures  – If you have received your grant funds, please keep in mind that you must CLOSE your grant by the date listed on your grant agreement, or by June 30th, whichever comes first. Again this year, you are not required to send in receipts with your closing paperwork. However, you MUST KEEP your receipts on file for your records. We conduct on-site monitoring visits for 25% of our grants. If your grant is selected, your receipts will be reviewed to confirm that you purchased and spent what you attested to in your closing paperwork. If you are unable to document your purchases, you will be required to return your award funds and will risk suspension of your STAR level. 
Resources from our other ECE Partners

Information from OCDEL Bureau of Certification 
Updating Regulations for Family Child Care Homes 

The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is working on clarifying how the number of children in care are counted - and not counted - when a person legally operates a Family Child Care Home in Pennsylvania. 

OCDEL is currently working to update the regulations for Family Child Care Homes as they now must be certified in Pennsylvania and no longer registered. Since Family Child Care Homes are now certified, the definition of related children under Article X applies to Family Child Care Homes in addition to Child Care Centers and Group Child Care Homes. 

The number of children in care in a Family Child Care Home may not exceed six children at any one time who are unrelated to the operator. Related children do not count in the maximum of six.  Here is the definition for relative: child, step-child, grandchild, brother, sister, half-brother, half-sister, niece, nephew, foster child, great grandchild, great step-grandchildren, stepbrother, stepsister or first cousin. 

OCDEL plans to change the definition of relative with the revisions to Chapter 3290 in the proposed regulations. Until the proposed changes to the regulations are final, Article X is the authorization for using the definition above. 

This change in definition means that, when assessing the related children in a certified Family Child Care Home, nieces, nephews, great grandchildren, step grandchildren count as a relative and can be excluded from the unrelated count. 

The operator may provide care to no more than five related and unrelated infants and toddlers at one time as stated in the regulation noted below. 

§ 3290.52. Ratio requirements. 
The operator may provide care to no more than five related and unrelated infants and toddlers at any one time. No more than two related and unrelated infants may receive care at any one time. The following numbers of infants and toddlers are permitted in a family day care home: 
(1) If no infants are in care, five toddlers are permitted. 
(2) If one infant is in care, four toddlers are permitted. 
(3) If two infants are in care, three toddlers are permitted. 

Family Child Care Home providers are reminded that children must be supervised at all times and critical oversight is required in which the provider can hear, see, direct and assess the activity of the children. 

For further information or clarification please contact your Regional OCDEL Certification Office.

Central Regional Office: 1-800-222-2117
Newsletters and Community Events  
Thank you for all you do for children, families, and your community by being part of the STARS program!

Sincerely,

Mid-State Regional Key/Child Care Consultants
(717) 854-2273 or (800) 864-4925    [email protected]
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