August 2023

Upcoming ELRC Region 17 Events

Local Leadership Council

Wednesday, August 16th from 1:00pm - 2:30pm

Register here

Health & Safety Regional Task Force

Wednesday, September 27th from 1:00pm-2:30pm

New Announcements on Fire Safety Requirements for Pennsylvania Certified Child Care Providers

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL), Bureau of Certification Services and Bureau of Early Learning Policy & Professional Development has released two Announcements: C-23-01 Fire Safety Requirements for Group Child Care Homes (in a residence) and Family Child Care Homes and C-23-02 Fire Safety Requirements for Child Care Centers and Group Child Care Homes (in a Commercial Space). The purpose of these announcements are to describe the fire safety requirements for Department of Human Services (DHS) certified group child care homes (in a residence) and family child care homes regulated under 55 Pa. Code, Chapters 3280 and 3290; and to describe the fire safety requirements for Department of Human Services (DHS) certified child care centers and group child care homes (in a commercial space) regulated under 55 Pa. Code Chapters 3270 and 3280. All DHS certified group child care homes (in a residence) and family child care homes must maintain compliance with the applicable fire safety laws contained in the Human Services Code; the Fire and Panic Act (family child care homes only); the Pennsylvania Construction Code; and applicable regulations relating to smoke alarms or systems. Smoke alarms or systems must always be operable. All DHS certified child care centers and group child care homes (in a commercial space) must maintain compliance with the applicable fire safety laws contained in the Human Services Code, the Pennsylvania Construction Code, and applicable regulations relating to fire detection devices or systems. Fire detection devices or systems must always be operable. The guidance contained in these announcements also applies to school-age programs (in a residence) not located in a school-building pursuant to 55 Pa. Code §3280.221(b)(2).

Deadline Extended for Child Care Providers to Order Two Free Carbon Monoxide Detectors

Certified child care providers have until the extended deadline of August 31, 2023, to order one or two Carbon Monoxide Detectors. The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is making these detectors available to child care providers who received their Certificate of Compliance before July 1, 2023. The ordering and placement of detectors is not a regulatory requirement. Certified child care providers should have received an email from School Health with directions. See the original release for more details.

Back To School

Best of luck to all students as they get ready to start a new school year! All school-aged Child Care Works children will change from Full Time summer care to Part Time school year care on Friday, September 1, 2023, regardless of any local school district’s specific academic calendar.

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Bureau of Certification has released the Certification Newsletter for the Summer of 2023 and August 2023 PA Early Ed News. Both newsletters contain information, reminders and tips to help children and staff have a safe summer season while participating in child care programs. PA Promise for Children has great resources to help children prepare. Check out their newsletters below!

Learning Is Everywhere

Kindergarten Here I Come

Kindergarten Here I Am

Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) Region 17 provides a single point-of-contact for Montgomery County families, early learning service providers and community members looking to gain information and access services that support high-quality child care and early learning programs. ELRC Region 17 can help families find the best child care for their children by offering links to many services, including Child Care Works, Pennsylvania’s child care subsidy program.

Through ELRC Region 17, child care professionals can obtain support in building quality outcomes for children by working with quality coaches to achieve Keystone STAR 3 and 4 status, building connections with community partners and supporting children and families in accessing additional services, such as PA Pre-K Counts, Head Start, home-visiting and Early Intervention. Please review our monthly newsletter and email us at elrcregion17@pa.gov with questions!

Early Learning Resource Center Region 17

In partnership with Montgomery County Dept of Health and Human Services

P.O. Box 311, 1430 DeKalb Street

Norristown, PA 19404

Phone: (610) 278-3707

Fax: (610) 278-5161

Email: elrcregion17@pa.gov

Website: montcopa.org/elrc