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| Early Childhood Education in Pennsylvania | |
Confluence Podcast: Episode 11 – Getting to Know OCDEL’s Bureau Directors, Because Connection is Key to Our Work!
Episode 11 of the Confluence Podcast, Getting to Know OCDEL’s Bureau Directors, Because Connection is Key to Our Work! from the PA Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) features guest host Netta Radzinski. Netta facilitates the conversation with the Bureau Directors of OCDEL: Christine Baldini, Ruby Martin, Nia Harris, Luisa Olivo-Wolf, and Dr. Kimberly Rode, who share their backgrounds, insights, and goals as they work daily with their teams to meet the needs of Pennsylvania’s early learning providers.
The monthly podcast takes listeners on a journey through the complexities of OCDEL’s Bureau of Certification Services and DHS Certification Services Bureau, in partnership with stakeholders across the commonwealth, most importantly, Early Childhood providers, children, and families. Listen to Episode 11 or catch up on past episodes.
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Apply Now to Serve on The Pennsylvania State Advisory Council
The Pennsylvania State Advisory Council (SAC) is now accepting applications for family and professional leaders interested in serving on one of the Council’s five supporting subcommittees.
Participation on a SAC subcommittee is an opportunity to help shape discussions, provide feedback, and support initiatives that impact Pennsylvania’s early childhood education system, children, and families. The subcommittees serve as focused workgroups that provide specialized expertise, develop recommendations, and support the implementation of initiatives aligned with the Council’s broader goals and priorities.
As outlined in the Governor’s Executive Order, the SAC advises the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) on planning for the expansion and coordination of effective early learning and development services for young children and their families across the Commonwealth.
Family members, early childhood professionals, advocates, community partners, and system leaders are encouraged to apply. Complete the application here.
To learn more about the State Advisory Council, visit the State Advisory Council page.
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Ruby Martin Awarded the Caroline Stinehauser Prize
On May 7, 2026, OCDEL’s Director of Certification Services, Ruby Martin, was awarded the Caroline Stinehauser Prize from York County Community Foundation’s Women’s Giving Circle. The award honors individuals whose contributions to community-building has been marked by singular excellence, while bringing the community together to address complex challenges. Ruby was honored for her 35+ years as a champion for the early childhood education sector. Congratulations, Ruby!
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Keystone STARS Performance Standards Available in Spanish
The Keystone STARS Performance Standards are now available in Spanish.
The Performance Standards are guided by the principle that quality early learning programs are the foundation for children's success, and investment in the early care and education of Pennsylvania's children is an investment in the future. Therefore, the Keystone STARS Performance Standards reflect research-based practices to improve outcomes for children. The standards are organized into four STAR levels that build on each other to support continuous quality improvement. When a program meets the Performance Standards for a STAR level, it receives the mark of quality: a STAR designation. A Keystone STARS designation indicates that children are in a safe, respectful environment.
View the Spanish version of the Keystone STARS Performance Standards.
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State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC) Report Presentation
The parent and professional co-chairs of the Pennsylvania State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC), Sadia Batool and Dr. Kris Bowman along with the Director for OCDEL's Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports (BEISFS), Dr. Kimberly Rode presented the FY 2024-25 SICC for Early Intervention (EI) report to the First Lady of Pennsylvania, Lori Shapiro and Secretary of the Department of Human Services, Valerie Arkoosh on Thursday, May 28, 2026, at the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg. As a required function under IDEA, the SICC prepares and submits an annual report to the Governor and/or the Secretary on the status of EI programs for infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities and their families.
The Pennsylvania SICC for EI annual report includes data required by state and federal law and summarizes the number of children served in each county in EI, the settings where children receive services and support, and the state and federal funding utilized for EI over the past fiscal year. Also included in the report are testimonials from parents/caregivers about the impact of receiving EI services for their children and families.
The SICC for EI Annual Report can be accessed at the Pennsylvania State Interagency Coordinating Council - Early Intervention Technical Assistance Portal. For questions, please email RA-PWSICC@pa.gov.
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New PD Registry App Is Here!
We heard you, and we made it happen. The new PD Registry App is now available for Apple and Android devices, making it easier than ever for early learning professionals to manage their professional development on the go.
With the app, users can:
- Upload documents directly from their phone camera or files
- Access and manage their PD Registry anytime, anywhere
The app is free to download in the App Store and Google Play. Designed with Pennsylvania early childhood educators in mind, this new tool helps save time so they can stay focused on what matters most—supporting children and families.
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Early Learning Opportunities with the 2026 Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip
The 2026 Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip resource for families and early childhood educators is now available from PA's Promise for Children. The virtual road trip explores Pennsylvania's natural resources through early learning activities aligned with the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards.
This year’s theme, From Ground to Sky, encourages children to explore the natural world all around them, from the rocks beneath their feet to the native trees reaching high into the sky across Pennsylvania. Along the way, children will be invited to look closely, ask questions, and discover how nature connects to their everyday lives. The Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip is about learning side by side, slowing down, and enjoying simple moments in nature.
New this year are web-based, no-cost professional development opportunities for early learning professionals that will introduce concepts of mindfulness and play and link to the 2026 Summer Learning and Literacy Road Trip resources, which can be implemented in classroom or summer camp settings and shared with families. Check the PD Registry and search for the course Mindful Play for Children for more information.
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SICC Events Held and Report Presented
OCDEL’s Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Support, in collaboration with Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA) and the State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC), hosted a one-day, in-person Local Interagency Coordinating Councils (LICC) Summit on May 12, 2026, and a one-day, in-person SICC Retreat on May 13 in Harrisburg.in Harrisburg.
The purpose of the LICC Summit was to convene LICC co-chairs to review LICC Guidance, strengthen engagement among LICCs and key partners, explore strategies to increase family engagement within local councils, and encourage collaboration between LICCs and the SICC.
The May 13 SICC Retreat brought together SICC members and both parent and professional co-chairs of SICC committees for a day of reflection, planning, and connection. The retreat provided an opportunity to review progress since the May 2024 retreat, including the launch of SICC committees and the development of a new work plan for FY 2026–27.
Attendees included OCDEL and EITA staff, SICC members, and co-chairs (parent and professional) representing multiple LICCs from across the Commonwealth. OCDEL Deputy Secretary Shante` Brown also attended the LICC event and provided welcome remarks, emphasizing the importance of coming together and the power of collective commitment to delivering integrated Early Intervention services to Pennsylvania’s children.
To support participation at both events, family leaders were provided with lodging, travel, and childcare reimbursement, and honorarium for those who contributed to planning and presenting at the events.
On May 28, 2026, the parent and professional co-chairs of the Pennsylvania State Interagency Coordinating Council (SICC), Sadia Batool and Dr. Kris Bowman along with the Director for OCDEL's Bureau of Early Intervention Services and Family Supports (BEISFS), Dr. Kimberly Rode presented the FY 2024-25 SICC for Early Intervention (EI) report to the First Lady of Pennsylvania, Lori Shapiro and Secretary of the Department of Human Services, Valerie Arkoosh at the Governor’s Residence in Harrisburg. As a required function under IDEA, the SICC prepares and submits an annual report to the Governor and/or the Secretary on the status of EI programs for infants, toddlers, and children with disabilities and their families.
The Pennsylvania SICC for EI annual report includes data required by state and federal law and summarizes the number of children served in each county in EI, the settings where children receive services and support, and the state and federal funding utilized for EI over the past fiscal year. Also included in the report are testimonials from parents/caregivers about the impact of receiving EI services for their children and families.
The SICC for EI Annual Report can be accessed at the Pennsylvania State Interagency Coordinating Council - Early Intervention Technical Assistance Portal. For questions, please email RA-PWSICC@pa.gov.
Learn more about Pennsylvania's Interagency Coordinating Councils.
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Looking for Program Observation Instrument (POI) Professional Development? It’s Now Easier to Find!
Programs working toward a higher STAR level now have a simpler way to locate professional development that supports the Internal Assessment Process (IAP). A new Program Observation Instrument (POI) option has been added to the Area of Interest filter in the PD Registry.
To find available POI courses:
- Open the PD Registry
- Select Program Observation Instrument (POI) from the Area of Interest filter
- Click Search
This will display all 29 available POI asynchronous courses. These self-paced courses are open for registration year-round and may be completed at any time.
By default, courses are sorted by Training Start Date, which places the Spanish-language courses at the top of the list. To view the English-language courses more easily, you can either scroll through the listings or update the search settings as follows:
- Change Sort by to Title
- Change Direction to Descending
This will move the English-language courses to the top of the results.
After registering for a course, remember to access the Course Overview from your Upcoming Training Events list. The Course Overview includes:
- Important course details
- Required prerequisites
- Downloadable handouts and resources
- Instructions for ordering free materials that support course completion
Be sure to review this information before beginning your course.
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Apply Now for a Fall 2026 TEACH Scholarship
TEACH offers early learning professionals a debt-free higher education, supporting them while they work to become stronger teachers and earn thriving wages. If you know an early educator who would benefit from this opportunity, please share this upcoming deadline: Friday, July 10 for Fall 2026 (Semester begins mid-late August)
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis, but priority is given to complete applications submitted by July 10, 2026.
For more information and resources: Visit the PACCA website for the TEACH College Enrollment Checklist and a recording of our TEACH scholarship information session. Check out the Employer Resources page for a recording of the recent information session for employers.
Help early childhood educators grow—and strengthen programs—by encouraging them to apply for TEACH!
TEACH Early Childhood® Pennsylvania is supported by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) of Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS) and Pennsylvania’s Department of Education (PDE). For more information, visit dhs.pa.gov and education.pa.gov.
TEACH Early Childhood® Pennsylvania is a licensed program of Early Years and is administered by the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA).
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TEACH to Honor Scholarship Graduates
On June 10, 2026, Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA) and Start Strong PA will recognize the 2025-26 TEACH graduates at its 6th annual Graduation Celebration. Get more information and register for the virtual event.
Join in celebrating the accomplishments of the workforce behind the workforce!
TEACH Early Childhood® Pennsylvania is supported by the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) of Pennsylvania’s Department of Human Services (DHS) and Pennsylvania’s Department of Education (PDE). For more information, visit dhs.pa.gov and education.pa.gov.
TEACH Early Childhood® Pennsylvania is a licensed program of Early Years and is administered by the Pennsylvania Child Care Association (PACCA).
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Health Trends in Early Childhood
Each month, The Pennsylvania Key, in partnership with the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning, publishes Health Trends in Early Childhood, a focused update on important physical and mental health issues affecting children from birth to age five, as well as their families and caregivers.
What You’ll Discover:
- A clear overview of a current health trend, highlighting why it matters now.
- Insight into the impact on children, caregivers, and communities.
- Practical recommendations on what proactive steps providers and families can take.
- Direct links to reliable, expert‑level resources for further learning.
Why It Matters:
- Empowers educators and caregivers with timely, easy‑to‑use information.
- Up-to-date information, ideal for sharing among staff, families, and community members.
Spring and summer are great times to revisit past releases and find the information you need to help keep children, families, and early learning professionals healthy.
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Lifting Family Voices Using Your Story to Strengthen Programs and Spark Change
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) through the Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems (ECCS) Project, Family Supports Program, Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania, and Early Intervention Technical Assistance (EITA)'s Parents as Partners in Professional Development (P3D) initiative hosted a one-day in-person workshop in Allegheny County on May 20, 2026, Lifting Family Voices Using Your Story to Strengthen Programs and Spark Change. The workshop was designed for pregnant and parenting families of children aged birth to five receiving maternal and/or early childhood services in Pennsylvania.
The workshop provided tools and resources to empower families to craft and share their family stories, thereby strengthening maternal and early childhood systems across Pennsylvania. Family leaders were provided with lodging, meals, and reimbursements for childcare and travel expenses. As a follow-up to the workshop, OCDEL will host office hours to further support participants in developing their family stories.
Learn more about Pennsylvania’s ECCS Project.
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Pennsylvania Department of Health Requesting Child Care Providers to Complete the 2026 Annual Child Care Immunization Survey
Message from the Pennsylvania Department of Health: The PA Department of Health (DOH) is sending out the 2026 Annual Child Care Immunization Reporting Survey to all licensed child care providers to meet the immunization reporting requirements outlined in 28 Pa. Code § 27.77 (a)(4) Immunization requirements for children in child care group settings.
The DOH is asking all licensed child care providers to complete and submit the Annual Child Care Immunization Survey by August 31, 2026. Learn more.
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- June 11: UnConference: Out-of-School Time, Pittsburgh
- June 17: The Pennsylvania Farm to Child Nutrition Summit: Rooted in Resilience-Sustaining and Celebrating Collaborations, Philadelphia
- June 21-25: The PA Friends of Ag Educator’s Ag Institute 1.0, State College
- June 24-26: The PA Friends of Ag Educator’s Ag Institute 2.0, State College
- June 22-24: ACF's National Research Conference on Early Childhood (NRCEC), Arlington, VA
- July 15-18: NAFCC National Association for Family Child Care Conference, Chicago, Illinois
- Oct. 2-6: World Association for Infant Mental Health Interim World Congress, Toronto, Canada
- October 18-21: Save the Date: Pennsylvania ECE Summit, State College
- Dec. 5-8: NAEYC Annual Conference, Washington, DC
- Dec. 14-18: NHSA Parent & Family Engagement Conference, Nashville, TN
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Tomorrow! PA Farm to School Network Virtual Open House
The Pennsylvania Farm to School Network's virtual Open House happens tomorrow, June 4, from 3:00-4:30 PM. This open house is about Farm to School (FTS) in the summer, during which you will hear from a variety of FTS practitioners speaking on what programming can look like during the summer months. From farm camps to urban garden internships, to summer feeding programs, to the educator's agricultural institute, there will be plenty of great resources for everyone.
This event is open to anyone passionate about local food and student engagement. Register here to join virtually on June 4 to learn, connect, and celebrate farm-to-school in Pennsylvania.
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Proposal Opportunity: Childcare Services for L&I Parents’ Association Facility
- RSVP for Mandatory Site Visit Deadline: June 19
- Mandatory Site Visit: June 23
- Proposal Deadline: July 28
Do you have a passion for early childhood education? If so, the Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Industry’s Parents’ Association (LIPA) needs you. The Parents’ Association is officially seeking a dedicated, licensed child care provider to serve 47 children, ages 6 weeks to 5 years old, who will be enrolled full-time in the newly remodeled childcare facility in downtown Harrisburg, PA. The LIPA is committed to providing Commonwealth employees with high-quality, affordable, on-site, accessible childcare in a modern, convenient space. LIPA is seeking a child care provider who shares the vision of creating a nurturing, safe, and innovative environment that supports children's learning and growth.
A mandatory site visit will be held on Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. EST at the Labor & Industry Building at 651 Boas Street, Harrisburg, PA 17121, for all interested parties. During this site visit, all attendees will receive the Request for Proposal packet. Completed proposals will be due on Tuesday, July 28, 2026. If you would like to attend the site visit, please RSVP by Friday, June 19, 2026, at 5:00 P.M. EST to ParentsAssoc@pa.gov. Those with questions should contact the LIPA at ParentsAssoc@pa.gov.
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2026 Lights On Afterschool Poster Contest
Deadline: June 18
The Lights On Afterschool (LOA) poster contest is officially open, and this year, for any artwork that represents the spirit of afterschool programs. This includes murals, paintings, social media graphics, and anything else that celebrates afterschool.
Be creative! Encourage students to think of how their program has opened new opportunities for them and their friends. Look for artwork that can represent how after-school staff have been an inspiration or a mentor to you. Did your program help you find your passion for learning how to code? Is your favorite part of after-school sharing a snack with your best friend? Be sure to include the entry form and the name or program name of the person who designed the artwork.
The Lights On Afterschool poster contest is open to everyone. Learn more at The Afterschool Alliance website.
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Share with Families: Scholarship Opportunity for Families
Deadline June 15, 2026
Scholarships are available for FREE registration and lodging to attend the Building Knowledge to Know How Conference!
Don't miss this exciting event focused on autism, sensory disabilities, secondary transition, and students with complex instructional needs. Hurry, as scholarships are limited!
🗓️ Application Deadline: Monday, June 15, 2026
📌 Visit https://tinyurl.com/BK2KHFamily to apply
✅ Child Caregiver Reimbursement available
✉️ Questions? Contact: k2khscholarships@pattankop.net
Families with a child receiving Early Intervention or Special Education in PA services are eligible to apply!
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Share with Families: Virtual Parent Café Series DIVE INTO SUMMER!
Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania is accepting registrations for the Virtual Parent Café Series, DIVE INTO SUMMER! These Parent Cafés are designed for Pennsylvania families with children ages 0–5 who are receiving Early Intervention or Home Visiting services.
Parent Cafés are welcoming, supportive spaces where parents and caregivers can connect, share experiences, and have meaningful conversations with others who understand the joys and challenges of raising young children. Each Café is an opportunity to pause, reflect, and build connections with other families across Pennsylvania.
Cafes will be held on June 24, July 21, and August 11, 2026. Cafés are virtual, and there is no cost to participate. Please share the flyer with families who may be interested in participating.
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Warning Signs: State Child Care Assistance Policies 2025
The National Women’s Law Center has released its latest annual report on child care assistance policies in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The new report, Warning Signs: State Child Care Assistance Policies 2025, authored by Karen Schulman, demonstrates that while a few states made notable strides in their policies, many have taken steps backward and made little or no progress in addressing the shortfalls in their policies.
Of particular concern is the growth in waiting lists for child care assistance:
- Seventeen states had waiting lists or frozen intake for child care assistance in February 2025, an increase from 13 states in February 2024.
- There were more than 400,000 children on waiting lists for child care assistance by the summer/fall of 2025, compared to 225,500 children on waiting lists in February 2025, which was 106,700 more children than in February 2024.
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Breastfeeding May Provide On-the-Job Training of Self-Regulation: Longitudinal Links with Inhibitory Control
A recent study published in the journal Appetite suggests that infants who are breastfed may develop better self-control skills by the time they reach preschool. The findings provide evidence that breastfeeding gives babies early, regular practice in recognizing when they are full. This daily practice tends to improve their ability to manage their impulses and behaviors later in childhood.
| | June Family-Friendly Newsletters Now Available | |
The June editions of the family-friendly newsletters are here! Created for families and caregivers of young children—from birth through kindergarten—each issue is filled with fun, simple early learning activities that families can enjoy together at home and that professionals in early learning settings can use. These ideas support a child’s development and align with the Pennsylvania Early Learning Standards. You’ll also find helpful tips, resources, and tools to help families in their important role as a child’s first teacher!
Take a look, then share it with your family and friends. Subscribe to get the next release directly into your inbox.
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Storytime with the Second Lady, Usha Vance
The Second Lady, Usha Vance’s, new project, Storytime with the Second Lady, is designed to spark imagination and inspire young listeners. Each episode features Usha Vance and a special guest to share cherished children's stories. The goal is to engage children in reading with an accessible format for all families around the world. The Storytime Podcast is available on YouTube and Spotify.
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Nourishing Students Early Childhood Education Resources
The Center for Ecoliteracy’s Nourishing Students resources offer activities and recipes for educators, families, and school nutrition professionals featuring fruits and vegetables, including avocados, beans, carrots, cilantro, and radishes.
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10 Active Brain Break Ideas Lids Will Love
Shift your students from distraction to action by adding Active for Life's active brain breaks during the school day. After a brief brain break, you’ll find kids return energized, focused, and ready to learn.
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iNaturalist App
Get ready for summer camp field trips by downloading the free iNaturalist app to your smartphone. Allow it to use your phone's GPS. This comes in super handy for automatically giving the locations of organisms in parks. For each species you see, take a snapshot with your phone through the app. If you don't know what the organism is, don't worry! The app has incredible software that can help ID it with a single click by selecting "What did you see?" The app will fill in time, date, & location. That's all you need to do! No need to email or send any checklists; they will automatically be added to the park. The app is available for Apple and Android users.
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Pollinator Toolkit of Activities for Teachers
The Pollinator Toolkit of Activities for Teachers from Subject to Climate contains everything needed to bring pollination to life for grades K–5. Including lessons on insects, bats, & other pollinators that build ecosystem biodiversity & support student inquiry.
| | Calendar of Activities for Early Learning Professionals | |
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
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