This email newsletter update provides helpful information from the Bureau of Certification.
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Greetings,

While all of us at OCDEL appreciate Pennsylvania child care providers each day of the year, we would like to take today as National Provider Appreciation Day to say thank you and recognize child care providers, teachers, school-age program staff, child care center directors and staff, and all those who work with children and are responsible for their education and care.

Pennsylvania's future is stronger because of your dedication and commitment, as well as due to the positive impact you have on families and children.

Thank you,

Tanya Vasquez, Director
OCDEL Bureau of Certification 
Updating Regulations for Family Child Care Homes
1 
The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is 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. For more information please review the information here.  

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.
New Universal Application for Child Care
Certificate of Compliance
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There is now one application form for all child care provider types to complete when seeking to obtain or renew a Certificate of Compliance. This new universal form can be used by Family Child Care Homes, Group Child Care Homes, and Child Care Centers.

View and download the new application form.
Reminder: Complete the New Health & Safety Training Requirements by September 2017
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Free online training is available now for 9 of 10 required topics.

One new requirement of the federal Child Care Development Block Grant is for all child care directors and staff to complete training on 10 health and safety topics by September 30, 2017. Please see OCDEL's Announcement for more information.

In order to meet the new requirements:
  • Take a free, six-hour "Health & Safety Basics: Requirements for Certification" course online through Better Kid Care or in person through the Regional Key, or provide transcript of courses already taken that meet the requirements.
AND 
  • Must take face-to-face Pediatric First Aid and CPR training.
Child care certification representatives are checking professional development records for these topics as part of inspections and new providers must complete pre-service training on the 10 topics before submitting an application.

Visit the PA Key website  or contact your Regional OCDEL Certification Office for more details.
The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning supports families 
and their children, from prenatal through school age, by using data, research and 
stakeholder guidance to assure high quality services.