Pennsylvania Awarded the Preschool Development Renewal Grant 



The Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) received a three year Preschool Development Birth Through Five Renewal Grant (PDG-R) to build upon the initial grant which ended in 2020. OCDEL is the primary recipient of the $16 million renewal grant in direct partnership with the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

OCDEL will use PDG-R funds to conduct an updated needs assessment, create marketing materials in other languages to support compulsory school attendance, provide additional early childhood mental health supports for both families and staff, enhance the PD Registry, expand the coaching model for early childhood education staff, provide training and resources to support families and children experiencing homelessness, and mini-grants to early learning providers to help expand facilities in child care deserts and obtain supports for challenging behaviors.

OCDEL will share additional information about PDG-R grant plans as they become available.

January Release of PA Early Ed News

The January 2023 release of the PA Early Ed News is now available. Read the monthly e-newsletter to discover the latest developments in early childhood education and care in Pennsylvania.

Past editions are also available.

January Family Newsletters   

Share with families in your program the January editions of family-friendly newsletters. Each newsletter contains activities that align with the PA Early Learning Standards, book recommendations, and resources.

• Learning is Everywhere
• Kindergarten Here I Come
• Kindergarten Here I Am

Upcoming Regional Meetings for PA Pre-K Counts

Any eligible applicant applying for a PA Pre-K Counts grant is highly encouraged to participate in at least one regional meeting. Opportunities for regional networking are a means to coordinate and collaborate on required Requests for Application (RFA) items, such as community needs assessments and partnerships, which will be highly prioritized during the RFA process. Regional meetings are taking place throughout the state. Upcoming meetings include:

• Jan. 20 in Malvern, PA at PaTTAN East
• Jan. 24 in Edinboro, PA at Northwest Tri-County Intermediate Unit
• Jan. 26 in Greensburg, PA at Westmoreland Intermediate Unit
• Jan. 27 in Allentown, PA at Community Services for Children

Register for one of these meetings, or get info about other regional meetings.

Is Your Program an Equity Champion?

Is your child care, evidence-based home visiting, early intervention, or organization which supports Pennsylvania’s Early Childhood Education programs doing great work around equity? Consider submitting for the 2023 PA's Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Awards! The award bring awareness to and highlight the equity work being done in Pennsylvania. Applications should be submitted electronically by the Feb. 1, 2023, deadline. Visit the Pennsylvania Key website for more information and how to apply.