Welcome Governor Shapiro and Secretaries

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) welcomes Governor Josh Shapiro, sworn in as Pennsylvania's 48th Governor on Jan. 17, 2023. Governor Shapiro has named Khalid Mumin, Ed.D. as Acting Secretary of Education, and Valerie A. Arkoosh, M.D., MPH as Acting Secretary of Human Services.

OCDEL looks forward to working with the administration to create opportunities for the commonwealth's youngest children to develop and learn to their fullest potential.

OCDEL is jointly overseen by the Department of Human Services and the Department of Education. 

Director Instructor- Pennsylvania Quality Assurance System (PQAS)

The Pennsylvania Key continues to accept Director Instructor applications at this time. Approvals of applications are temporarily on hold as the Pennsylvania Key works with OCDEL to address the alignment of Professional Standards and Competencies for Early Childhood Educators with Director Instructor content.



Directors may pursue a PQAS application and create their own content in alignment with competencies they are approved for based on expertise and/or education.

Visit PQAS Applications at the Pennsylvania Key website for information on applying to become a Professional Development Instructor. 

Contacting the PD Registry

Did you know there is a dedicated phone line to contact the PD Registry team at the Pennsylvania Key? For questions or support related to the PD Registry and the QRIS system, please call 1-800-284-6031.

If you have any other questions or need support in other areas and would like to speak with a Pennsylvania Key team member about CDA Vouchers, Rising Tuition Assistance, Director Credentials, PA Pre-K Counts, or other Departments, you can call the main Pennsylvania Key number at 1-844-569-7253. 

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:

• TOMORROW! 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
• Jan. 31 in State College, PA at Central Intermediate Unit

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

Feb. 1 Deadline for 2023 PA's Equity in Early Childhood Education Champion Awards

Feb.1, 2023, is the deadline for child care, evidence-based home visiting, early intervention, or organization which supports Pennsylvania’s Early Childhood Education programs to submit 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.