Welcome to the ECE Recap where you can find the
most recent and important information from the
Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL).
Participation is Now Open for the 2022 Child Care Market Rate Survey

The 2022 Child Care Market Rate Survey has now been mailed to all licensed child care facilities in Pennsylvania and may be completed online OR on paper. The survey was printed on light purple/ lilac paper and the envelope looks like this. The 2022 Child Care Market Rate Survey was announced in the July Edition of the PA Early Ed News and more information can be found here.
 
At the end of the survey, a provider can enter the optional drawing for one of 100 $100 Amazon e-gift cards. Triple chances to win by returning the survey by September 1, 2022!
 
Surveys will be collected until October 11, 2022. For those with questions about the 2022 Child Care Market Rate Survey or who need help submitting the survey, should contact the Institute of State and Regional Affairs at ChildCareResearch@psu.edu or leave a toll-free voicemail at (866) 982-6433.
Announcement C-22-05, Obsolete Bureau of Certification Services Policy Announcements

On July 21, 2022, the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning, Bureau of Early Learning Policy and Professional Development and Bureau of Certification Services released the Announcement C-22-05, Obsolete Bureau of Certification Services Policy Announcements. This Announcement notifies DHS certified child care facility operators and Bureau of Certification Services staff of obsolete certification policy announcements.  
Supporting Children with Disabilities or Other Special Health Care Needs In ECE Programs

All children have the right to equitable learning opportunities that help them achieve their full potential as engaged learners and valued members of society (from the NAEYC position statement on equity). Young children learn best through every day experiences and interactions with nurturing people in familiar contexts. Child care providers and other early childhood education (ECE) programs create settings in which children have many natural opportunities to practice and learn through every day activities and routines. Early Intervention (EI) professionals coach and support family members, caregivers and child care and other ECE professionals in a child’s life through embedding meaningful and functional outcomes within familiar learning opportunities that exist in the child’s typical routines, in home and ECE programs as described in the child’s IFSP/IEP. EI professionals can help child care and other ECE programs in making accommodations and modifications, as well as individualized planning, and services to support children with disabilities or other special health care needs.

As detailed in the CDC COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs (cdc.gov), when implementing COVID-19 safety protocols, child care providers and ECE programs should remain accessible to children with disabilities by helping provide access to direct service providers (DSPs) which includes: Early Intervention professionals, paraprofessionals, therapists, mental health and healthcare consultants, and others.

This requirement is also found in child care regulations § 3270.17. Service to a child with special needs:
(a)  The operator shall make reasonable accommodation to include a child with special needs in accordance with applicable Federal and State laws.
(b)  The operator shall permit an adult individual who provides specialized services to a child with special needs to provide those services on the facility premises as specified in the child’s IEP, IFSP or written behavioral plan.

EI professionals who experience access issues to ECE programs while providing coaching and support to children with disabilities or special needs as per their IFSP/IEP should contact their Regional Child Development Offices.