Deadline: September 18, 2023

The Council for Professional Recognition is inviting the early childhood education (ECE) field to participate in sharing feedback regarding their recent review of the CDA Competency Standards. The Council, along with the Children’s Equity Project, and a team of technical subject matter experts, has diligently reviewed the current National Child Development Associate® (CDA) Competency Standards and proposed updates to align with the latest trends regarding equity in the field. The Council has opened up a 30-day open comment period to gather your feedback from the field.

Learn more and share your feedback by September 18, 2023.

Educators may be eligible to obtain a Spanish CDA. Interested individuals should first determine if their program is a bilingual or a Spanish speaking setting with their director. Additional questions can be directed to Amy Barrett (amybar@pakeys.org).

The Pennsylvania Key is preparing to host quarterly office hours about the Child Development Associate (CDA). Participants can ask questions on provided topics, learn how to conquer barriers and gain a better understanding of the CDA process in Pennsylvania.

Dates and times will be announced on The PD Registry Facebook page and Pennsylvania's Promise for Children Facebook page.

A number of factors contribute to processing times for placement on Pennsylvania's Early Childhood Education (ECE) Career Pathway. At this time, priority is placed on initial and expedited applications. Renewals might experience a delay.

To see what date of submission is currently processing:

1. Log into your PD Registry account at papdregistry.org.
2. Once logged in, click your name in the top right corner.
3. Under the "My Personal Profile" header, there is a box with further information about processing times.

Educators who hold any degree (including a high school diploma) from a foreign country are required to have their degree/transcripts evaluated (course by course for college) by an approved organization so that they may be appropriately placed on Pennsylvania's Early Childhood Education (ECE) Career Pathway.

The Pennsylvania Key administers reimbursement stipends of up to $150.00 per evaluation per individual for foreign degree evaluations in order to offset the associated costs. Evaluation services must be completed by a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) or the Association of International Credential Evaluators (AICE).

Fore more information, step-by-step instructors and more, visit pakeys.org/foreign-degree-evaluation.

In English

Do you have a question about trainings in Spanish? Do you need assistance in completing your career pathway in the PD Registry? We are here to help! Join us for monthly office hours in Spanish where you can get answers to questions and get to know us at the Pennsylvania Key! View flyer with more information.

Zoom Meeting Room: berksiu.zoom.us/j/3545572374

Dates and Times:

• September 27th | 1:30p-2:30p
• October 30th | 6:30-7:30p
• November 29th | 1:30p-2:30p
• December 14th | 1:30p-2:30p

En Español

¿Tienes alguna pregunta sobre los entrenamientos en español? ¿Necesita ayuda para completar su trayectoria profesional en el Registro de PD? ¡Estamos aquí para ayudar! ¡Únase a nosotros para el horario de oficina mensual en español, donde puede obtener respuestas a preguntas y conocernos en Pennsylvania Key! Ver folleto con más información.

Sala de reuniones Zoom: berksiu.zoom.us/j/3545572374

Fechas y horarios:

• 27 de septiembre | 1:30p-2:30p
• 30 de octubre | 6:30-7:30p
• 29 de noviembre | 1:30p-2:30p
• 14 de diciembren | 1:30p-2:30p

How can I search for approved PQAS instructors?



To search for approved PQAS Instructors within the PD Registry, follow the below steps:

1. Log into papdregistry.org.
2. Within the left-hand menu, click Search Instructor Directory
3. Complete/select the criteria within the Instructor Directory. (NOTE: If looking for an approved Pediatric First Aid/CPR PQAS Instructor, select the Pediatric First Aid and Pediatric CPR within the Endorsements section.)
4. Click Search Instructors to view your search results.

How do I locate FREE Pediatric First Aid/CPR events?



To locate free First Aid/CPR trainings, please follow the below link/steps.

1. Go to pakeys.org/firstaidcpr.
2. Scroll down to the Approved Instructors from Early Childhood Education Professional Development Organizations (ECE PDOs) section.
3. Next click on the neon green Contact & Learn More depending on your area.

How do I search for Pediatric First Aid/CPR events within the PD Registry?

To search for Pediatric First Aid/CPR events, follow the below steps:

1. Go to papdregistry.org.
2. Select Search Training Events in the left-hand menu.
3. Within the Area of Interest section, select First Aid/CPR.
4. Click Search.
5. Click Register.
6. Follow payment steps.

For Independent Instructor or Organization Other Than The Pennsylvania Key:

Refund request must be made directly to the instructor. Refunds for these events are not offered by the Pennsylvania Key and it is up to the discretion of the instructor to offer a refund. To contact the instructor, follow these steps:

1. Click on the My PD tab within your personal profile on the PD Registry.
2. Click on the event title.
3. Scroll down to the contact information of the instructor to find the email.
4. Send the instructor an email with information pertaining to the refund request. 

For Pennsylvania Key Courses:

Request a refund by submitting a ticket to registry@pakeys.org with:

• Your Name;
• Your Registry ID#;
• The Event Title; and
• The Date And Time Of The Training.

In the PD Registry, search for trainings offered by The Pennsylvania Key and OCDEL by selecting Act 48 in the Areas of Interest drop down menu of the Training Event Search.

1. Click on Training Event Search in the left, black menu.
2. Click the ACT 48 option in the Areas of Interest drop down menu.
3. Scroll down and click Search.
4. The events that offer ACT 48 will appear and may be selected to register. 

Many Better Kid Care courses offer Act 48 also. Looking to find out if other courses qualify for Act 48? Follow the link Public Access (pa.gov), select View Approved Providers, and search the training organization to see if they offer Act 48. Keep in mind, not all courses qualify for Act 48 per PDE guidelines.  

Registry ID#

The Registry ID# is a seven-digit number assigned to your account on the Pennsylvania PD Registry. This number tracks all professional development taken through the Registry. Your Registry ID# is listed in your Personal Profile. The Registry ID number is assigned to you for credit for Professional Development taken within the PD Registry. 

PPID #

• The Professional Personnel ID (PPID) is a seven-digit number assigned by The Pennsylvania Department of Education to track Act 48 hours for anyone maintaining teaching certification(s). The PPID number must be listed within your personal profile to receive ACT 48 credit for any Pennsylvania or OCDEL courses offered within the PD Registry.
• This number can be obtained by accessing the Professional Education Record Management System (PERMS). More information can be found by visiting perms.pa.gov and clicking Find your Professional Personnel PPID Number.

The correct ID# must be used to accurately record hours in each system.

If you do not have, or need, a PPID# for Act 48 reporting, remove that information in the PD Registry. from your Personal Profile by selecting Edit Personal under the Personal Tab. Remember that this is not your Registry ID number and should not be entered in the PPID section under your personal tab.

If you have a PPID#, verify the correct number is on the Registry in your Personal Profile under the Personal Tab. This will ensure your ACT 48 credits are awarded in a timely manner. 

For successfully completed Better Kid Care courses to appear on your PD Learning Record in the PD Registry, you must:

• Use the same valid email address on the PD Registry and Better Kid Care website.
• Provide the same information including address to both websites; and
• Share your correct Registry ID# in your Better Kid Care account.
• If you are obtaining Act 48 hours, share your correct PPID#

Courses from Better Kid Care are only uploaded to the PD Registry twice a month (approximately the 15th and the 30th). 

If the information on both your PD Registry account and your Better Kid Care account match and/or a month has passed, contact the PD Registry team (registry@pakeys.org) for further assistance. 

For security purposes, the PD Registry team can only speak to the account holder regarding login or account assistance. Directors and supervisors should not call or email on an employee’s behalf unless there are extenuating circumstances, in which case the staff member must be present on the call for assistance. 

If a staff member is having trouble with their account or is missing professional development on their Professional Development Learning Record, that staff member should email registry@pakeys.org or call 1-800-284-6031 for assistance.

You are receiving this email because you have a registered email address on The PD Registry. If you think you are receiving this email by mistake or you would like to unsubscribe, please email registry@pakeys.org or call 1-800-284-6031.

Find more information about Quality Early Learning in Pennsylvania 

Pennsylvania Department of Education  |   Pennsylvania Department of Human Services

The Pennsylvania Key  |   Pennsylvania's Promise for Children

Early Intervention Technical Assistance

The Pennsylvania Key | 200 N. 3rd St. | Harrisburg, PA 17101

1-800-284-6031 | registry@pakeys.org | www.pakeys.org | www.papdregistry.org