COVID-19 Resources
As we progress through this extraordinary time, we are here to serve as a resource for PennAEYC members and the early care and education community. Please know we are trying to share anything coming out of the government that could be helpful, recognizing each program or concept may not help everyone.
Advocating for Early Education Providers
NAEYC statement on how essential child care is in these unprecedented times and their resource page Coping with COVID-19
NAEYC’s data from child care surveys
As a result of the stop-gap budget that passed in May 2020 a second budget bill was needed to fund many appropriations for the remainder of the year, including child care. On Friday, the House and Senate passed SB 1350 which funded the Child Care Services and Child Care Assistance appropriations at FY 19-20 levels for the remainder of the fiscal year. The twelve months of level-funding for Pre-K Counts and the Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program which were provided in May were maintained. Evidence-based home visiting services were also level-funded. Gov. Wolf signed SB 1350 into law as Act 17A of 2020. Please read the statement from Early Learning PA regarding the FY 20-21 state budget. PennAEYC will continue to work with its advocacy partners in Early Learning PA and its individual advocacy campaigns to fight for you.
Previously in 2020…
You did it! We did it! $125 Million Allocated to Save Early Learning. On May 28 the Senate and House voted unanimously to pass the stimulus bill authorizing the spending of the majority of the $3.9 billion in federal CARES Act funding and the Governor signed it! The bill includes:
- $116 million to stabilize child care providers
- $9 million for to help stabilize Pre-K and Head Start providers, including offering summer programs if it is safe to do so
In addition the Wolf Administration announced the plan to release $51 million in federal CARES Act child care (CCDBG) funding. This is another step forward for programs serving subsidized and private pay children in recovering a portion of lost revenue from subsidy parent co-pays and private tuition.
Get current advocacy efforts details by joining both the Pre-K for PA and Start Strong PA issue campaigns. We urge you to take action today to help #SaveChildCare by clicking this link.
Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Announcements and Information
COVID-19 Relief Funding for Early Learning Programs
Federal Paycheck Protection Guide
Paycheck Protection Program Grants for HOME-BASED and SMALL Center sites
Early Childhood Education CARES Act Funding Child care providers should complete the Provider Attestation Form: Attestation Form (PDF). The completed Provider Attestation Form must be sent to your ELRC using your preferred form of correspondence. Contact information can be found at ELRC Contact Information (PDF). OCDEL determined eligibility and amount of award based on provider type, Child Care Works (CCW) subsidy enrollment, and regional capacity. Full details can be found here.
Vaccination Information
- OCDEL Announcement on Vaccinations
- State Vaccine Page
- Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions
- How to Prepare for Your Vaccine
Phased-in Reopening Resources
- CDC guide on making the decision to reopen Childcare-Decision-Tree
- CDC Guidance for child care
- Phased-in Business Reopening Guide
Additional Announcements, FAQs and Waiver details
- Updated Quarantine Recommendations for Persons Exposed to COVID-19
- Announcement C-20-13, Reopening of Certified Child Care Facilities Temporarily or Permanently Closed Due to COVID-19
- Protocols for reopening of certified child care facilities temporarily or permanently closed due to COVID-19
- Announcement 20 #17 Child Care Works Payment During the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency
- Announcement C-20-09-Revised, Emergency Temporary Relocation of Facility due to the Governor Issuing a Declaration of Disaster – Specific to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Revision
- DS Announcement 20 #02: COVID-19 Related Policies Announcements and Communications that are Sunset or Obsolete
- Announcement DS-03, Inclusion of All Children in Early Childhood Education Programs in Pennsylvania
- Announcement C-20-12, Interim Guidance for Certified Child Care Facilities Operating During the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic
- Guidance for families interested in establishing learning pods
- Notification of Operation as Non-Licensed School-Age Provider Form
- Announcement 20 #15, Changes to Policy Regarding Parents/Caretakers Caring for Their Own Children in a Child Care Setting During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Announcement: ELRC-20 #14, Keystone STARS Designation Process for FY 20-21
- C-20-11 Non-Licensed Part-Day School Age Child Care (SACC) Program or Learning Pod Notification of Operation
- Licensed Facility COVID Data Collection User Guide and FAQs
- Announcement C-2-04 Revised Suspension of Regulatory Requirements for Certified Child Care Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic
- Announcement ELRC – 20 #13, Updates to the Child Care Works School-Age Blended Rate Payment Policy for the 2020-21 School Year
- Announcement ELRC – 20 #11, Restoring Child Care Works Payment Practices Based on Attendance and Invoicing for All Children
- OCDEL – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Announcement C-2-09, Emergency Temporary Relocation of Facility due to the Governor Issuing a Declaration of Disaster – Specific to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Announcement: ELRC-20 #10 Child Care Works Payment for Child Care Providers Closed Due to a Positive COVID-19 Case – Sunset 9/30/2020
- Announcement: ELRC-20 #09, Child Care Works Payment Modifications Due to Impacts related to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Sunset 8/31/20
- Announcement: C-20-06 REVISED, Interim Guidance for Certified Child Care Facilities operating during the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic
- Announcement C-20-07, Fire Safety Training for Child Care Centers may be obtained online during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- OCDEL Announcement ELRC-20 #08 Child Care Works Payment Modifications Due to Impacts related to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) replaces ELRC 20-#07 – Sunset 6/30/20
- School Age Child Care Update 8-7-2020
- FAQ for Families Considering Child Care
- Summer Camp and Recreation Guidance
- OCDEL Guidance on Masking Children
- CDC Guidance for open child care sites
- Early Intervention Services
- OCDEL Announcement ELRC-20 #07 Child Care Works Payment Modifications Due to Impacts related to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) replaces ELRC 20-#05 Sunset 5/31/20
- PA Key Coronavirus Resources
- OCDEL Update 4-13-2020
- DHS COVID Licensing Message.3.30.20.FINAL
- Clarification of Closure Notices and Child Care
- Guidance for Child Care Providers Caring for Children of Essential Personnel During COVID-19
- Announcement ELRC-20#5 Revised Child Care Works Payment Modifications Due to Impacts related to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Sunset 4/30/20
- Announcement ELRC 20 #04 Child Care Works Payment Modifications Due to Impacts Related to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (replaced Announcement ELRC 20 #03)
- Announcement ELRC 20 #03 Reporting Early Learning Programs Closings Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Announcement C-20 #02, Operational Recommendations for Early Childhood Providers Due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Pre-K Counts (PKC) and Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program (HSSAP) COVID-19-related closure and modified program operations FAQs
- Waivers for CACFP During COVID Closure Final 2-23-20
- Provisional Hire Waiver Application – OCDEL asks that if you plan to submit a provisional hire waiver please do so by sending an email to the RA account RA-PWDRACERT@PA.GOV and not through postal mail or fax.
OCDEL, Bureau of Certification, in collaboration with the Pennsylvania Key, has recorded webinars on the CDC guidance for child care providers including:
- Implementing The CDC Guidance for Child Care Programs that Remain Open (CDC Version 4.21.20). Topics include: Handling sick children and staff, how to practice social distancing, when to exclude care and masks and cloth face coverings. Recording, May 21, 2020 (YouTube) Slide Deck (PDF)
- Implementing The CDC Guidance for Child Care Programs that Remain Open (CDC Version 4.21.20). Topics include: cleaning and disinfecting practices, exclusion and return to care criteria, screening staff and children upon arrival, FAQ Recording May 14, 2020 (YouTube) Slide Deck (PDF)
- Implementing the CDC Guidance for Child Care Programs that Remain Open (CDC Version 4.21.20) Recording May 7, 2020 (YouTube) Slide Deck (PDF)
- Child Care During COVID-19 and Reopening Child Care with Tracey Campanini and Tanya Vasquez Recording May 6, 2020 (YouTube) Slide Deck (PDF) School Age Care Reopening During COVID-19 Recording May 6, 2020 (YouTube)
- Group Child Care Centers That Remain Open from PA’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Recording April 29, 2020 (YouTube) Slide Deck (PDF)
- Family Child Care Centers That Remain Open from PA’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Recording April 29, 2020 (YouTube) Slide Deck (PDF)
*OCDEL has noted that documents will be updated and re-released on a recurring basis as new information becomes available.
General Resources
We encourage you to continue to consult these resources for updates on COVID-19, information on staying healthy, and updates on the situation in Pennsylvania.
- Pennsylvania’s centralized information
- Pennsylvania Department of Health
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Resources for Providers
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- PA Department of Human Services – Guidance developed by PA DHS
- PA Department of Labor and Industry
- Unemployment Compensation – Apply Online
- PA Department of Community and Economic Development – DCED
- US Chamber of Commerce COVID19 Small Business Loan Guide The guide is based on the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. Read the Spanish version of the guide.
- Managing Infectious Diseases in ECE video
- FDA Updates: Warning on Hand Sanitizers with Methanol
- City of Philadelphia resources
- City of Pittsburgh resources
- Pennsylvania Key
- Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) Frequently Asked Questions
- Resources on homelessness and how to help
We also encourage you to visit www.sharedsourcepa.org for helpful resources that you can use with families and staff to reduce the level of anxiety, communicate what is known to be most appropriate health, hygiene and safety practices, as well as interim guidance for child care businesses.
Professional Development for Providers
PennAEYC has a list of upcoming online sessions on our Upcoming Events page. We also want to share other resources from partners across the state:
- Devereux Center for Resilient Children
- Cabrini University’s 2 online courses in early education Cabrini’s Flyer for ECE PDO PHMC Grant
- Considerations for Child Care Programs Open During the COVID-19 Pandemic Meeting Recording and slides DOH PaKeys Covid-19 Cleaning and Disinfection Considerations for Childcare Providers
- Holding Space: Let’s talk about Reassurance, Regulation, Relationships, Resilience: ECE Directors group ECE Families group and ECE Teachers group
Resources for Providers and Parents
upgradedpoints.com/best-virtual-museum-tours/(opens in a new tab)
Our partners at NAEYC host a a site for families, NAEYC for Families. Our partners in Southeast PA at First Up: Champions for Early Education has a list of parent resources. Also, our partners in Southwest PA at Trying Together host a parent page.
- Resources for Encouraging Children to Wear Masks
- PBS Learning at Home
- PBS Kids
- Sesame Street in Communities
- How Coding Provides Skills to Help Children Deal with Stress
- Parenting Counts activities
- GUMDROP: Babies Learn Sounds and Words from You
- Are Print Books Better for Toddlers Than e-Books
- Learning from Home with PA Public Television
- Fred Rogers’s Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
- Britannica for Parents
- Stories from Space (stories read by astronauts in space)
- Best Museums in Dubai (recommended by school-age kiddos)
- 75 Best Museum Tours
- Khan Academy
- TEDed
- Boston Children’s Museum Virtual Tour
- San Diego Zoo Kids
- Cincinnati Zoo Home Safaris
- Georgia Aquarium Webcam
- National Park Virtual Tours
- Lakeshore Learning’s Learn at Home
- Free drawing lessons for children
- Better Kid Care On Demand Web Lessons
- Scholastic Learn at Home
- Resources for Infant Toddler Workers
- Sesame Street Caring for Each Other
- Stem Starts Now
- Storytime STEM
- Free stories on Audible
- Zero to Three
- Nature Activities for Families
- Natural Start Alliance
- HiMama Free Activities
- Mommy Poppins
- What we do all day
- Family Guide
- Choosy Kids
- Ready Rosie
- Class Dojo
- My Peers (Through Administration on Children and Families)
- Dragon Spirit Arts Studio free on-line yoga
- Teaching 2/3 Year olds
- Family Education including homemade paydough recipes and rainy day activities for kids
- Hands on as we grow
- 52 Weeks of Creative Ideas – Parent Handout
- National Geographic Kids
- Wonderspring Early Education Resources
- 10 Things You Can Do When You’re Stressed
- 50 Things You Can Control Right Now
- Language Development: Discovering Your Superpowers
- STEM Challenge: Creating Contraptions
- Math Station:Using Math to Stay Safe
- STEM Challenge: Float Your Boat
- Science Discovery: Fun with Shadows
- Science Discovery: The Colors of Nature
- Learning at Home: Asking Open Ended Questions
- Learning at Home: Self Help Activities for Preschool Activities
- Learning at Home: Science Activities for Preschoolers
- Learning at Home: Comparison and Counting for Preschoolers
PennAEYC Email Messages
- November 20, 2020 Update 11/20/2020
- September 2, 2020 Update 9/2/2020
- September 1, 2020 Update 9/1/2020
- August 18, 2020 Update 8/18/2020
- August 11, 2020 Update 8/11/2020
- July 21, 2020 Update 7/21/2020
- July 18, 2020 Update 7/18/2020
- July 17, 2020 Update 7/17/2020
- June 16, 2020 Update 6/16/2020
- May 28. 2020 Update 5/28/2020
- May 21, 2020 Update 5/21/2020
- May 16, 2020 Update 5/16/2020
- May 7, 2020 Update 5/7/2020 on COVID-19
- May 4, 2020 Update 5/4/2020 on COVID-19
- April 21, 2020 Update 4-21-2020 on COVID-19
- April 2, 2020 Update 4/2/2020 COVID-19
- March 27, 2020 Update 3/27/2020 COVID-19
- March 25. 2020 Update 3/25/2020 OCDEL Guidance on COVID-19
- March 22, 2020 Update 3/22/2020 OCDEL Guidance on COVID-19
- March 20, 2020 Update 3/20/2020 OCDEL Guidance on COVID-19
- March 17. 2020 Update 3/17/2020 OCDEL Guidance on COVID-19
- March 15, 2020 Update 3/15/2020 OCDEL Guidance on COVID-19
- March 13, 2020 OCDEL Guidance on COVID-19