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.
NAEYC COVID-19 Advocacy and Resources for Early Care and Education Providers
NAEYC State Survey Data with Quotes: Child Care at a Time of Progress and Peril September 2021
NAEYC State Survey Data: Child Care at a Time of Progress and Peril August 2021 – highlights the depth of the challenges, how relief is helping, and what more is needed for the child care sector
NAEYC Survey Data July 2021: Progress and Peril: Child Care at a Crossroads – highlights child care’s continued struggle to survive
NAEYC Statement – Child Care is Essential and Needs Emergency Support to Survive (March 15, 2020)
NAEYC Child Care is Essential and Needs Emergency Support to Survive page – highlights resources, actions and advocacy opportunities in response to the coronavirus pandemic
NAEYC Coping with COVID-19 – online COVID-19 resources from NAEYC and a few national health and educational organizations
NAEYC Pandemic Surveys – findings from NAEYC surveys of child care providers, including PA providers
Federal and State COVID-19 Relief Funding for Early Learning Programs
CARES Act
The federal CARES Act (Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act) was a $2.2 trillion economic stimulus that included $3.9 billion for the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Program and $750 million for Head Start – March 27, 2020
From the $3.9 billion in CCDBG, $106 million in CCDBG came to PA for child care:
- DHS OCDEL allocated $51 million for eligible, certified child care providers – May 21, 2020
- DHS OCDEL allocated $53 million for eligible, certified child care providers – July 6, 2020
From the discretionary CARES Act funds, $125 million was allocated by the General Assembly and Governor for early learning and pre-k – May 28, 2020:
- $116 million for child care;
- $7 million for Pre-K Counts; and
- $2 million for Head Start Supplemental Assistance Program
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act
The Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 included $303 million in support for child care – December 27, 2020:
- $140.7 million to support child care providers
- $64.6 million to help child care providers continue to account for increased costs in order to operate safely
- $87.17 million to support increased, regionalized base payment rates for child care providers participating in subsidized child care.
- $3 million to expand the number of child care professionals who can receive pandemic relief awards to an additional 5,000 people
The American Rescue Plan
The American Rescue Plan includes approximately $1.18 billion for PA in support for child care:
- $455 million in expanded child care assistance
- $728 million in child care stabilization funds
Current Advocacy Opportunities – Get current advocacy efforts details by joining both the Pre-K for PA, Start Strong PA and Childhood Begins at Home issue campaigns. We urge you to take action today to help #SolveChildCare by clicking this link.
American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stabilization Grants
OCDEL is making American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) Stabilization Grants available to eligible child care providers. These grants and the required reporting will be completed in the Professional Development (PD) Registry. Directors, owners, administrators and/or designated fiscal staff members can access the application for their program under the Keystone STARS/Grants tab in their organization’s profile.
Additional information, including instructions, Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) documents and previous announcements can be found here. Eligible providers are encouraged to review these materials thoroughly BEFORE submitting an application. In addition, your ELRC is prepared to help you think about the best use of the funds in your program.
Applications are open, apply now. Application is available until Jan. 31, 2022. Grants are based on the availability of funds.
Vaccine Information
Vaccines are safe and effective and the best way to protect you and those around you from serious illnesses.
All Pennsylvanians age 5 and older are eligible to receive a COVID-19 vaccine. As of November 2, with parental consent, children ages 5 through 11 may now receive the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine. Learn more about the pediatric vaccine.
All adults in Pennsylvania are now eligible to schedule a COVID-19 vaccine booster. Based on CDC recommendation, everyone 18 and older can schedule a booster dose six months after receiving their second dose of Pfizer or Moderna or two months after receiving the Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
- PA DOH Vaccine Frequently Asked Questions
- PA DOH Vaccine Provider Map (non-Philadelphia)
- Philadelphia COVID-19 Information
- How to Prepare for Your Vaccine
Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Announcements and Information
- Announcement C-21-10 Obsolete Certification Announcements for Certified Child Care Providers- Order of the Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Directing Face Coverings in School Entities
- CDC COVID-19 Guidance for Operating Early Care and Education/Child Care Programs
- Updated Quarantine Recommendations for Persons Exposed to COVID-19
- Protocols for reopening of certified child care facilities temporarily or permanently closed due to COVID-19
- Licensed Facility COVID Data Collection User Guide and FAQs
- CDC Guidance for open child care sites
- PA Key Coronavirus Resources
- Guidance for Child Care Providers Caring for Children of Essential Personnel During COVID-19
- USDA COVID-19 Child Nutrition Waiver Chart for Child Nutrition Programs
Additional Announcements, FAQs and Waiver details
- Announcement ELRC 21 #10, Non-Traditional Care Add-on Rates
- Announcement 21 #09 Child Care Works (CCW) Payment During the Ongoing Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- Announcement 21 #07 Change in Policy Regarding Eligibility for Owners/Operators of a Child Care Facility
- ELRC Policy Announcement 21 #08 Keystone STARS Designation Extensions
- Announcement ELRC 21-#02 Increase to Child Care Works Base Payment Rates
- Announcement 21 #05, Keystone STARS During the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- 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-20-11 Non-Licensed Part-Day School Age Child Care Program or Learning Pod Notification of Operation
- Announcement ELRC 20 #16 Internal Assessment Process (IAP) Guide
- 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 #12, 2020 Keystone STARS Performance Standards and Program Manual
- Announcement ELRC – 20 #11, Restoring Child Care Works Payment Practices Based on Attendance and Invoicing for All Children
- Announcement C-2-08 COVID-19 Operations for Licensed Child Care
- July 7, 2020: Announcement C-20-07, REVISED Fire Safety Training for Child Care Centers may be obtained online during the COVID-19 Pandemic
- 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)
- 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.
Expired Policies
A list of the regulations suspended in whole or in part and their current status is available on the Department of Human Services (DHS) website here. Some other regulations have been reinstated and those available on the DHS website.
- Suspended Regulations Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic – A list of the regulations suspended in whole or in part and their current status is available on the Department of Human Services (DHS) website here. Some other regulations have been reinstated and those available on the DHS website.
- Announcement C-21-08: Compliance with Acting Secretary of Health’s Face Covering Order sunset 12/10/2021
- Announcement C-21-07: COVID-19 Policy Updates and Order of the Acting Secretary of the Pennsylvania Department of Health Directing Face Coverings in School Entities sunset 12/10/2021
- Announcement C-20-04: Suspension of Regulatory Requirements for Certified Child Care Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic – Sunset 9/30/2021
- Announcement C-20-13, Reopening of Certified Child Care Facilities Temporarily or Permanently Closed Due to COVID-19 – Sunset 9/30/2021
- Announcement C-20-12, September OCDEL Provider Survey and COVID Alert PA App
- Announcement C-21-06 Ending of Child Care Certification Regulations Suspensions Under the State Disaster Emergency Declaration Sunset 9/30/2021
- ELRC Policy Announcement 21 #06 Restoring Child Care Works Invoicing, Attendance and Payment Policies Sunset 9/30/2021
- Announcement ELRC 21 #04, Child Care Works Payment During the Novel Coronavirus Sunset 9/30/2021
- Announcement 20 #18 – Keystone STARS Designation Maintenance for Facilities Temporarily Closed Due to COVID-19 Sunset 9/30/2021
- Announcement 20 #17 Child Care Works Payment During the Proclamation of Disaster Emergency Sunset 9/30/2021
- Announcement C-20-04 Revised Suspension of Regulatory Requirements for Certified Child Care Facilities During the COVID-19 Pandemic Sunset 9/30/2021
- Announcement 20 #15, Changes to Policy Regarding Parents/Caretakers Caring for Their Own Children in a Child Care Setting During the COVID-19 Pandemic sunset 9/30/2021
- 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 #13 Updates to the Child Care Works School-Age Blended Rate Payment Policy for the 2020-21 School Year – Sunset 7/1/2021
- Announcement C-20-12, Interim Guidance for Certified Child Care Facilities Operating During the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic – Sunset 6/28/2021
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Announcement ELRC-20#5 Revised Child Care Works Payment Modifications Due to Impacts related to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) – Sunset 4/30/20
- ELRC Policy Communication 20 #05 Using ERA Funds to Pay for Dual Enrollments During COVID-19 – Obsolete 9/1/20
- Announcement: C-20-06 REVISED, Interim Guidance for Certified Child Care Facilities operating during the Novel Coronavirus Pandemic – Sunset 9/29/20
- Announcement ELRC 20 #04 Child Care Works Payment Modifications Due to Impacts Related to Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) (replaced Announcement ELRC 20 #03) – Sunset 04/30/20
- Announcement ELRC 20-#03 Child Care Works Payments During the Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) Outbreak – Obsolete 3/23/20
- ANNOUNCEMENT: C-20 #03 (Revised) Closure of early learning programs due to Coronavirus (COVID-19)
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.
- Responding to COVID-19 in Pennsylvania
- Pennsylvania Department of Health COVID-19 in PA
- Pennsylvania Department of Human Services Resources for Providers
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- PA Department of Human Services – DHS – Guilde: PA’s Response to COVID-19
- PA Department of Labor and Industry – Information for PA employees impacted by COVID-19
- Unemployment Compensation – Apply Online
- PA Department of Community and Economic Development – COVID-19 Resources for Businesses, Communities, and Local Governments
- 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 on hand sanitizers consumers should not use
- City of Philadelphia resources
- City of Pittsburgh resources
- Pennsylvania Key
- 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
- Parenting Counts activities
- GUMDROP: Babies Learn Sounds and Words from You
- Learning from Home with PA Public Television
- Fred Rogers’s Daniel Tiger’s Neighborhood
- Britannica for Parents
- National Geographic Kids
- Stories from Space (stories read by astronauts in space)
- 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
- 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
- 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
- Zero to Three
- Nature Activities for Families
- Natural Start Alliance
- HiMama Free Activities
- Mommy Poppins
- Family Guide
- My Peers (Through Administration on Children and Families)
- Teaching 2/3 Year olds
- Family Education including homemade paydough recipes and rainy day activities for kids
- 52 Weeks of Creative Ideas – Parent Handout
- 10 Things You Can Do When You’re Stressed
- 50 Things You Can Control Right Now
- Language Development: Discovering Your Superpowers
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