PDE Tool Could Forecast Increased Needs for School-Age Child Care

The Pennsylvania Department of Education (PDE) partnered with the Department of Health (DOH) to develop information to help school districts navigate COVID-19 decision-making for the 2020-21 school year. The information could be helpful for early childhood education programs.

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Early childhood education programs, including child care, Head Start, and Pre-K Counts may find the Determining Instruction Models During the COVID-19 Pandemic tool useful for operational planning.

The tool identifies thresholds representing low, moderate, or substantial community transmission of COVID-19. The data within the tool is updated and will be reviewed weekly.  As conditions in each county and data change, school districts could choose to change instruction models to ensure the safety of students, teachers and staff. This information could be used to forecast potential increased needs for school-age child care.

The Pennsylvania Department of Education's Guidance and Resources for Pre-K to 12 Schools contains additional information related to the safe reopening/operation of schools for the 2020-21 school year. 

Additional guidance to assist school leaders when a case of COVID-19 is identified at a school is forthcoming.

For more information, visit the PDE website.