Base Rate Increases Determined by Market Rate Survey

All early care and education providers are asked to complete the new Market Rate Survey and update or confirm their “private pay rates” by December 30, 2019. By accurately recording the full cost of operating, Pennsylvania child care programs may receive future Child Care Works base rate increases.

Learn More

Every two years, The Office of Child Development and Early learning (OCDEL) asks early care and education providers to submit updates on their costs or confirm there has not been any change. These updates and confirmations are necessary as OCDEL uses this information to consider future Child Care Works base rate increases. When all providers participate, this accurate accounting of data may mean more money for resources and staff in the form of future increased base rates.

To participate, programs must adjust or confirm their costs between October 7 - December 30, 2019.

Participate

Providers are encouraged to update or confirm their “private pay rates” via the Provider Self Service (PSS) system, but may also report these to their Early Learning Resource Center.

When determining “private pay rates”, it is important providers think about costs like:

• teacher salaries;

• materials;

• equipment;

• professional development; and

• other quality improvement activities.

For help with determining a program’s “private pay rate:, visit the Administration for Children and Families “Cost of Quality Calculator” online.

In addition, program administrators should encourage staff to update their profile information online on the Pennsylvania PD Registry.

PSS

Programs wishing to view when their rates were last updated via the PSS system should:

1. sign into PSS;

2. select “Provider Profile” title;

3. select “Rates” page; and

4. view “Current Effective Date”.

If providers do not currently participate in PSS, instructions may be viewed in this document (PDF).

For questions about PSS registration, contact PELICAN Provider Help Desk at:

1.877.491.3818
ra-eln@pa.gov

Hours of operation for the PELICAN Provider Help Desk are Monday - Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Questions

Allegheny County providers who have additional questions may contact their Quality Coach or ELRC Region 5 at:

• 412.350.3577

• 1.888.340.3572