OCDEL Issues Update On School-Age Child Care

As Pennsylvania public schools and private schools are finalizing and announcing full remote instruction or hybrid instruction model plans for the 2020-21 academic school year, the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is offering brief guidance for parents who need expanded child care.

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OCDEL released the following Frequently Asked Questions:

1.      Can school age children enroll in child care if their schools have announced moving to part-time or full-time remote instruction?

Yes, during the 2020-21 school year, children whose schools have announced various schedule changes to prevent the spread of COVID-19 can enroll in child care. If the district has announced that children will not attend school for face to face instruction, then working families can enroll children in child care during those days.

2.      Will OCDEL revise the school-age blended rate for children attending child care during the portion of the day, that has typically been considered “school hours”?

OCDEL and the Department of Human Services intend to support children’s enrollment to the greatest extent possible. We are working to issue a policy announcement clarifying the response to this question further. Currently Pennsylvania and many other states are waiting for clarification from the federal Office of Child Care. The Office of Child Care anticipates providing guidance to states next week.

3.      Will non-licensed programs be able to serve school age children? 

Yes. Enrollment in a licensed child care facility is preferred, however, part-day school-age programs will be able to enroll school-age children during the 2020-21 school year. Enrolled children must be kindergarten age or older. 

Over the next few weeks, OCDEL will continue to share information and responses to questions. More information will be on the ELRC Region 5 website as it becomes available. Providers also can join the ELRC Region 5’s weekly Virtual Director Roundtable events on Tuesdays at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. for updates.