Request for Applications: PA Early Head Start Child Care Partnerships

The Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) is requesting applications for Early Head Start Child Care Partnerships (EHSCCP).

Partnerships are made possible by an EHSCCP grant, and forty partnership opportunities are available. Applications are due by March 20.

About EHSCCP and the EHSCCP Grant

Pennsylvania's EHSCCP grant enables partnerships between high-quality child care providers and OCDEL, which provide funded child care to infants and toddlers.

All providers who meet eligibility standards are encouraged to complete an application for consideration.

Eligibility

To apply for an EHSCCP opportunity, child care providers must:

  • have and maintain a STAR 3 or 4 rating

  • provide full day (10 hours or more) and full year care to infants and toddlers (ages 6 weeks – 3 years) of income-eligible, working or student families or caregivers

  • adhere to all Head Start Program Performance Standards and OCDEL Early Head Start (EHS) policies including:

    • meeting a staff to child ratio of 1:4

    • maintaining a maximum group size of eight children

    • providing two qualified, in-room staff members at all times

    • assigning children to primary care groups

  • retain or hire qualified staff to work in EHS classrooms

    • EHS classroom staff must have an Infant Toddler CDA and/or a degree in Early Childhood Education.

  • facilitate ongoing staff coaching with an OCDEL EHS coach

  • maintain full enrollment and fill vacant slots within 30 days

  • participate in Child Care Works (CCW)

  • continue to provide care to children who lose their CCW until they transition from the program

  • never unenroll children due to loss of subsidy

  • utilize GoEngage data system (previously known as MyHeadStart)

  • work collaboratively with the comprehensive service provider holding their contract, if applicable

  • waive any fees typically charged to enrolled families, except for subsidy co-pays

How to Apply

To apply, complete the application below:

EHSCCP Application

Applicants must submit their applications via email. Send completed applications to ehsteam@pakeys.org by Monday, March 20.

Learn More

The OCDEL EHS Team will host a Q&A via Zoom to address questions about the requirements of the grants and the application process, and to provide general information about EHSCCP on Thursday, March 2 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Pre-registration is not required.

To learn more, visit the Pennsylvania Key website.

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