Early Learning Programs and Providers

ELRC Region 5 partners with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) to support a variety of early learning programs and educators in Allegheny County including:

  • Certified child care programs

  • Certified Family child care homes

  • Certified group child care programs

  • Relative providers

  • In-home relative providers

The ELRC Region 5 quality team, supported by Trying Together includes Early Learning Program Engagement Specialists, Keystone Stars Designators, Quality Coaches, a Leadership Development Strategist, and an Everyday Interactions Matter Design Strategist who interact with early learning programs and educators to determine and provide support. 

Early Learning Program Engagement Specialists (ELPES) serve as an early learning program’s hands on support to navigate the Certification process, assist with enrollment in Pennsylvania’s subsidized child care program Child Care Works (CCW) and the Child and Adult Care Food Program (CACFP), and provide ongoing support as needed. 

Keystone Stars Designators and Quality Coaches also serve as a point of contact for providers and perform a needs assessment to:

  • provide direct support to early learning programs to navigate the Keystone STARS Performance Standards; 

  • provide quality reviews for Keystone STARS maintenance and movement;

  • connect programs with resources to improve quality;

  • complete full needs assessments with the program and offer support where needed;

  • offer one-on-one coaching for early learning programs; and

  • support programs as they formulate and reach continuous quality improvement goals.  

Administrators, classroom teachers, assistant teachers, and home based child care providers also can work with the ELRC Region 5 Leadership Development Strategist and Everyday Interactions Design Strategist to develop new skills that support higher program quality. The Leadership Development Strategist works to help them continuously improve their leadership practices and the Everyday Interactions Design Strategist works with them to strengthen and improve their daily interactions with children. 

What is Quality Child Care?

Keystone STARS (Standards, Training/Professional Development, Assistance, Resources, and Supports) is Pennsylvania’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). A QRIS is a continuous quality improvement system approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early and school-age care and education programs. 

Keystone STARS Core Principles 

  • A whole child approach to education is essential to meeting the holistic and individual needs of each and every child and family.

  • Knowledgeable and responsive early care and education professionals are essential to the development of children and the support of families. 

  • Building and sustaining ongoing positive relationships among children, families, early care and educational professionals, and community stakeholders is essential for the growth and development of every child. 

Benefits of Keystone STARS 

Quality early childhood education benefits children, families, and providers, and it serves as an economic development strategy for Pennsylvania.

The benefits for providers who participate in Keystone STARS include:

  • Customized support and assistance to individual programs

  • Grants, awards, and other financial supports as available

  • The opportunity to apply for other grant programs, such as the Pennsylvania Child And Adult Care Food Program (CACFP)

  • Supportive professional development

  • Outreach and marketing to families

  • A roadmap for strengthening the quality of care and an opportunity for lifting up the child care profession and child care system

  • Increased Child Care Works (CCW) payments based on quality level.

The ELRC Region 5 offers provider support for continuous quality improvement through individualized coaching to obtain higher STAR levels. Quality coaches provide direct support and quality reviews to early learning programs as they navigate the Keystone STARS Performance Standards. 

For assistance, contact ELRC Region 5 at 412.350.3577. More information about joining Keystone STARS can be found on The Pennsylvania Key website.

Relative Care Providers

A relative (18 years or older providing child care in a separate residence) may care for children up to age 13 and participate in the subsidized child care program if they meet certain criteria to ensure child safety, such as obtaining background checks.

A Relative Child Care Provider is a person who provides legally unregulated care for three or fewer related children (grandparents are permitted to care for up to six grandchildren). The relative provider must be related to the child by marriage, court decree, or blood relationship, such as a grandparent, great-grandparent, aunt/uncle, or a sibling who doesn’t live in the same household.

Relative care providers are considered to be self-employed, they must complete an agreement with the ELRC Region 5, and they are required to follow all participation requirements. They also must obtain a background check, fingerprinting, NSOR clearances, and mandated reporter training to be able to participate in the subsidized child care program. 

The ELRC Region 5 launched a Facebook group where relative providers can get to know the ELPES, receive updates and resources, and interact with other child care providers.

Read more on qualifications for relative care providers on the ELRC Region 5 website. For more information about becoming a relative care provider, call the ELRC Region 5 at 412.350.3577 and ask to speak to an Early Learning Program Engagement Specialist.