ELRC 18 Philadelphia County
Keystone STARS • Professional Development • Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health • Child Care Works • Certification • Early Intervention
The ELRC Region 18 is your one-stop shop for early learning resources for providers in Philadelphia County. Click the links below for more information about each resource.
Keystone STARS
Keystone STARS is an initiative of the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) to improve, support and recognize the continuous quality improvement efforts of early learning programs in the state. The program is proven to increase the quality of child care programs in Pennsylvania and provides parents with a tool to gauge the quality of care and early education their child will receive. The Keystone STARS Performance Standards provide the foundation for the program. The Performance Standards are grouped into four levels: STAR 1, STAR 2, STAR 3, and STAR 4. CLICK HERE to learn more about Keystone STARS.
Professional Development
The PHMC Professional Development Organization coordinates all professional development (PD) and technical Assistance (TA) supports for early care and education providers including STARS TA, Early Childhood Mental Health, Infant/Toddler TA, Child Care Health Consultation and needs-based PD. CLICK HERE to learn more about professional development opportunities.
Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation
The PA Key has streamlined the process for Keystone STARS programs to request Infant/Early Childhood Mental Health Consultation (IECMHC) beginning July 1, 2019. Programs and parents can contact the program leadership directly at
Child Care Works
Child Care Works, Pennsylvania’s Subsidized Child Care Program, makes it possible for low-income families to find reliable, quality child care near their home or work and provides financial assistance to help them afford it. Through the Child Care Works partnership, eligible families make a co-payment to the child care program in addition to the state subsidy that Child Care Works provides. By accepting children receiving Child Care Works subsidy, child care programs can provide quality early learning services to at-risk children in their communities.
Child care programs that enroll children receiving Child Care Works subsidy may be eligible for Keystone STARS subsidy add-on and additional Keystone STARS grants and awards. CLICK HERE for more information about the PA Child Care Works Subsidized Child Care Program.
Certification
The Bureau of Certification Services is responsible for the regulation of all child care centers, group day care homes and family day care homes in Pennsylvania.
The Certification Bureau receives and responds to inquiries regarding a variety of topics, including:
• The requirements and process for opening a child care facility.
• The statutes and regulations for operating a child care facility.
• The status and compliance history of specific facilities.
• The complaints regarding child care facilities.
CLICK HERE to learn more about Certification and types of child care care. If you are looking at how to apply, please visit the Certification First Steps page on the PA Keys website.
Visit the PA Department of Human Services website for links to child care regulations, forms, contact information, orientation schedules and other important information.
Sign up for the Certification E-News to stay up to date on regulations changes and tips to meet child care regulations.
Early Intervention Services
While all children grow and develop in unique ways, some children experience delays in their development. Children with developmental delays and disabilities benefit from The Pennsylvania Early Intervention program, a state supported network of parents, service practitioners, and others which builds upon the natural learning opportunities that occur within the daily routines of a child and their family. Early Intervention provides support and services to families with children birth to age five, who have developmental delays and disabilities and the early learning programs and schools who serve them. CLICK HERE to learn more about PA Early Intervention Resources.
Parents who have questions about their child's development may contact the CONNECT Helpline at 1-800-692-7288. The CONNECT Helpline assists families in locating resources and providing information regarding child development for children ages birth to age 5. In addition, CONNECT can assist parents by making a direct link to their county early intervention program or local preschool early intervention program. To make a referral for early intervention, please call the CONNECT Helpline at 1-800-692-7288
CLICK HERE for more information on early intervention services for Chester County infants and toddlers.
CLICK HERE for more information on early intervention services for Chester County preschoolers.