OCDEL Announces Updates on Child Care Recruitment and Retention Program

Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has announced details on the 2025-26 Child Care Staff Recruitment and Retention Program that cover everything from eligibility and staff retention bonuses to information on how to apply.

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The recruitment program is a funding opportunity for certified child care programs that maintains a Child Care Works (CCW) Certified Provider Agreement. The intent of the program is to support existing child care staff and recruitment within the field.

The 2025-26 enacted state budget includes $25 million for retention and recruitment funding to qualified DHS-certified providers. Qualified staff are eligible for a retention bonus. To the extent that funding is available, qualified child care providers may receive funds to provide new qualified hires with a recruitment bonus.

To prepare qualified providers for the release of the recruitment and retention program application period, OCDEL’s announcement includes details on the following:

• Provider eligibility 

• Staff retention bonuses

• Staff recruitment bonuses

• Application

• Funding and spending requirements

• Final expenditure report

• Monitoring information

• Timeline

• Next steps

Qualified providers must submit a completed application to their regional Early Learning Resource Center (ELRC) by Thursday, January 29.

For more information, read OCDEL’s announcement.