Early Learning Programs
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
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.
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.
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 of Keystone STARS include:
Customized support and assistance to individual programs
Grants, awards, and other financial supports as available
Supportive professional development
Provide programs information to share with parents, guardian and 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.
