Serving the following Pennsylvania counties: Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Franklin, Fulton, Huntingdon, Indiana, Juniata, Mifflin, and Somerset
Providers can learn about our Keystone STARS program here; you will also find useful resources.
Keystone STARS is Pennsylvania’s Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS). A QRIS is a continuous quality improvement systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early and school-age care and education programs. Keystone STARS is a program of Pennsylvania’s Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL).
STARS means improving quality through:
OCDEL’s Keystone STARS Program supports all early care and education programs to improve program quality by setting continuous quality improvement goals and meeting higher standards. In addition, the STARS program recognizes early learning programs for achieving higher STAR levels and provides families with a way to choose quality early care and education.
For more information about Keystone STARS please click here
Find what the childcare regulations are for centers, groups, and family homes in PA.
55 Pa. Code, Chapter 3270, Child Care Centers
This regulation provides the rules regarding the operation of a child day care center. A child care center is a facility in which seven or more children unrelated to the operator receive child care services. A child day care center must have a certificate of compliance (license) from DHS in order to operate.
55 Pa. Code, Chapter 3280, Group Child Care Homes
This regulation provides the rules regarding the operation of a group day care home. A group care home is a facility in which seven to 12 children unrelated to the operator receive child care services. A group day care home must have a certificate of compliance (license) from DHS in order to operate.
55 Pa. Code, Chapter 3290, Family Child Care Homes
This regulation provides the rules regarding the operation of a family care home. A family day care home is a facility in which four, five or six children unrelated to the operator receive childcare services. A family care home must be located in a home and must have a certificate of registration from DHS in order to operate.
Guide to information, activities and programs to help young children develop (includes the Early Learning GPS and Kindergarten readiness activities)
Providers in ELRC 6, should submit grant documents to elrc6grants@ccaofpa.org
Using the PD Registry, Early Learning and School-Age Professionals can:
Use this link to access archived e-news and updates on OCDEL programs and policies, trends, reports, and resources and to subscribe to the PA Early Ed News and DHS Certification e-mail lists.
The PA Keys Website is Pennsylvania’s early childhood source for professionals. You can check here for the latest news, events and links to additional initiatives and resources
Use this to access the Keystone STARS Provider self service website. If you need assistance, you can download the Provider Self Service Instructions
Keystone STARS Provider Self Service Video
Find information for the Early Learning Resource Centers across the state. Pennsylvania's Early Learning Resource Centers (ELRCs) provide a single point-of-contact for families, early learning service providers, and communities to gain information and access services that support high-quality child care and early learning programs. ELRCs consolidate the work of former Child Care Information Service Agencies (CCIS) and the former Regional Keys to create an enhanced resource and referral system for communities seeking early learning services and supports.
Quality Coaches are a valuable resource for programs in the Keystone STARS. A coach is available to help providers with resources and connections to services. They assist your program in conducting self assessments and creating goals and action items to improve quality. Quality Coaches also support programs in the evidence gathering process to move to the next STAR level.
