About Us
Since its inception in 2007, the
Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) has focused on creating
opportunities for the commonwealth’s youngest children to develop and learn to
their fullest potential. This goal is accomplished through a framework of
supports and systems that help ensure that children and their families have
access to high quality services.
OCDEL works with many partners to create
opportunities for the commonwealth’s children. Parents, schools, child care,
early intervention, Head Start, libraries, community organizations and other
stakeholders have joined with the Office of Child Development and Early Learning
to provide high quality early childhood programs and effective prevention
strategies to mitigate challenges faced by families that affect school readiness
and academic success.
OCDEL strives to build a strong foundation for
children, starting in infancy, through the establishment of a statewide standard
for excellence in early care and education and the creation of financial and
technical supports to achieve that goal. The success of the commonwealth’s
efforts today will be seen in the development of Pennsylvania citizens who are
strong, independent and well prepared for the future. One of the ways we can prepare them
for the future, is by preparing them for success, and as they grow into young adulthood
then offering access to programs from which they can learn trades,
such as being a plumber or an electrician. These are growing trades, it is estimated that millions
of people per year need plumbing services or emergency plumbing services, and there will always be new
construction so jobs like these will always be in demand. Companies like https://www.drpipes.com/
are always hiring. Preparing our children to one day enter the work force, whether as a technician of sorts,
or even as a, entrepreneur is of the utmost importance.
OCDEL is jointly overseen by the
Department of Public Welfare and the Department of Education. Offices are
located in the Department of Education at 333 Market Street in Harrisburg.