Area Child Care Programs Invited to Share Efforts, Save Money

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Johnstown, PA (Oct. 23, 2018) –There is strength in numbers—and savings—when early learning providers share services, maximize resources and problem-solve together. As part of a Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL) Shared Services Pilot Project, The Learning Lamp will host the first in a series of workshops October 25, November 29 and December 3 to help child care providers in Cambria and Somerset counties learn about the Shared Services framework and how it can improve recruitment and retention of staff, provide administrative support, and reduce the cost of doing business.

The recently formed Early Care and Education Shared Services Alliance, which includes The Learning Lamp, Richland Academy, Little Red Schoolhouse, and Children’s Express Child Care in Cambria County and Trinity Lutheran Child Care Program, YWCA Kuddle Korner Day Care, and ABC Review Preschool in Somerset County, is one of only four projects funded statewide. The Tuscarora Intermediate Unit (TIU), on behalf of OCDEL, received funding from The Heinz Endowments to administer the grant.

“The national model of Shared Services gives smaller, standalone providers access to economies of scale and specialized expertise that are more typically only experienced by individual sites within a multi-site provider,” explained Amy Friedlander, project consultant with the TIU. “Shared Services is incentivized as a strategy for quality providers within the new Keystone STARS standards.”

Workshop topics and dates are as follows:

Shared Services Savings & Solutions

October 25, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

• Learn about Shared Services
• Navigate SharedSourcePA with a guided tour
• Hear from Rose Snyder of PennAEYC
• Earn PQAS hours

Earn a Free College Degree in Early Childhood Education

November 29, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m.

• Learn about TEACH(Teacher Education and Compensation Helps)
• Early Childhood® PENNSYLVANIA Scholarship Program (eligibility, tuition assistance amount and more)
• NEW Early Childhood Apprenticeship Program (get paid while earning college credits from on-the-job training

Work Smarter not Harder on Day-to-day Business

December 3, 6:00 – 8:00 p.m.

• Overview of SmartCare
• How an automated billing system can streamline child care payments
• Added benefits of real-time communication with parents

All workshops are held at The Learning Lamp, 2025 Bedford St., Johnstown, PA, and are free of charge. Those attending will also have the opportunity to join the newly formed Shared Services group, with details offered at the meetings. The workshops will offer valuable information as well as guidance on next steps to take advantage of existing and new resources. For more information or to register the workshops, call Stephanie at 814-262-0732 extension 248 or email her at swilt@thelearninglamp.org.

The Learning Lamp is a nonprofit organization with a mission to engage all children in the support they need to succeed. We deliver high quality programs that are affordable and accessible to families of all income levels. The Learning Lamp served 37,197 children and adults from 52 school districts and 71 non-public and private schools and other organizations in 19 Pennsylvania counties and communities in Maryland and West Virginia in 2017. 

Our programs include: one-to-one tutoring; before/after school programs; portable classrooms aimed at building math and science skills; alternative education programs for at-risk students; evidence-based prevention programs; online learning and credit recovery; SAT preparation; educationally-focused child care; literacy-based preschool programs; and grant writing and project consulting for schools.