Family Daycare Providers In PA, Are You Here?

[Baan Dek Lek]

I live in Bucks county, PA and I have been dreaming about opening a family daycare next year. I would like to know/meet anyone who has a family daycare in this area or share their experiences with me. If you are willing to let me visit/observe/tour that would be great. Maybe I can even volunteer sometime. Since there are many standards in PA, such as Keystone Stars. That is why I make this post. Do you have CDA and participate Stars program? Hope to see you all here.

[Michael]

I'm going to see if I can round you up some.

Here are some members from PM. I will also email them to come to this thread.

bamzmama
ConcernedMother
daycarelady68
director1412
Ganginwood
gilfans
girdov12
herrschildcare
icaredaycare
jseg048
kelliemarie55
Kris5x2
leadhead15717
louie
magsgma
MEFC
melissa ann
My Angels
Parafly
PeaceAndSpirit
PghGurl
robinr
sanderson
starquest52
STARSHINE852
thatdivalady
tinytots19352

[magsgma]

I live in Bucks county, PA and I have been dreaming about opening a family daycare next year. I would like to know/meet anyone who has a family daycare in this area or share their experiences with me. If you are willing to let me visit/observe/tour that would be great. Maybe I can even volunteer sometime. Since there are many standards in PA, such as Keystone Stars. That is why I make this post. Do you have CDA and participate Stars program? Hope to see you all here.

Hi & Welcome!
I am from PA how can I help?
I earned my CDA when I worked for the Head Start program. I have been a Child Care Practioner (PA's title not mine) since 1993. I chose not to participate in STARS.

[director1412]

Hello. I am from Cumberland county and am the director of a child care center. We are enrolled in the Keystone STARS program so if you have questions I would love to help.

[daycarelady68]

I have a family day care in PA. I don't do the keystone stars program, it just seemed like too much added work to me. I've been open over 4 years, if you need any help let me know.

[magsgma]

You can set up your program and use the State regs as well as the “Standards” when setting up your Family Child Care you do not need to enroll in KS unless you want to get grants. Just keep in mind you will get nowhere near what a Center gets as far as grant money and from what I understand you will have to make the improvements first before you get the money.
You can get a copy of FCCERS (Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale) to help you with your set up.
I am always upgrading and changing things around here (drives my DH batty) we just had a 4 day weekend & spent it working on my outdoor play area…

[Unregistered]

Fd

Hello, I live in Erie, PA. I've volunteered in headstart programs, degree in education, was a preK teacher for 3 years @ our local YMCA. My family daycare is currently a 1 STAR working on a 2.I don't think it will go past a 2 because of all the paper work and requirements. STARS program asks for more done than the state itself..The grant money is good to start up each STAR however, not worth the more work to do.. I need a life outside daycare too. If you need help on any info feel free to email me @ ..... STARSHINE852@aol.com

[herrschildcare]

If you plan to have children with CCIS from the county you have to spend and make time to do the keystone it is required by law and you must do this if you are licensed with the state.

I have a family day care in PA. I don't do the keystone stars program, it just seemed like too much added work to me. I've been open over 4 years, if you need any help let me know.

[magsgma]

If you plan to have children with CCIS from the county you have to spend and make time to do the keystone it is required by law and you must do this if you are licensed with the state.

This is not true in my county -- so you will need to see what is true for your area. Although the opposite is true. You need to ACCEPT CCIS families in order to maintain your STAR status.
I have had and currently have CCIS children and I am strictly an INDEPENDENT Practioner. I am registered with OCDEL (DPW) but chose not to go with STARS.
STARS is voluntary and not "required by law".
Again it may be a stipulation by your county but it is NOT required (yet)

[STARSHINE852]

Starshine852

In Erie, PA there are family daycares w/CCIS They are not required to do the STARS. They do say in time it will be but for now its not a requirement..Must depend on the counties

[magsgma]

In Erie, PA there are family daycares w/CCIS They are not required to do the STARS. They do say in time it will be but for now its not a requirement..Must depend on the counties

Oh I can see it happening. The STARS program is having trouble right now showing that it is "working" There is a large percentage from my area that do NOT participate. They just sent around a survey to ask why. I bet that most of the providers didn't even bother to fill it out. By making it mandatory then they can get their "numbers" up and it will "look" better for them when doing the analysis when they want to justify the need for funding. This way they can say ***X number of children are benefiting by the program when in fact they are not. What we need in this state is more funding for parents for CCIS so they can go to work and not have to pay 25- 50% out in child care... AND the STATE (or TXX) need to pay the providers in a timely manner so more providers would be willing to take on subsidized clients.
I have never had an issue with subsidy - except during the budget impasse when I had to "carry" my CCIS family for 3 months without a pay. We finally got paid in October -- it was like a Christmas Club LOL!

Oh and BTW -- I "heard" that new regulations are coming out again -- I will venture a guess -- around July or so...

[Baan Dek Lek]

Thanks for all the responses

I guess I'm the youngest here, especially my daycare experience. I have been working in a daycare just for 2 years. I love the job but not the pay. So I believe that I can make more money with family daycare. I'm learning here. There is a lot of information here. Thanks everyone, thanks Daycare.com
By the way, what is CCIS?

[Unregistered]

I guess I'm the youngest here, especially my daycare experience. I have been working in a daycare just for 2 years. I love the job but not the pay. So I believe that I can make more money with family daycare. I'm learning here. There is a lot of information here. Thanks everyone, thanks Daycare.com
By the way, what is CCIS?

CCIS is Child Care Information Services - it is the agency that handles families that receive child care subsidy and is also a resource and referral agency for families looking for child care. They can not "refer" a particular child care center or home but they will provide a family with a list and guide.

[magsgma]

I guess I'm the youngest here, especially my daycare experience. I have been working in a daycare just for 2 years. I love the job but not the pay. So I believe that I can make more money with family daycare. I'm learning here. There is a lot of information here. Thanks everyone, thanks Daycare.com
By the way, what is CCIS?

[I already responded but didn't realize that I wasn't signed in]

CCIS Stands for Child Care Information Services. It is the agency that handles subsidized families.
They also give out lists of centers and child care homes to parents looking for Child care. They do not recommend one over another just give lists and guide. Whether or not you take subsidy clients - I believe your name will be on the list if you are registered the state .

[thatdivalady]

Hi there, I'm in Allegheny County and started my family daycare not too long ago. Feel free to PM me with any suggestions! I'm also available to answer any questions I can answer : )