Quality OST programs inspire learning and positive youth development by providing opportunities for autonomy and leadership, caring relationships, connections to family, community and school, safe environments and engaging activities. PSAYDN’s Statement of Quality provides a defining overview of quality for anyone with a vested interest in identifying and working with quality programs. Below are other thoughts to consider when finding a program:
In Pennsylvania, there are regulated and non-regulated programs. Regulated must meet certain requirements:
Regulated programs are also inspected every year. Non-regulated programs are more informal and are not required to meet the guidelines listed above.
Keystone STARS provides families with a tool to find and gauge the quality of regulated early learning programs. Programs participating in Keystone STARS care about providing quality early learning to your child. The COMPASS Online Child Care Provider Search lets you search for providers near you, displays STARS ratings, and other information about a provider.
PSAYDN developed the state’s only online, searchable database for out-of-school time programs. This database helps parents find programs for their youth and communities produce local reports to identify assets and gaps.