Curriculum Fund (Philadelphia Early Learning Instructional Excellence Initiative)
The Curriculum Fund is a grantmaking program that increases the use and high-fidelity implementation of research-supported early learning curricula. The program provides funding for early childhood centers to purchase and implement curriculum materials and related professional development in order to improve their quality of instruction.
The program strives to be inclusive of providers in center-based care, residential and commercial group child care, and family child care. The support offered by the Curriculum Fund builds best practice in curricula selection and quality classroom application.
- Distributes funding for curricula and assessment tools approved by the Department of Human Services’ Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL)
- Pairs early learning programs with funding and facilitated peer learning tools
- Determines the specialized supports each provider needs for the successful implementation of their curriculum, including facilitating meetings, individualized technical assistance and classroom observations
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Eligibility Criteria
The Curriculum Fund is open to any licensed early learning provider in Philadelphia that meets the following requirements:
- Currently serving at least 50% low-income (subsidy, waitlist subsidy, Head Start, Pre-K Counts or PHL PreK) or other vulnerable populations (children with identified special needs, IEPs/IFSPs)
- Able to demonstrate a commitment to serving low-income and vulnerable families
In addition to the base requirements, Keystone STAR 3 and 4 child care providers (either non-profit or for-profit) must be in good standing with DHS Certification and free of city, state and federal liabilities.
In addition to the base requirements and STAR 3 & 4 requirements, Keystone STAR 2 providers must be:
- Currently receiving Technical Assistance through a quality initiative such as the Early Learning Resource Center or EQUIP, with documented goals to move to a STAR 3
- Located in a high need area as defined by the Childcare Map to have a shortage of high-quality services and a high poverty population
Referral Process
Providers apply via RFP. Once active, the RFP will be posted on this web page and distributed via the Curriculum Fund listserv and community partners.
Email: curriculumfund@phmc.org
