Guidelines and Standards

The following are guidelines and standards for the implementation of best practices in early childhood classrooms to meet the developmental needs of young students.

Early Learning Guidelines

• Early Learning Guidelines for Classrooms Serving Three- and Four- Year Old Children (2018)
• Early Learning Guidelines Assurances Form
• Accreditation Standard 17.2 Checklist Pre-K 

Early Learning Standards

• Early Learning Standards for Classrooms Serving Infants through Four-Year-Old Children (2018)

Definitions

• High-Quality Early Childhood Program Definition
• School Readiness Definition

Teaching Supports

• Becoming a National Board Certified Teacher

Teacher Requirements

• NEW! Teacher and Assistant Teacher Credential Pathways
• Higher Education Approved Early Childhood Courses

Teaching Profession Standards

• NAEYC Professional Preparation Standards
• National Board for Professional Teaching Standards

ESSA Guidance 

• Early Childhood Coordination Requirements in the Every Student Succeeds Act: A Toolkit for State and Local Educational Agencies, Head Start Programs, and the Early Childhood Field