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Early Education

There are many child care and development programs in California. These programs are for children from birth to age twelve. They offer early learning and after-school services to babies, toddlers, children in preschool, and children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Some programs assist children with disabilities and children of migrant farm workers. Many of the programs were set up to help parents with child care while they work.

Child care and development programs can provide care, education, and food for children. They are paid for with state and federal tax money, and in some cases, parent fees.

The California Department of Education helps manage several child care and development programs in California.

Program Overview
Descriptions of and budget information about child development programs administered by the Department.
Contractor Information
Resources and important information for early education contractors, including Desired Results, management bulletins, forms, fiscal services, child development permits, and data reporting.
Laws, Regulations, & Requirements
Legal and regulatory requirements contained in Education Code, California Code of Regulations, Funding Terms & Conditions, Compliance Review Instrument, California School Accounting Manual, and Audit Guide.
Quality Rating and Improvement System
A Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) is a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early and school-age care and education programs.
Resources
Resources for child development contractors, families and the child care community.
Interest Holder Groups
Leadership bodies that ensure statewide collaboration among early childhood programs that will help to define future policy for children birth to kindergarten.
Trending in Early Education
Recently Posted in Early Education
  • Data Reporting - Child Gender (added 07-Aug-2025)
    The Child Gender information field indicates whether the child receiving subsidized child care services through an agency’s contract with the Early Education Division (EED) is female, male, and non-binary.
  • Is this Provider License-Exempt? (added 06-Aug-2025)
    The ‘Is this Provider License-Exempt?’ field indicates whether the provider is license-exempt or if they hold an active license number.
  • Head-of-Household Zip Code (added 06-Aug-2025)
    The HoH Zip Code information field indicates the zip code of the residence of the HoH for the family receiving subsidized childcare services through an agency’s contract with the EED.
  • Child’s Eligibility (added 05-Aug-2025)
    801A data field “Child’s Eligibility” indicates the criteria in which a child is eligible for California State Preschool Program (CSPP) services, as specified in California Education Code (EC) Section 8208(d)(4).
  • Is Child Receiving Extended Learning and Care? (added 05-Aug-2025)
    The “Is Child Receiving Extended Learning and Care?” field applies to children in Transitional Kindergarten (TK) or Kindergarten (K) who also attend part-day California State Preschool Program (CSPP) during non-instructional hours.

  • Is Child Enrolled in a CDSS Program? (added 05-Aug-2025)
    The “Is Child Enrolled in a California Department of Social Services (CDSS) Program?” field shows if a child is also in a CDSS program while enrolled in California State Preschool Program (CSPP) with the California Department of Education (CDE).
  • Is Child Enrolled in a Head Start Program? (added 05-Aug-2025)
    The ‘Is Child Enrolled in a Head Start Program?’ field indicates whether the child is also enrolled in a Head Start program, in addition to being enrolled in California State Preschool Program (CSPP) with the California Department of Education (CDE).
  • Provider Address 1 (added 05-Aug-2025)
    New 801A data field “Provider Address 1” indicates the address where the provider offers California State Preschool Program (CSPP) services.
  • Provider Address 2 (added 05-Aug-2025)
    801A data field “Provider Address 2” indicates the secondary components of the address where the provider offers California State Preschool Program (CSPP) services.
  • Provider City (added 05-Aug-2025)
    801A data field “Provider City” indicates the formal name of the city or town where provider offers California State Preschool Program (CSPP) services.