Early Education Division Resources
- The Alignment of the California Preschool Learning Foundations with Key Early Education Resources, Second Edition
- Creating Equitable Early Learning Environments for Young Boys of Color: Disrupting Disproportionate Outcomes - NEW
- Best Practices for Planning Curriculum for Young Children
- Early Childhood Education (ECE) Competencies
- California Early Learning Career Lattice
- Guidelines for Early Learning in Child Care Home Settings
- Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Foundations
- Infant/Toddler Curriculum Framework
- Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Program Guidelines
- Care About Quality: Your Guide to Child Care
- Preschool Learning Foundations
- Preschool Curriculum Frameworks
- Preschool Program Guidelines
- Preschool English Learners
- California Comprehensive Early Learning Plan
- First Class – A Guide for Early Primary Education
- Inclusion Works! Second Edition
- Responsive Early Education for Young Children and Families Experiencing Homelessness
Early Education Resources
- The Alignment of the California Preschool Learning Foundations with Key Early Education Resources: the California Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Foundations, the California Content Standards, and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework: Ages Birth to Five, Second Edition.
This publication presents the developmental continuum of learning for children from birth through kindergarten. It shows the connections that the nine domains of the preschool learning foundations have with the content of other important resources, including areas of the California Infant/Toddler Learning & Development Foundations, recently updated California Content Standards, and the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework
. The publication can be purchased by visiting the California Department of Education (CDE) CDE Press Online Ordering webpage
, or by calling the toll-free number at 1-800-995-4099. The price of the publication is $30.00. You can also now download the publication for free here: The Alignment of the California Preschool Learning Foundations with Key Early Education Resources, Second Edition (PDF). - Creating Equitable Early Learning Environments for Young Boys of Color: Disrupting Disproportionate Outcomes
- NEW
- Creating Equitable Early Learning Environments for Young Boys of Color: Disrupting Disproportionate Outcomes (PDF)
This groundbreaking book provides an honest and comprehensive look at the inequitable experiences our youngest Boys of Color have in early learning programs including disproportionate rates of exclusionary discipline (e.g., pushouts, suspensions, and expulsions). This book highlights the critical need to disrupt these patterns and create strength-based and equity-oriented early childhood environments that support Boys of Color to thrive. - Boys of Color Hyperlinks
- Creating Equitable Early Learning Environments for Young Boys of Color: Disrupting Disproportionate Outcomes (PDF)
- Best Practices for Planning Curriculum for Young Children
- Family Partnerships and Culture (PDF)
This publication promotes understanding of children’s cultural or multicultural experiences at home, and helps teachers use those experiences as building blocks for teaching and learning in early education settings. - The Integrated Nature of Learning (PDF)
This publication examines how play, learning, and curriculum work together in early education, and describes the relationship context for early learning and the role of the teacher in supporting children’s active engagement in learning. - Responsive Early Education for Young Children and Families Experiencing Homelessness (PDF; 22MB)
Essential factual information and resources about the extent of early childhood homelessness, in addition to concrete research-based strategies teachers can implement that benefit all of the children in their care, and are essential for young children and their families impacted by homelessness. - The Powerful Role of Play in Early Education (PDF)
This publication discusses the critical role of play for children, particularly in early childhood. Play is an important context in which children learn, experiment with new ideas, and make sense of the world around them. - California Early Childhood Curriculum Review Guide (PDF)
A tool designed to support early childhood professionals and programs in: Reviewing a curriculum or curriculum approach, analyzing and reflecting on the strengths and limitations of a curriculum or curriculum approach, and identifying and planning next steps based on the curriculum review.
- Family Partnerships and Culture (PDF)
- California Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Competencies
- California Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Competencies
The California Early Childhood Educator Competencies describe the knowledge, skills and dispositions that early childhood educators need in order to provide high quality care and education to young children and their families. The ECE Competencies are aligned with the California Preschool Learning Foundations and the California Infant/Toddler Learning & Development Foundations to guide professional development and related quality improvement activities. - The Early Childhood Educator Competencies Self-Assessment Toolkit (ECE CompSAT) [Link no longer available] is an additional professional development resource for the early childhood education field to use for self-reflection about their knowledge, skills, and dispositions and to assist with the development of professional growth plans by identifying the competencies needed for effective, high-quality early education practice.
- California Early Childhood Educator (ECE) Competencies
- Guidelines for Early Learning in Child Care Home Settings (PDF)
Recognizing the importance of home-based child care settings in today's society, this adaptation of the Prekindergarten Learning and Development Guidelines provides guidance to help home-based child care providers offer high-quality early care and learning experiences to the children and families they serve. The book covers topics such as the roles and relationships involved in home-based child care; how to create safe, inclusive environments that foster early learning and development; ideas for implementing appropriate curriculum; professional development for home-based providers; and things to consider when infants and toddlers receive care in mixed-age group settings.
- Guía deaprendizaje para el cuidado del niño en el hogar (PDF; Posted 9-Jan-2018) is the Spanish translation of this document
- Guía deaprendizaje para el cuidado del niño en el hogar (PDF; Posted 9-Jan-2018) is the Spanish translation of this document
Infant/Toddler Resources
- California Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Foundations
The California Infant/Toddler Learning & Development Foundations are at the center of California's infant/toddler learning and development system. The foundations describe how children develop and what they learn, and are designed to illuminate the competencies that infants and toddlers need for later success.- The Spanish translation of this document, Fundamentos del aprendizaje y el desarrollo infantil de California (ISBN 978-0-8011-1709-1) (PDF), was published in 2010.
- A companion set of DVDs for the California Infant/Toddler Learning & Development Foundations depicts children's behavior for each of the 28 foundations at each of the three ages described in the foundations. There is an introductory overview of the foundations, a segment on "The Early Months," and extended segments provided with and without narration. The set is designed to support training on the foundations. This DVD set can be ordered from California Department of Education (CDE) Press by calling the toll-free number at 1-800-995-4099. The price of the set of DVDs is $32.95.
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California Infant/Toddler Curriculum Framework
The California Infant/Toddler Curriculum Framework (ISBN 978-0-8011-1723-7) supports early childhood educators working in programs serving children birth to three years of age in implementing high-quality curriculum practices that lead to acquisition of the knowledge and skills described in the Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Foundations. The publication can be purchased from CDE Press by calling the toll-free number at 1-800-995-4099. The price of the publication is $20.85. -
The Spanish translation of this document, Marco Conceptual del Curriculo Infantil de California (PDF, 4 MB), can also be ordered by contacting CDE Press at 1-800-995-4099.
- Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Program Guidelines, Second Edition (PDF; 21MB)
This publication presents information about how to provide high-quality early and care, including recommendations for program policies and day-to-day practices that will improve program services to all infants and toddlers. The Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Program Guidelines, Second Edition (ISBN 978-0-8011-1798-5) can be purchased from CDE Press by calling the toll-free number at 1-800-995-4099. The price of the publication is $29.95. - The Spanish translation of the first edition, Guias para programas de aprendizaje y desarrollo infantil (PDF; 6MB), was published in 2010. The price of the publication is $21.95.
- A companion set of DVDs for the Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Program Guidelines, first edition released in 2009, includes conversations with experts; rich discussions with infant care teachers, program leaders, family child care providers, and family members about the guidelines activities; and video clip illustrations of practice. This DVD set can be ordered from CDE Press by calling the toll-free number at 1-800-995-4099. The price of the set of DVDs is $32.95.
- A companion set of DVDs for the Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Program Guidelines, first edition released in 2009, includes conversations with experts; rich discussions with infant care teachers, program leaders, family child care providers, and family members about the guidelines activities; and video clip illustrations of practice. This DVD set can be ordered from CDE Press by calling the toll-free number at 1-800-995-4099. The price of the set of DVDs is $32.95.
Parent Resources
- Care About Quality: Your Guide to Child Care
This resource guide was published by the California Department of Education in 2000 to provide parents and family seeking child care with key indicators of quality child care settings, information on the types of child care available, and tips for interviewing potential child care providers.
Preschool Resources
- California Preschool Learning Foundations
The California Preschool Learning Foundations describes competencies—knowledge and skills—that most children can be expected to exhibit in a high-quality program as they complete their first or second year of preschool.- California Preschool Learning Foundations (DVD Series)
Nine DVDs feature the domains in the California Preschool Learning Foundations publication. Each disc covers a domain, showing preschool learning in action. DVDs may be purchased individually or as a full set.
- California Preschool Learning Foundations (DVD Series)
- California Preschool Curriculum Frameworks
Created as companion volumes to the California Preschool Learning Foundations, the California Preschool Curriculum Frameworks present strategies for early childhood educators that enrich learning and development opportunities for all of California’s preschool children.
- California Preschool Program Guidelines (PDF; 5MB)
The California Preschool Program Guidelines provides the detailed guidance needed by administrators and teachers to offer high-quality preschool programs that prepare children to arrive in kindergarten with the foundational skills necessary for school success.
- Guía del Programa Preescolar de California (PDF; 3MB; Posted 20-Dec-2017) is the Spanish translation of this document.
- Guía del Programa Preescolar de California (PDF; 3MB; Posted 20-Dec-2017) is the Spanish translation of this document.
- Preschool English Learners: Principles and Practices to Promote Language, Literacy, and Learning: A Resource Guide (2nd Edition) (PDF; 8MB)
This resource guide offers a user-friendly review of current research on how to support the language development of English learners during the preschool years (ages three to five).
- Preschool English Learners: A Resource Guide (ISBN 978-0--8011-1667-4) can be purchased from CDE Press by calling the toll-free number at 1-800-995-4099. The price of the publication is $17.55.
- The Spanish translation of this document, Niños de edad preescolar que aprenden inglés: Principios y prácticas que fomentan el lenguaje, la lecto-escritura y el aprendizaje: Guía de Recursos (PDF; 14 MB) can be purchased from CDE Press by calling the toll-free number at 1-800-995-4099. The price of the publication is $17.55.
- A companion DVD, A World Full of Language: Supporting Preschool English Learners, is a Telly Award program produced by the California Department of Education, Early Learning and Care Division, in 2007. The DVD provides information on how young children acquire English as a second language, and offers strategies teachers can use to support English learners. The DVD and accompanying booklet in English and Spanish are available.
- The resource guide, DVD, and booklets can also be purchased together by submitting one of the following brochures:
For English, please submit the English-language brochure (PDF; 2MB).
For Spanish, please submit the Spanish-language brochure (PDF; 2MB).
Other Early Education Division Publications
- California Comprehensive Early Learning Plan (PDF; 7MB)
California's Comprehensive Early Learning Plan (CCELP) provides key direction for the State in the development of a high-quality birth-to-age-five system that provides all children with the knowledge and skills they need to achieve long-term success.
- California's Best Practices for Young Dual Language Learners - Research Overview Papers (PDF)
This publication includes research on dual language learners.
- First Class – A Guide for Early Primary Education (PDF; 14MB)
A Preschool-Kindergarten-First Grade guide for early primary education, published by the California Department of Education in 1999.
- Inclusion Works! Creating Child Care Programs that Promote Belonging for Children with Disabilities, Second Edition (PDF; 7MB)
Updated with new information and is an essential guide for anyone providing child care for children from birth to twelve years old. It offers guidance for providers of child care programs and highlights resources and strategiesthat promote inclusion and belonging for all children. This online-only publication has a companion video series.
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Early Education Division | 916-322-6233
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, April 12, 2023
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