Regulations and Standards

Early childhood systems must enhance and align standards both within and across systems.

Standards should be used to integrate services and practices across systems as appropriate. They must be updated regularly to reflect current child and family needs and best practices.

In this Series

Featured Resources
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Featured Resources

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Infants And Toddlers in the Policy Picture: A Self-Assessment Toolkit For States
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A Place to Get Started: Innovation in State Infant and Toddler Policies
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New Resources for States’ Infant and Toddler Early Learning Guidelines Webinar

This Policy Center/National Infant & Toddler Child Care Initiative webinar highlighted two new resources for states as they develop, implement, and revise Early Learning Guidelines for infants and to…
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Putting Standards Into Practice: States' Use of Early Learning Guidelines

Learn how Early Learning Guidelines for infants and toddlers improve the quality of care and learning and develop a more qualified workforce.
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Putting the Pieces Together for Infants and Toddlers: Comprehensive, Coordinated Systems

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Illinois Passes Legislation To Decrease Use of Expulsions in Early Care and Education Settings

Illinois passed legislation in 2017 that prohibits early childhood programs receiving funds from the State Board of Education (ISBE) from expelling children aged 0-5 for behavioral issues.
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Foundations to the Indiana Academic Standards for Young Children from Birth to Age Five

The Foundations to the Indiana Academic Standards for Young Children from Birth to Age Five are based on the latest national research and findings on child development.
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California's Child Development Training Consortium Raises Educational Standards and Curriculum Alignment - Old

Learn how this program supports the education and preparation of an effective, well-compensated, and diverse early learning workforce.
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Ohio's Standards of Care and Teaching for Ohio’s Infants and Toddlers
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Pennsylvania's Early Learning Standards
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Healthy Beginnings: Maryland's Guidelines for Healthy Child Development and Care for Young Children (Birth to Three Years of Age)

Healthy Beginnings is designed to help caregivers tap the amazing potential for learning and growth that all young children have. The site offers resources, knowledge, and support around child care a…
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Washington's Early Learning and Development Benchmarks (Birth to Kindergarten Entry)

The state Department of Early Learning (DEL), in partnership with OSPI and Thrive by Five Washington, has published the Early Learning and Development Guidelines for children from birth through third…
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Vermont Takes on the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge

In December, 2013, Vermont became one of the six newest states to receive a Race to the Top-Early Learning Challenge (RTT-ELC) grant.
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Pennsylvania Takes on the Race to the Top Early Learning Challenge
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New York Quality Rating and Improvement System Supports Quality for Infants and Toddlers
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New Hampshire's Early Learning Guidelines (Birth to Five)

The New Hampshire Early Learning Standards Birth to Five are a statewide resource for everyone who loves, cares for, and educates young children.
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Nebraska Early Learning Guidelines for Ages Birth to 3

Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers: Recommendations for States, a 2008 report by ZERO TO THREE, drawing on the expertise of national and state leaders, offers recommendations and exam…
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Michigan's Early Childhood Standards of Quality for Infants and Toddlers
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Louisiana's Early Learning Guidelines

Louisiana released birth to five early learning guidelines in 2013.