Quality Standards
The Quality Standards describe the requirements and expectations of Early Learning For All network programs with important information to help programs understand each standard and the connection to every child’s development. The standards are based on research in best practices for early education and child development and were created with input from national and state experts as well as families and educators in San Francisco. They define what we believe all early childhood programs should do when caring for young children.
Eligibility Requirements
Before a program can even apply to join the Early Learning For All network, there are baseline quality requirements they must meet including minimum teacher qualifications, appropriate staffing ratios, and maintaining good standing with the California Community Care Licensing Division. For more information on Eligibility Requirements visit our Join Early Learning For All page.
Early Learning For All Quality Standards
DEC has five quality standards designed to ensure all children enrolled in Early Learning For All programs benefit from high-quality early learning experiences that prepare them to succeed in Kindergarten and beyond. When programs apply to join the Early Learning for All network, they participate in a series of site visits and assessments (also known as the program validation process) to ensure that they meet our three Core Standards. Backed by research and affirmed by family and educator engagement, the Core Standards are the most essential to ensuring high quality early learning experiences for children and families which is why programs must demonstrate they meet these standards before they can join our network.
However, all five quality standards are critical. Once a new program joins our network, they sign a participation agreement that outlines the minimum thresholds they must meet across all five standards in order to maintain their Early Learning For All status and timelines by which they must meet these thresholds if they are not already doing so.
Download Quality Standards
Continuous Quality Improvement
Of course, simply meeting the minimum thresholds for each Quality Standard is the just the beginning of an Early Learning For All program’s quality journey. Every program and educator, no matter how experienced and accomplished, can always improve. Once an Early Learning For All program meets the minimum thresholds of all five standards as indicated in their participation agreement, they then develop a continuous Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) in collaboration with DEC’s Early Learning Quality team. The QIP identifies program-specific quality improvement goals and establishes a quality assurance and monitoring cadence with DEC and our quality assessment partners.
Continuous
Quality Improvement
Early Learning For All Quality Standards
Continuous Professional Development
Learning Opportunities
Core Standard:
Engaged Educators & Interactions
Core Standard:
Safe & Engaging Environments
Core Standard:
Family Partnerships
Eligibility Requirements
