Program Standard 1 — Relationships

The program promotes positive relationships among all children and adults to encourage each child’s sense of individual worth and belonging as part of a community, and to foster each child’s ability to contribute as a responsible community member.

1. Building Positive Relations Among Teachers and Families

2. Building Positive Relationships between Teachers and Children

3. Building Positive Relationships Among Peers

4. Creating a Predictable, Consistent and Harmonious Classroom

5. Addressing Challenging Behaviors

6. Promoting Self-Regulation

Program Standard 2 — Curriculum

The program implements a curriculum that is consistent with its goals for children and promotes learning and development in each of the following domains: aesthetic, cognitive, emotional, language, physical, and social.

1. Essential Characteristics

2. Language Development

3. Early Literacy Development Early Mathematics
4. Scientific Inquiry and Knowledge
5. Understanding Ourselves, Our Communities and Our World
6. Creative Expression and Appreciation For the Arts
7. Physical Development and Skills

Program Standard 3 — Teaching

The program uses developmentally, culturally, and linguistically appropriate and effective teaching approaches that enhance each child’s learning and development in the context of the program’s curriculum goals.

1. Designing Enriched Learning Environments

2. Creating Caring Communities for Learning
3. Using Time, Grouping, and Routines to Achieve Learning Goals
4. Making Learning
5. Meaningful for All Children
6. Using Instruction to Deepen Children’s Understanding and Build Their Skills and Knowledge

Program Standard 4 — Assessment

The program is informed by ongoing systematic, formal, and informal assessment approaches to provide information on children’s learning and development. These assessments occur within the context of reciprocal communications with families and with sensitivity to the cultural contexts in which children develop. Assessment results are used to benefit children by informing sound decisions about children, teaching, and program improvement.

1. Creating an Assessment Plan Using Appropriate Assessment Procedures

2. Adapting Curriculum, Individualizing Teaching, and Informing Program Development

3. Communicating With Families and Involving Families in the Assessment Process

Program Standard 5 — Health

The program promotes the nutrition and health of all children and staff and protects them from preventable illness and injury.

1. Adult and Child Practices for Health Promotion and Protection (Including Measures to Control Infectious Disease)
2. Nutrition
3. Practices for Maintenance of a Healthful Environment

Program Standard 6 — Teachers

The program employs and supports a teaching staff that has the educational qualifications, knowledge, and professional commitment necessary to promote children’s learning and development and to support families’ diverse needs and interests.

1. Preparation, Knowledge, and Skills of Teaching Staff
2. Teacher’s Dispositions and Professional Commitment

Program Standard 7 — Families

The program establishes and maintains collaborative relationships with each child’s family to foster children’s development in all settings. These relationships are sensitive to family composition, language, and culture.

1. Knowing and Understanding the Program’s
2. Sharing Information Between Staff and Families
3. Families Nurturing Families as Advocates for Their Children

Program Standard 8 — Community Partnerships

The program establishes relationships with and uses the resources of the children’s communities to support the achievement of program goals.

1. Linking with the Community

2. Accessing Community Resources
3. Acting as a Citizen in the Neighborhood and the Early Childhood Community

Program Standard 9 — Physical Environment

The program provides appropriate and well-maintained indoor and outdoor physical environments, including facilities, equipment, and materials, to facilitate child and staff learning and development. To this end, a program structures a safe and healthful environment.

1. Indoor and Outdoor Equipment,
2. Materials and Furnishings
3. Building/Physical Design
4. Environmental Health

Program Standard 10 — Leadership And Management

The program effectively implements policies, procedures, and systems in support of stable staff and strong personnel, fiscal, and program management so that all children, families and staff have high-quality experiences.

1. Leadership Management Policies and Procedures
2. Fiscal Accountability Policies and Procedures
3. Health, Nutrition, and Safety Policies and Procedures
4. Personnel Policies