About the Standards

Building a Strong F​oundation for School Success

First developed in 2003, by a statewide workgroup of representative stakeholders in early care and education, these standards are designed as a framework to assist parents, early care, ​intervention, and education professionals, administrators, and others in understanding what children are able to know and do from birth through four years of age. The Early Childhood Standards will enable early care and education professionals and others to become more knowledgeable in providing the experiences to help children reach their full potential. The vision for Kentucky’s young children and their families is that all young children are healthy and safe, possess the foundation that will enable school and personal success, and live in strong families that are supported and strengthened within their communities. Kentucky envisions learning as a continuum, beginning at birth and continuing throughout life. This is reflected in the strong alliances among early childhood educators, public school administrators, institutions of higher education, parent ​associations, and the business community.