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Early Education

There are many child care and development programs in California. These programs are for children from birth to age twelve. They offer early learning and after-school services to babies, toddlers, children in preschool, and children in kindergarten through sixth grade. Some programs assist children with disabilities and children of migrant farm workers. Many of the programs were set up to help parents with child care while they work.

Child care and development programs can provide care, education, and food for children. They are paid for with state and federal tax money, and in some cases, parent fees.

The California Department of Education helps manage several child care and development programs in California.


Program Overview
Descriptions of and budget information about child development programs administered by the Department.
Contractor Information
Resources and important information for early education contractors, including Desired Results, management bulletins, forms, fiscal services, child development permits, and data reporting.
Laws, Regulations, & Requirements
Legal and regulatory requirements contained in Education Code, California Code of Regulations, Funding Terms & Conditions, Compliance Review Instrument, California School Accounting Manual, and Audit Guide.
Quality Rating and Improvement System
A Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) is a systemic approach to assess, improve, and communicate the level of quality in early and school-age care and education programs.
Resources
Resources for child development contractors, families and the child care community.
Interest Holder Groups
Leadership bodies that ensure statewide collaboration among early childhood programs that will help to define future policy for children birth to kindergarten.
Recently Posted in Early Education
  • Management Bulletin 24-12 (added 20-Dec-2024)
    Guidance on the required family childcare provider data elements to be reported.
  • Management Bulletin 24-11 (added 16-Dec-2024)
    Guidance on Cost of Care Plus Rate Allocations and Transitional Payments for the California State Preschool Program
  • Management Bulletin 24-10 (added 13-Dec-2024)
    Guidance on Suspension and Expulsion in California State Preschool Program Family Childcare Home Education Networks.
  • Enrollment Table for Children with Disabilities (added 26-Nov-2024)
    This enrollment table is provided as a resource to be used when preschool-age children with disabilities are placed in an educational program pursuant to their Individual Education Program (IEP).