Introduction
Early learning standards are “standards that describe expectations for the learning and development of young children across the domains of: health and physical well-being, social and emotional well-being; approaches to learning; language development and symbol systems; and general knowledge about the world around them” (CCSSO, 2005).
“In early childhood, the development of foundation skills (skills that lay the foundation for later learning), is just as imperative as mystery of content matter” (Bodrova, Leong, & Shore, 2004). It is essential that effective early learning standards emphasize significant developmentally appropriate content and outcomes are developed and reviewed through informed, inclusive processes, gain their effectiveness through implementation and assessment practices that support all children’s development in an ethical, appropriate way and require a foundation of support for early childhood programs, professionals and families (NAEYC& NAESC/SDE, 2003).
Learning standards are intended to set the bar for student achievement and in the primary years, they can be crafted to apply brain and development research in their implementations (Schiller& Willis, 2008). The most comprehensive set of standards for quality education and care in early childhood is known as Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP) (NAEYC, 2009). Early learning standards will connect teaching practice and curriculum to government and community guidelines. This will ensure that young children receive quality care and will help us to achieve professional status.
Throughout this paper, I will focus on why the implementation of standards across all areas of Early Childhood Centres will assist in their establishment while discussing the following topics: staffing, licensing and regulations, physical environment, health, safety and nutrition, curriculum