Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards - The Department of Education designated Early Childhood Consultants (Early Learning Work Team) to develop a set of state standards. The Early Learning Work Team reviewed other state's early childhood program standards and national research regarding program standards and criteria. Based on the research and comprehensive information of the National Association for the Education of Young Children program standards and criteria, the Early Learning Work Team developed state standards based on all 10 of the NAEYC program standards and 45% of the NAEYC program criteria. The Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards, were completed by the spring of 2004. These standards were developed to be used for programs with 3- and 4-year-old children.

Early Childhood Education Issues from ERS - The kindergarten year, which has swung back and forth over the decades from a time for children to learn social skills to one when they work on early academic skills, is now dedicated to building a foundation for reading. This current version of kindergarten can have a profound effect on what is taught in formal prekindergarten programs, as well as on how it is taught. Issues relating to early childhood education are complex, and each of them has far-reaching implications for both public schools and the children they serve.

Early Childhood Programs & Evaluation from the Harvard Family Research Project - This issue charts the course of early childhood programming and evaluation over nearly half a century. Contributing authors offer a range of views on how best to communicate the importance of investing in a child’s early years and how to improve early childhood programs and policies. Several articles consider the explosion of science—from longitudinal studies to a large-scale demonstration program—that has helped forward our understanding of how young children learn and grow. Finally, a number of articles suggest that better information is needed to close the persistent gap in achievement.

Exceptional Returns: Economic, Fiscal, and Social Benefits of Investment in Early Childhood Development - This report from from the Economic Policy Institute indicates that there is a strong consensus among the experts about the payoffs of high-quality early childhood development (ECD) programs.

Early Childhood Education for All: A Wise Investment - A report issued by Legal Momentum and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Workplace Center. In reviewing decades of research, the report's authors found that children who receive high-quality early education do better in school and are more likely to graduate and become employed. The report notes that every dollar spent on high-quality child care and early childhood education saves each taxpayer as much as $13 down the road in costs related to public education, criminal justice, and welfare.

Building State Early Childhood Comprehensive Systems - Capitalizing on the exciting early childhood programs momentum sweeping the country, the National Center for Infant and Early Childhood Health Policy has released a series of 15 reports and corresponding policy briefs all geared to helping states develop their own initiatives for optimizing health, development, and well-being in early childhood.

Clearinghouse on Early Education and Parenting - Research in early childhood education.