We are excited to announce the release of the revised Early Learning and Development Standards! These standards are the result of a collaborative effort between the Ohio Department of Education (ODE) and the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS), along with numerous stakeholders.
The standards cover the essential domains of development and school readiness from infancy through the end of preschool. They describe what children need to learn and illustrate how skills may develop in the first five years of life. The standards have been updated to reflect new knowledge about how young children learn and develop as supported by research. Early care and education providers across Ohio will use the standards to guide curriculum selection and implementation.
The revised standards were reorganized with new domains and a new developmental continuum structure, which replaced age bands. Learn about these changes and more by reading the standards, which are available on the BOLD Beginning! website and on the Ohio Department of Education website. One printed copy of the standards will be sent to each ODE- or ODJFS-licensed site that serves infant, toddler, and/or preschool children. Additional copies will be available at no cost during in-person trainings, through your local Child Care Resource and Referral Agency or State Support Team office, and at the Ohio Early Childhood Conference in April.
For ODJFS and ODE programs participating in Step Up To Quality, information about the implementation timeline, including alignment requirements, and the revision of forms will be included in a Child Care Manual Procedure Letter issued by ODJFS. The Child Care Manual Procedure Letter will be made publicly available on the eManuals website found here: ODJFS eManuals (ohio.gov).
Multiple training opportunities for early care and educational providers of preschool age children, infants, toddlers, and other mixed age groups will be available in 2023 beginning with an on-demand overview training. All standards trainings will be listed in the Ohio Professional Registry, Ohio Approved and free! More information coming soon. If you have any questions about the revised Early Learning and Development Standards, please reach out to ELSR@education.ohio.gov.