Arkansas Approved Early Childhood Curriculum from the Office of Early Childhood (March 2026)
Arkansas Workforce Knowledge and Competencies (WKC) define what early childhood professionals should know and be able to do in their role working with and/or on behalf of children and families
Adventures for Toddlers comprehensive curriculum for children aged 18 to 36 months
Adventures in Learning comprehensive curriculum for children aged 3 to 5 years old
Books and Movement: A Magical Mix (BAMMM!) series of activity guides that connect literature and movement
Connecting Literature and Math (CLAM) supports teachers by providing math to children aged 3 to 5
Connecting with Infants curriculum for children birth to 18 months
Creative Adventures with Literature literature and art supplement for teachers of children ages 3 to 5
Story-A-Month collection of storytelling patterns and learning activities for favorite children’s books and Mother Goose Rhymes
Child Care Aware® of America works with a national network of more than 400 child care resource and referral agencies and other partners to ensure that all families have access to quality, affordable child care. CCAoA leads projects that increase the quality and availability of child care, conducts research, and advocates for child care policies that positively impact the lives of children and families.
Child Care Aware sites in Arkansas
Northwest Arkansas and River Valley
The below MLRs are the most current version from the Office of Early Childhood, effective December 1, 2020. Please check the publication date on the cover page at your center or home and ensure that it's the newest version.
Minimum Licensing Requirements for Child Care Centers (rev. 12/01/2020)
Minimum Licensing Requirements for Licensed Child Care Family Homes (rev. 12/01/2020)
Minimum Licensing Requirements for Out-of-School Time Facilities (rev. 12/01/2020)
Minimum Licensing Requirements for Registered Child Care Family Homes (rev. 12/01/2020)
Arkansas Better Chance (ABC)
Arkansas Department of Education (ADE)
Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Arkansas Early Childhood Association (AECA)
- TEACH Early Childhood® Arkansas scholorship program from AECA
Arkansas Education Service Cooperatives
Arkansas Office of Early Childhood (OEC)
Arkansas Professional Development Registry (PDR)
Association for Early Learning Leaders
Caring for Our Children (CFOC) the most up-to-date source for health and safety guidelines in early care and education programs
Center on the Developing Child at Harvard University, a multidisciplinary team committed to driving science-based innovation in policy and practice
Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning (CSEFEL)
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
- Autism Spectrum Disorder
- Developmental Disabilities
- Developmental Milestones for children ages 2 months to 5 years
- Learn the Signs. Act Early. track your child’s development and act early if you have a concern
Child Development Associate Credential™ (CDA) Credentialing Process Overview
Choke Tube Tester from Kaplan®
Curricula Concepts promoting positive relationships between educators, children, and their families
Dietary Guidelines for Americans updated for 2025 - 2030
Disabilities
- First Connections an Arkansas program under IDEA designed for families and children, ages birth to 3, with special needs
- iCAN Arkansas' statewide Assistive Technology program
- IDEA from the US Department of Education's Individuals with Disabilities Education Act
- National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities
- Office of Special Education Programs for infants, toddlers, children, and youth with disabilities ages birth to 21
- Part C of IDEA early intervention services for infants and toddlers with disabilities, and their families
- Wrightslaw information, laws, and advocacy about children's disabilities for parents and educators
Food Allergy Research and Education (FARE)
Health
- Arkansas Children's for community, family, and child health
- Arkansas WIC (Women, Infants, and Children) the special supplemental nutrition program from the Arkansas Department of Health
- ARKids First a health insurance program that provides coverage for thousands of children across the state
- KidsHealth advice and resources on children's health, behavior, and growth – from before birth through the teen years
Hearing
- Communicating With Baby: Tips and Milestones From Birth to Age 5 from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
- Infant Hearing in Arkansas info from the Arkansas Department of Health
- Your Baby's Hearing and Communicative Development Checklist from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
How Does Your Child Hear and Talk? from the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association
National Association for Family Child Care
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
National Center for Children in Poverty
National Center for Pyramid Model Innovations
National Head Start Association
National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education
Poverty
Safety
- ChildSafe Kit request a free kit, a must-have for all parents
- Period of PURPLE Crying® from the National Center on Shaken Baby Syndrome
- Prevent Choking! (English) (Spanish)
- Safe Kids Worldwide protecting kids from unintentional injuries
- Safe Sleep for Your Baby resources for caregivers and families
- You Can Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome from the Arkansas Department of Health
Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA)
TIPS for Great Kids! a useful, practical info for parents that leads to successful outcomes for children ages birth to 5 years from UAMS
Tools of the Mind® helping children become intentional and reflective learners, by creating a classroom in which instruction reflect children's learning capacity, rather than age-level expectations
- A Year of Play browse fun seasonal activities by month to find play activities that promote your child's development all year
- Getting Started with Mindfulness: A Toolkit for Early Childhood Organizations
- Songs, Rhymes, and Fingerplays