For the Provider
The below links are potential resources for professionals in the field of early child care and education. The use or mention of any of these sponsoring sites or publications does not imply an endorsement by Early Care and Education Projects or the University of Arkansas.
Better Beginnings is the statewide Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS) which is managed by the Arkansas Department of Human Services, Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education. It operates by connecting Arkansas families with information and guidance that helps their children experience a safe, happy, healthy childhood.
Better Beginnings improves the level of quality in child care and early childhood education for all licensed center-based programs and licensed/registered family child care programs across the state. It functions as a voluntary three-tier system that evaluates programs along five component areas: 1) Administration, 2) Administrator and Staff Qualifications and Professional Development, 3) Learning Environment 4) Environmental Assessment, and 5) Child Health and Development.
The requirements of Better Beginnings are aligned with Arkansas' early learning standards and workforce core competencies for professionals.
- Visit the Better Beginnings website for much more info that parents, families, providers, and teachers can all use
- View Arkansas' profile from Quality Compendium for a complete comprehensive report
- Remember to look for the Better Beginnings star ratings when searching for local child care providers in Arkansas
Arkansas Approved Early Childhood Curriculum List
Arkansas Child Development and Early Learning Standards: Birth through 60 Months (Arkansas CDELS)
(English) (Spanish)
Arkansas Workforce Knowledge and Competencies (WKC) for Early Care and Education Professionals
Adventures for Toddlers a comprehensive curriculum for children aged 18 to 36 months
Adventures in Learning a comprehensive curriculum for children aged 3 to 5 years old
Association of Measurements: Early Childhood (AOM)
Books and Movement: A Magical Mix (BAMMM!)
Connecting Literature and Math (CLAM) supports teachers by providing math to children aged 3 to 5
Connecting with Infants a curriculum for children birth to 18 months
Creative Adventures with Literature literature and art supplement for teachers of children ages 3 to 5
Developmental Rating Scale: Birth through 36 Months (DRS)
(printable) (interactive)
Developmental Rating Scale: 19 through 60 Months (DRS)
(printable) (interactive)
Getting Ready For Kindergarten: A Calendar of Family Activities
(English) (Spanish)
Infant and Toddler Family Connection activities that connect infants and toddlers to their child care setting and their families
Kindergarten Readiness Indicator Checklist for Parents (KRIC)
(English) (Eng. interactive) (Spanish) (Sp. interactive)
Kindergarten Readiness Indicator Checklist for Teachers (KRIC)
(English) (Eng. interactive) (Spanish) (Sp. interactive)
Picture This: A Framework for Quality Care and Education for Children from Three to Five
Picture This: A Framework for Quality Care for Infants and Toddlers
Strategies and Activities: Infant Toddler
Strategies and Activities: Preschool
The Family Connection activities that connect children ages 3 to 5 to their classroom and their families
"TOP 10" Basics for Health and Safety in Child Care Centers
"TOP 10" Basics for Health and Safety in Child Care Family Homes
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
Central and Southeast Arkansas
Central and Southwest Arkansas
Northeast Arkansas and Lonoke County
ATTENTION ARKANSAS CHILD CARE PROFESSIONALS:
The below MLR's are the most current version from the Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education, effective Decemeber 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)
Age-Appropriate Activities
- Activities for Early Childhood Education and Development
- Baby Sensory
- Busy Toddler
- Frozen Flowers and More!
- Homemade Toys
- Science Sound Shakers
- Sensory Obstacle Courses
- The Imagination Tree
- Toddler Approved
Arkansas Department of Education (ADE)
Arkansas Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education (DCCECE)
- Birth through Prekindergarten Teaching Credential checklist and application
- Infant Toddler Certificate checklist and application
- Child Care Licensing
Arkansas Division of Elementary and Secondary Education
Arkansas Early Childhood Association (AECA)
Arkansas Education Service Cooperatives
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
- COVID-19 Questions-CFOC Crosswalk
- Chapter 4.2.0.10: Care for Children with Food Allergies
- Chapter 5.2.9.3: Informing Staff Regarding the Presence of Toxic Substances
- Chapter 6.5.2.1: Drop-off and Pick-up
- Chapter 7: Infectious Diseases
- Appendix J: Selecting an Appropriate Sanitizer or Disinfectant
Center for 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 program for tracking children's development
Child Development Associate Credential™ (CDA)
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 Deptartment 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
Erikson Institute Technology in Early Childhood Center
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 Deptartment of Health
- ARKids First a health insurance program for children in Arkansas through DHS
- KidsHealth
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 Deptartment of Health
- Your Baby's Hearing and Communicative Development Checklist from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders
Indispensable Policies and Practices for High-Quality Pre-K from New America
MyPlate ideas and tips to help create a healthier eating style that meets individual needs from the USDA
National Association for Family Child Care
National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- Advancing Equity in Early Childhood Education
- Code of Ethical Conduct and Statement of Commitment
- Developmentally Appropriate Practice (DAP)
- Early Childhood Curriculum, Assessment, and Program Evaluation
- Learning and Development Resources for Families
- NAEYC Position Statement
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
Posters
- Prevent Choking! poster (English) (Spanish)
- Prevent Portion Distortion
- Rethink Your Drink
- Sugary Drinks Addiction in America
- Supermarket Secrets
Poverty
- American Psychological Association
- Children's Defense Fund
- Communication Across Barriers
- Search Institute
- Learning for Justice
- Teaching Channel
Safe Sleep for Your Baby resources for caregivers and families
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
- Play Safe info about toy safety from The Toy Association, Inc.
- Requesting a Child Maltreatment Registry Check from the Arkansas Dept of Children and Family Services
- Safe Kids Worldwide protecting kids from unintentional injuries
- U.S. Safety Standards safety rules and regulations in the toy industry
- You Can Prevent Shaken Baby Syndrome from the Arkansas Dept of Health
Safe Sleep for Your Baby resources for caregivers and families
Southern Early Childhood Association (SECA)
TEACH Arkansas Scholarship Program a licensed program of the Child Care Services Association and administered by the Arkansas Early Childhood Association
Technical Assistance Center on Social Emotional Intervention (TACSEI)
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
Email us for any questions, issues, or for more info regarding the content on this page.
Request a training from ECEP.