Quality Standards
The Quality Standards describe the requirements and expectations of Early Learning For All network programs with important information to help programs understand each standard and the connection to every child’s development. The standards are based on research in best practices for early education and child development and were created with input from national and state experts as well as families and educators in San Francisco. They define what we believe all early childhood programs should do when caring for young children.
Our Five Quality Standards
DEC has five quality standards designed to ensure all children enrolled in Early Learning For All programs benefit from high-quality early learning experiences that prepare them to succeed in Kindergarten and beyond. When programs apply to join the Early Learning for All network, they participate in a series of site visits and assessments (also known as the program validation process) to ensure that they meet our three Core Standards. Backed by research and affirmed by family and educator engagement, the Core Standards are the most essential to ensuring high quality early learning experiences for children and families which is why programs must demonstrate they meet these standards before they can join our network.
However, all five quality standards are critical. Once a new program joins our network, they sign a participation agreement that outlines the minimum thresholds they must meet across all five standards in order to maintain their Early Learning For All status and timelines by which they must meet these thresholds if they are not already doing so.
Continuous Quality Improvement
Of course, simply meeting the minimum thresholds for each Quality Standard is the just the beginning of an Early Learning For All program’s quality journey. Every program and educator, no matter how experienced and accomplished, can always improve. Once an Early Learning For All program meets the minimum thresholds of all five standards as indicated in their participation agreement, they then develop a continuous Quality Improvement Plan (QIP) in collaboration with DEC’s Early Learning Quality team. The QIP identifies program-specific quality improvement goals and establishes a quality assurance and monitoring cadence with DEC and our quality assessment partners.
Continuous Quality
Improvement
Early Learning For All Quality Standards
Continuous Professional Development
Learning Opportunities
Core Standard:
Engaged Educators & Interactions
Core Standard:
Safe & Engaging Environments
Core Standard:
Family Partnerships
Eligibility Requirements
Guidelines and Forms
Operating Guidelines
The Early Learning For All Operating Guidelines describe policies and procedures for funded programs such as payments, reporting, and programmatic requirements.
The FY 25-26 Operating Guidelines were recently revised. Chinese and Spanish versions will be available again soon. In the meantime, if you have any questions regarding Early Learning For All policies, please feel free to contact [email protected].
Funding Information Documents
Family Forms
Form
FY 26–27 Early Learning For All Self-Declaration Form
Form
FY 26–27 Early Learning for All Family Enrollment Form
Please note: DEC does not require providers to return families’ completed data acknowledgement forms to us. We ask that you simply keep copies of signed forms in each child’s file.
Data Reporting
DEC Enrollment Tracking System (DETS)
The DEC Enrollment Tracking System (DETS) is the data system DEC uses to record and track enrollments funded through MRA, CSPP, CCTR, Early Head Start, and Head Start. Early Learning For All providers serving children enrolled with one or more of these funding types are required to input their enrollments and certify their enrollment data monthly. The deadline to certify enrollment data each month is the 5th of the following month. For example, if you are certifying your January enrollment data, the deadline to certify is February 5th.
California ECE Workforce Registry
The California ECE Workforce Registry is designed to track and promote the education, training and experience of the early care and education workforce. Participation in the Registry is required for Early Learning For All programs, and all educators working at Early Learning For All sites must maintain up-to-date registry profiles in order to receive DEC-funded Workforce Compensation.
Resources for Educators and Staff
Resources for Employers
Contact
WELS Team
- (650) 220-6101
Contact for questions about:
- WELS Quality Portal technical support including login issues.
Access & Enrollment
Contact for questions about:
- ELFA payments including MRA and Vouchers, ELFA policies and procedures, DETS administration, or Funding/Participation Agreement inquiries.
Join ELFA Team
Contact for questions about:
- Joining the ELFA network including eligibility, application, and program validation support.
ELFA Facilities Team
Contact for questions about:
- If you are already a qualified Early Learning for All (ELFA) program and are planning to expand your program, or any facilities changes
Children’s Council Help Desk
- 415-343-4669
Contact for questions about:
- Creating or updating your Workforce Registry profile; employer administrative access or your registry account