Helping Early Learning
A Guide to Preschool Curriculum Quality
Based on A New Vision for High-Quality Preschool Curriculum by the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2024)
Cut Through the Noise. Focus on What Matters Most.
There is no shortage of research on early childhood education, but much of it can be difficult to access or apply. This guide was created to make the findings of a major 2024 study from the National Academies of Sciences more usable for leaders in the field.
The Preschool Curriculum Quality Guide is a companion to A New Vision for High-Quality Preschool Curriculum and was designed for state and program leaders, curriculum teams, and decision-makers working to improve outcomes for children ages 3 to 5. It focuses especially on supporting children who are too often underserved, including Black and Latine children, dual language learners, children with disabilities, and those experiencing poverty.
The guide helps leaders reflect on the study’s recommendations and use them to strengthen curriculum guidance, selection, and implementation at the state and program level.
What You’ll Find Inside
Why This Guide Matters Now
- Define “high quality” in concrete, evidence-aligned terms
- Center equity and inclusion in every decision
- Translate extensive research into actionable next steps
Our Partners
About the Study
- Synthesizes the latest science on how young children learn
- Calls for equity- and justice-centered curriculum design
- Offers guidance on how states and programs can select, implement, and evaluate curriculum more effectively
Need Help Navigating the Research?
We know the research landscape can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re balancing the daily demands of leading systems and serving students. If you know the insights are out there but need help finding, interpreting, or applying them, we can help.
EdSolutions specializes in knowledge mobilization, surfacing relevant research, and translating it into strategies that work in practice.
© 2025 EdSolutions. Turning research into tools for better outcomes. Created in collaboration with state leaders Funded by the Gates Foundation