A Comprehensive List of Common Early Childhood Education Acronyms
Mackenzie Lee
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5.0 Rating
Here is a list of popular acronyms used in Early Childhood Education:
A
ACCI: Association for Childhood Education International. The Association for Childhood Education International is a professional organization that strives to promote quality education for all children worldwide.
Accreditation: The process by which a school or program is evaluated against a set of standards to ensure that it meets certain quality criteria.
ACE: Adverse Childhood Experiences. Adverse Childhood Experiences are traumas that can occur in childhood, such as abuse or neglect. These experiences can have a lasting effect on a child's health and well-being.
ACF: Administration for Children and Families. The Administration for Children and Families is a federal agency that works to promote the well-being of children and families in the United States.
ACK: American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages is a professional organization that promotes the teaching of languages in the United States.
ACL: Administrator Credential Level. There are three levels of credentials that administrators can earn in Early Childhood Education: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.
AEI: Association for the Education of Young Children. The Association for the Education of Young Children is a professional organization that works to promote high-quality early childhood education for all children.
APT: Assessment of Program Practices Tool. This tool that can be used to assess the quality of Early Childhood Education programs.
Approaches to Learning: This refers to the ways in which children learn. There are three main approaches to learning: cognitive, social, and emotional.
ASQ-SE: Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social-Emotional. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire is a tool that can be used to assess a child's social-emotional development.
ASQ-3: Ages and Stages Questionnaire 3rd Edition. The ASQ-3 is a tool that can be used to assess the developmental milestones of children from birth to 5 years old.
At Risk: This term is used to describe children who are more likely than others to experience difficulties in school or in life. Factors that can put a child at risk include poverty, abuse, and neglect.
B
BAS: Business Administration Scale. The Business Administration Scale is a tool that can be used to assess the quality of Early Childhood Education programs.
Best Practices: This refers to the methods and strategies that have been proven to be most effective in Early Childhood Education.
Blended Funding: This refers to the use of both public and private funds to support Early Childhood Education programs.
Braided Funding: This refers to the use of multiple funding sources to support Early Childhood Education programs.
C
CACFP: Child and Adult Care Food Program. The Child and Adult Care Food Program is a federal program that provides reimbursements for meals served to children in child care programs.
CAP: Child Abuse Prevention. Child Abuse Prevention is a type of program that works to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Career Ladder: A Career Ladder is a system that allows child care providers to advance in their careers by increasing their education and training.
CC: Creative Curriculum. A curriculum that is based on the principle that children learn best through play.
CCA: Child Care Association. The Child Care Association is a professional organization that works to promote quality child care.
CCAoA: Child Care Association of America. A professional organization that works to promote quality child care.
CCDBG: [Child Care and Development Block Grant](https://www.childcareaware.org/our-issues/public-policy/child-care-and-development-block-grant-ccdbg/ccdbg-overview/#:~:text=The Child Care and Development,families to access child care.). The Child Care and Development Block Grant is a federal grant that helps states improve the quality of child care and make it more affordable for families.
CCDF: Child Care and Development Fund. The Child Care and Development Fund is a federal program that provides financial assistance to families for child care.
CCHC: Child Care Health Consultants. Professionals who work to improve the health and safety of children in child care.
CCR&R: Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies help families find child care and provide resources to child care providers.
CD: Child Development. Child Development is the study of how children grow and develop.
CDA: Childcare Development Associate. A credential that can be earned by professionals working in Early Childhood Education.
CEU: Continuing Education Units. Credits that you can earn to maintain or improve your professional credentials.
CECD: Center for Early Childhood Development. The Center for Early Childhood Development is a research center that works to improve the quality of early childhood education.
CED: Council for Exceptional Children. The Council for Exceptional Children is a professional organization that works to promote the education of all children, including those with special needs.
Center-Based Child Care: This term refers to Early Childhood Education programs that are located in a central location, such as a school or child care center.
CFC: Child and Family Centers. Child and Continuing education refers to courses or programs that are taken to improve one's knowledge or skills.
CHELLO: Child Home Early Language and Literacy Observation. A research-based assessment tool that can be used to measure the language and literacy skills of young children.
CLASS: Classroom Assessment Scoring System. A tool that can be used to assess the quality of Early Childhood Education programs.
CNP: Child Nutrition Program. A federal program that provides funding for school lunch and breakfast programs.
CNS: Child Nutrition Services. A state agency that administers the Child Nutrition Program.
Continuity of Care: This term refers to the idea that children should have the same caregiver or teacher throughout their time in an Early Childhood Education program.
CPG: Career Pathways Grant. A federal grant that helps states create or improve career pathways for child care providers.
CWS: Child Welfare Services. A state agency that provides child welfare services, such as foster care and adoption.
D
DAP: Developmental Appropriate Practice. Developmentally Appropriate Practice is an approach to Early Childhood Education that emphasizes providing experiences and activities that are appropriate for the age and stage of development of the child.
DCF: Department of Children and Families. The agency in charge of child welfare services in some states.
DEECD: Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. The agency in charge of early childhood education in some states.
DCTC: Dependent Care Tax Credit. A tax credit that can be used by families to offset the cost of child care.
DEEC: Department of Early Education and Care. The state agency in Massachusetts that is responsible for Early Childhood Education.
E
ECAC: Early Childhood Advisory Council. A group of experts who advise the state on Early Childhood Education.
ECD: Early Childhood Development. Early Childhood Development is the study of how children grow and develop.
ECE: Early Childhood Education. Early Childhood Education is the care and education of children from birth to age eight.
ECERS: Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale. A tool that can be used to assess the quality of Early Childhood Education
ECSE: Early Childhood Special Education. Early Childhood Special Education is the education of young children with special needs, from birth to age 8.
EIS: Early Interventional Services. Services provided to young children with developmental delays or disabilities.
ELDS: Early Learning Development Standards. A set of standards that define what children should know and be able to do at each stage of development.
ELL: English Language Learner. A child who is learning English as a second language.
ESC: Educational Service Center. A regional office that provides support and services to schools in a specific area.
ESSA: Every Student Succeeds Act. The federal law that governs elementary and secondary education.
F
Family Parent Engagement: The process of involving families in their child's education and school activities.
FAPE: Free Appropriate Public Education. All children with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education.
FCC: Family Child Care. A type of child care that is provided in the provider's home.
FCCERS-R: Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised. A tool that can be used to assess the quality of Family Child Care
FCCLA: Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. A national organization for students in Family and Consumer Sciences education.
FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. A federal law that protects the privacy
FFN: Family, Friend, and Neighbor. A type of child care that is provided by someone the family knows, such as a relative or friend.
FSSA: Family and Social Services Administration. The state agency in Indiana that is responsible for Early Childhood Education.
G
GLR: Grade Level Reading. The percent of students in a grade who are reading at grade level.
Gross Motor Skills: A child's development of large muscle movement and control. Crawling, walking, jumping, etc.
H
HS/EHS: Head Start, Early Head Start. A federally funded program that provides Early Childhood Education, health, and social services to low-income children and families.
Home Visiting: A type of Early Intervention service in which a trained professional visits the child and family in their home to provide support and services.
I
IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The federal law that governs special education.
IACET: International Association for Continuing Education and Training. A professional organization that provides accreditation for continuing education programs.
IEP: Individualized Education Program. A plan that is created for each child.
IFSP: Individualized Family Service Plan. A plan that is created for each child with an Individual Family Service Plan.
K
KEA: Kindergarten Early Assessment. A screening that is given to all kindergarten students to assess their readiness for school.
L
LEA: Local Education Agency. The school district or charter school that a child attends.
Learning Disability: A disability that affects a child's ability to learn.
M
MIECHV: Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. A federally funded program that provides home visiting services to pregnant women and families with young children.
N
NAA: National Afterschool Association. A professional organization that provides resources and support for afterschool programs.
NACCA: National Child Care Association. A professional organization that provides resources and support for child care programs.
NAEYC: National Association for the Education of Young Children. A professional organization that provides accreditation for early childhood programs.
NCLB: No Child Left Behind. The federal law that was replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act.
O
OCC: Office of Child Care. The federal office that provides resources and support for child care providers.
OHS: Office of Head Start. The federal office that provides resources and support for Head Start programs.
OST: Out of School Time. The time when children are not in school, such as before and after school, weekends, and summer break.
OSEP: [Office of Special Education Programs](https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/index.html#:~:text=The Office of Special Education,assist states and local districts.). The federal office that provides resources and support for students with disabilities.
P
PARCC: Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers. A test that is given to students in 3rd-8th grade to assess their progress in meeting academic standards.
PD: Professional Development. Training that is provided to Early Childhood Educators to improve their skills.
PDG: Professional Development Grant. A grant that is provided to Early Childhood Educators to help them pay for professional development training.
PDO: Professional Development Opportunities. Training that is provided to Early Childhood Educators to improve their skills.
PDP: Professional Development Points. Points that are earned by Early Childhood Educators when they participate in professional development activities.
Protective Factors: Factors that reduce the risk of child maltreatment.
Q
QRIS: Quality Rating and Improvement System. A system that is used to rate the quality of early childhood programs.
R
RTT-ELC: Race to the Top- Early Learning Challenge. A federal grant program that provides funding to states to improve the quality of their early childhood programs.
Reimbursement Rates: The amount of money that a child care provider is reimbursed for each child they serve.
S
SAC: School-Age Care. Child care that is provided for school-age children.
SAU: School Administrative Unit. The school district that a child attends.
SIG: School Improvement Grants. A federal grant program that provides funding to schools to help them improve student achievement.
SLD: Specific Learning Disability. A disability that affects a child's ability to learn.
T
TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. A federal program that provides financial assistance to families in need.
TEACCH: Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication handicapped Children. A program that provides services to children with autism.
TIC: Trauma Informed Care. An approach to child care that takes into account the effects of trauma on children and families.
Title I: A federal program that provides funding to schools to improve the academic achievement of students from low-income families.
Title II: A federal program that provides funding to states to improve the quality of teaching in schools.
Transitional Child Care: Child care that is provided to families who are transitioning from welfare to work.
TQRIS: Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System. A system that is used to rate the quality of early childhood programs.
U
UPK: Universal Pre-Kindergarten. A program that provides free pre-kindergarten for all children.
USDE: U.S. Department of Education. The federal department that provides resources and support for education programs.
USDA: U.S. Department of Agriculture. The federal department that provides resources and support for child nutrition programs.
Here is a list of popular acronyms used in Early Childhood Education:
A
ACCI: Association for Childhood Education International. The Association for Childhood Education International is a professional organization that strives to promote quality education for all children worldwide.
Accreditation: The process by which a school or program is evaluated against a set of standards to ensure that it meets certain quality criteria.
ACE: Adverse Childhood Experiences. Adverse Childhood Experiences are traumas that can occur in childhood, such as abuse or neglect. These experiences can have a lasting effect on a child's health and well-being.
ACF: Administration for Children and Families. The Administration for Children and Families is a federal agency that works to promote the well-being of children and families in the United States.
ACK: American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages is a professional organization that promotes the teaching of languages in the United States.
ACL: Administrator Credential Level. There are three levels of credentials that administrators can earn in Early Childhood Education: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.
AEI: Association for the Education of Young Children. The Association for the Education of Young Children is a professional organization that works to promote high-quality early childhood education for all children.
APT: Assessment of Program Practices Tool. This tool that can be used to assess the quality of Early Childhood Education programs.
Approaches to Learning: This refers to the ways in which children learn. There are three main approaches to learning: cognitive, social, and emotional.
ASQ-SE: Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social-Emotional. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire is a tool that can be used to assess a child's social-emotional development.
ASQ-3: Ages and Stages Questionnaire 3rd Edition. The ASQ-3 is a tool that can be used to assess the developmental milestones of children from birth to 5 years old.
At Risk: This term is used to describe children who are more likely than others to experience difficulties in school or in life. Factors that can put a child at risk include poverty, abuse, and neglect.
B
BAS: Business Administration Scale. The Business Administration Scale is a tool that can be used to assess the quality of Early Childhood Education programs.
Best Practices: This refers to the methods and strategies that have been proven to be most effective in Early Childhood Education.
Blended Funding: This refers to the use of both public and private funds to support Early Childhood Education programs.
Braided Funding: This refers to the use of multiple funding sources to support Early Childhood Education programs.
C
CACFP: Child and Adult Care Food Program. The Child and Adult Care Food Program is a federal program that provides reimbursements for meals served to children in child care programs.
CAP: Child Abuse Prevention. Child Abuse Prevention is a type of program that works to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Career Ladder: A Career Ladder is a system that allows child care providers to advance in their careers by increasing their education and training.
CC: Creative Curriculum. A curriculum that is based on the principle that children learn best through play.
CCA: Child Care Association. The Child Care Association is a professional organization that works to promote quality child care.
CCAoA: Child Care Association of America. A professional organization that works to promote quality child care.
CCDBG: [Child Care and Development Block Grant](https://www.childcareaware.org/our-issues/public-policy/child-care-and-development-block-grant-ccdbg/ccdbg-overview/#:~:text=The Child Care and Development,families to access child care.). The Child Care and Development Block Grant is a federal grant that helps states improve the quality of child care and make it more affordable for families.
CCDF: Child Care and Development Fund. The Child Care and Development Fund is a federal program that provides financial assistance to families for child care.
CCHC: Child Care Health Consultants. Professionals who work to improve the health and safety of children in child care.
CCR&R: Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies help families find child care and provide resources to child care providers.
CD: Child Development. Child Development is the study of how children grow and develop.
CDA: Childcare Development Associate. A credential that can be earned by professionals working in Early Childhood Education.
CEU: Continuing Education Units. Credits that you can earn to maintain or improve your professional credentials.
CECD: Center for Early Childhood Development. The Center for Early Childhood Development is a research center that works to improve the quality of early childhood education.
CED: Council for Exceptional Children. The Council for Exceptional Children is a professional organization that works to promote the education of all children, including those with special needs.
Center-Based Child Care: This term refers to Early Childhood Education programs that are located in a central location, such as a school or child care center.
CFC: Child and Family Centers. Child and Continuing education refers to courses or programs that are taken to improve one's knowledge or skills.
CHELLO: Child Home Early Language and Literacy Observation. A research-based assessment tool that can be used to measure the language and literacy skills of young children.
CLASS: Classroom Assessment Scoring System. A tool that can be used to assess the quality of Early Childhood Education programs.
CNP: Child Nutrition Program. A federal program that provides funding for school lunch and breakfast programs.
CNS: Child Nutrition Services. A state agency that administers the Child Nutrition Program.
Continuity of Care: This term refers to the idea that children should have the same caregiver or teacher throughout their time in an Early Childhood Education program.
CPG: Career Pathways Grant. A federal grant that helps states create or improve career pathways for child care providers.
CWS: Child Welfare Services. A state agency that provides child welfare services, such as foster care and adoption.
D
DAP: Developmental Appropriate Practice. Developmentally Appropriate Practice is an approach to Early Childhood Education that emphasizes providing experiences and activities that are appropriate for the age and stage of development of the child.
DCF: Department of Children and Families. The agency in charge of child welfare services in some states.
DEECD: Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. The agency in charge of early childhood education in some states.
DCTC: Dependent Care Tax Credit. A tax credit that can be used by families to offset the cost of child care.
DEEC: Department of Early Education and Care. The state agency in Massachusetts that is responsible for Early Childhood Education.
E
ECAC: Early Childhood Advisory Council. A group of experts who advise the state on Early Childhood Education.
ECD: Early Childhood Development. Early Childhood Development is the study of how children grow and develop.
ECE: Early Childhood Education. Early Childhood Education is the care and education of children from birth to age eight.
ECERS: Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale. A tool that can be used to assess the quality of Early Childhood Education
ECSE: Early Childhood Special Education. Early Childhood Special Education is the education of young children with special needs, from birth to age 8.
EIS: Early Interventional Services. Services provided to young children with developmental delays or disabilities.
ELDS: Early Learning Development Standards. A set of standards that define what children should know and be able to do at each stage of development.
ELL: English Language Learner. A child who is learning English as a second language.
ESC: Educational Service Center. A regional office that provides support and services to schools in a specific area.
ESSA: Every Student Succeeds Act. The federal law that governs elementary and secondary education.
F
Family Parent Engagement: The process of involving families in their child's education and school activities.
FAPE: Free Appropriate Public Education. All children with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education.
FCC: Family Child Care. A type of child care that is provided in the provider's home.
FCCERS-R: Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised. A tool that can be used to assess the quality of Family Child Care
FCCLA: Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. A national organization for students in Family and Consumer Sciences education.
FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. A federal law that protects the privacy
FFN: Family, Friend, and Neighbor. A type of child care that is provided by someone the family knows, such as a relative or friend.
FSSA: Family and Social Services Administration. The state agency in Indiana that is responsible for Early Childhood Education.
G
GLR: Grade Level Reading. The percent of students in a grade who are reading at grade level.
Gross Motor Skills: A child's development of large muscle movement and control. Crawling, walking, jumping, etc.
H
HS/EHS: Head Start, Early Head Start. A federally funded program that provides Early Childhood Education, health, and social services to low-income children and families.
Home Visiting: A type of Early Intervention service in which a trained professional visits the child and family in their home to provide support and services.
I
IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The federal law that governs special education.
IACET: International Association for Continuing Education and Training. A professional organization that provides accreditation for continuing education programs.
IEP: Individualized Education Program. A plan that is created for each child.
IFSP: Individualized Family Service Plan. A plan that is created for each child with an Individual Family Service Plan.
K
KEA: Kindergarten Early Assessment. A screening that is given to all kindergarten students to assess their readiness for school.
L
LEA: Local Education Agency. The school district or charter school that a child attends.
Learning Disability: A disability that affects a child's ability to learn.
M
MIECHV: Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. A federally funded program that provides home visiting services to pregnant women and families with young children.
N
NAA: National Afterschool Association. A professional organization that provides resources and support for afterschool programs.
NACCA: National Child Care Association. A professional organization that provides resources and support for child care programs.
NAEYC: National Association for the Education of Young Children. A professional organization that provides accreditation for early childhood programs.
NCLB: No Child Left Behind. The federal law that was replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act.
O
OCC: Office of Child Care. The federal office that provides resources and support for child care providers.
OHS: Office of Head Start. The federal office that provides resources and support for Head Start programs.
OST: Out of School Time. The time when children are not in school, such as before and after school, weekends, and summer break.
OSEP: [Office of Special Education Programs](https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/index.html#:~:text=The Office of Special Education,assist states and local districts.). The federal office that provides resources and support for students with disabilities.
P
PARCC: Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers. A test that is given to students in 3rd-8th grade to assess their progress in meeting academic standards.
PD: Professional Development. Training that is provided to Early Childhood Educators to improve their skills.
PDG: Professional Development Grant. A grant that is provided to Early Childhood Educators to help them pay for professional development training.
PDO: Professional Development Opportunities. Training that is provided to Early Childhood Educators to improve their skills.
PDP: Professional Development Points. Points that are earned by Early Childhood Educators when they participate in professional development activities.
Protective Factors: Factors that reduce the risk of child maltreatment.
Q
QRIS: Quality Rating and Improvement System. A system that is used to rate the quality of early childhood programs.
R
RTT-ELC: Race to the Top- Early Learning Challenge. A federal grant program that provides funding to states to improve the quality of their early childhood programs.
Reimbursement Rates: The amount of money that a child care provider is reimbursed for each child they serve.
S
SAC: School-Age Care. Child care that is provided for school-age children.
SAU: School Administrative Unit. The school district that a child attends.
SIG: School Improvement Grants. A federal grant program that provides funding to schools to help them improve student achievement.
SLD: Specific Learning Disability. A disability that affects a child's ability to learn.
T
TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. A federal program that provides financial assistance to families in need.
TEACCH: Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication handicapped Children. A program that provides services to children with autism.
TIC: Trauma Informed Care. An approach to child care that takes into account the effects of trauma on children and families.
Title I: A federal program that provides funding to schools to improve the academic achievement of students from low-income families.
Title II: A federal program that provides funding to states to improve the quality of teaching in schools.
Transitional Child Care: Child care that is provided to families who are transitioning from welfare to work.
TQRIS: Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System. A system that is used to rate the quality of early childhood programs.
U
UPK: Universal Pre-Kindergarten. A program that provides free pre-kindergarten for all children.
USDE: U.S. Department of Education. The federal department that provides resources and support for education programs.
USDA: U.S. Department of Agriculture. The federal department that provides resources and support for child nutrition programs.
Here is a list of popular acronyms used in Early Childhood Education:
A
ACCI: Association for Childhood Education International. The Association for Childhood Education International is a professional organization that strives to promote quality education for all children worldwide.
Accreditation: The process by which a school or program is evaluated against a set of standards to ensure that it meets certain quality criteria.
ACE: Adverse Childhood Experiences. Adverse Childhood Experiences are traumas that can occur in childhood, such as abuse or neglect. These experiences can have a lasting effect on a child's health and well-being.
ACF: Administration for Children and Families. The Administration for Children and Families is a federal agency that works to promote the well-being of children and families in the United States.
ACK: American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages. The American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages is a professional organization that promotes the teaching of languages in the United States.
ACL: Administrator Credential Level. There are three levels of credentials that administrators can earn in Early Childhood Education: Level 1, Level 2, and Level 3.
AEI: Association for the Education of Young Children. The Association for the Education of Young Children is a professional organization that works to promote high-quality early childhood education for all children.
APT: Assessment of Program Practices Tool. This tool that can be used to assess the quality of Early Childhood Education programs.
Approaches to Learning: This refers to the ways in which children learn. There are three main approaches to learning: cognitive, social, and emotional.
ASQ-SE: Ages and Stages Questionnaire: Social-Emotional. The Ages and Stages Questionnaire is a tool that can be used to assess a child's social-emotional development.
ASQ-3: Ages and Stages Questionnaire 3rd Edition. The ASQ-3 is a tool that can be used to assess the developmental milestones of children from birth to 5 years old.
At Risk: This term is used to describe children who are more likely than others to experience difficulties in school or in life. Factors that can put a child at risk include poverty, abuse, and neglect.
B
BAS: Business Administration Scale. The Business Administration Scale is a tool that can be used to assess the quality of Early Childhood Education programs.
Best Practices: This refers to the methods and strategies that have been proven to be most effective in Early Childhood Education.
Blended Funding: This refers to the use of both public and private funds to support Early Childhood Education programs.
Braided Funding: This refers to the use of multiple funding sources to support Early Childhood Education programs.
C
CACFP: Child and Adult Care Food Program. The Child and Adult Care Food Program is a federal program that provides reimbursements for meals served to children in child care programs.
CAP: Child Abuse Prevention. Child Abuse Prevention is a type of program that works to prevent child abuse and neglect.
Career Ladder: A Career Ladder is a system that allows child care providers to advance in their careers by increasing their education and training.
CC: Creative Curriculum. A curriculum that is based on the principle that children learn best through play.
CCA: Child Care Association. The Child Care Association is a professional organization that works to promote quality child care.
CCAoA: Child Care Association of America. A professional organization that works to promote quality child care.
CCDBG: [Child Care and Development Block Grant](https://www.childcareaware.org/our-issues/public-policy/child-care-and-development-block-grant-ccdbg/ccdbg-overview/#:~:text=The Child Care and Development,families to access child care.). The Child Care and Development Block Grant is a federal grant that helps states improve the quality of child care and make it more affordable for families.
CCDF: Child Care and Development Fund. The Child Care and Development Fund is a federal program that provides financial assistance to families for child care.
CCHC: Child Care Health Consultants. Professionals who work to improve the health and safety of children in child care.
CCR&R: Child Care Resource and Referral Agencies help families find child care and provide resources to child care providers.
CD: Child Development. Child Development is the study of how children grow and develop.
CDA: Childcare Development Associate. A credential that can be earned by professionals working in Early Childhood Education.
CEU: Continuing Education Units. Credits that you can earn to maintain or improve your professional credentials.
CECD: Center for Early Childhood Development. The Center for Early Childhood Development is a research center that works to improve the quality of early childhood education.
CED: Council for Exceptional Children. The Council for Exceptional Children is a professional organization that works to promote the education of all children, including those with special needs.
Center-Based Child Care: This term refers to Early Childhood Education programs that are located in a central location, such as a school or child care center.
CFC: Child and Family Centers. Child and Continuing education refers to courses or programs that are taken to improve one's knowledge or skills.
CHELLO: Child Home Early Language and Literacy Observation. A research-based assessment tool that can be used to measure the language and literacy skills of young children.
CLASS: Classroom Assessment Scoring System. A tool that can be used to assess the quality of Early Childhood Education programs.
CNP: Child Nutrition Program. A federal program that provides funding for school lunch and breakfast programs.
CNS: Child Nutrition Services. A state agency that administers the Child Nutrition Program.
Continuity of Care: This term refers to the idea that children should have the same caregiver or teacher throughout their time in an Early Childhood Education program.
CPG: Career Pathways Grant. A federal grant that helps states create or improve career pathways for child care providers.
CWS: Child Welfare Services. A state agency that provides child welfare services, such as foster care and adoption.
D
DAP: Developmental Appropriate Practice. Developmentally Appropriate Practice is an approach to Early Childhood Education that emphasizes providing experiences and activities that are appropriate for the age and stage of development of the child.
DCF: Department of Children and Families. The agency in charge of child welfare services in some states.
DEECD: Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. The agency in charge of early childhood education in some states.
DCTC: Dependent Care Tax Credit. A tax credit that can be used by families to offset the cost of child care.
DEEC: Department of Early Education and Care. The state agency in Massachusetts that is responsible for Early Childhood Education.
E
ECAC: Early Childhood Advisory Council. A group of experts who advise the state on Early Childhood Education.
ECD: Early Childhood Development. Early Childhood Development is the study of how children grow and develop.
ECE: Early Childhood Education. Early Childhood Education is the care and education of children from birth to age eight.
ECERS: Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale. A tool that can be used to assess the quality of Early Childhood Education
ECSE: Early Childhood Special Education. Early Childhood Special Education is the education of young children with special needs, from birth to age 8.
EIS: Early Interventional Services. Services provided to young children with developmental delays or disabilities.
ELDS: Early Learning Development Standards. A set of standards that define what children should know and be able to do at each stage of development.
ELL: English Language Learner. A child who is learning English as a second language.
ESC: Educational Service Center. A regional office that provides support and services to schools in a specific area.
ESSA: Every Student Succeeds Act. The federal law that governs elementary and secondary education.
F
Family Parent Engagement: The process of involving families in their child's education and school activities.
FAPE: Free Appropriate Public Education. All children with disabilities are entitled to a free appropriate public education.
FCC: Family Child Care. A type of child care that is provided in the provider's home.
FCCERS-R: Family Child Care Environment Rating Scale-Revised. A tool that can be used to assess the quality of Family Child Care
FCCLA: Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. A national organization for students in Family and Consumer Sciences education.
FERPA: Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act. A federal law that protects the privacy
FFN: Family, Friend, and Neighbor. A type of child care that is provided by someone the family knows, such as a relative or friend.
FSSA: Family and Social Services Administration. The state agency in Indiana that is responsible for Early Childhood Education.
G
GLR: Grade Level Reading. The percent of students in a grade who are reading at grade level.
Gross Motor Skills: A child's development of large muscle movement and control. Crawling, walking, jumping, etc.
H
HS/EHS: Head Start, Early Head Start. A federally funded program that provides Early Childhood Education, health, and social services to low-income children and families.
Home Visiting: A type of Early Intervention service in which a trained professional visits the child and family in their home to provide support and services.
I
IDEA: Individuals with Disabilities Education Act. The federal law that governs special education.
IACET: International Association for Continuing Education and Training. A professional organization that provides accreditation for continuing education programs.
IEP: Individualized Education Program. A plan that is created for each child.
IFSP: Individualized Family Service Plan. A plan that is created for each child with an Individual Family Service Plan.
K
KEA: Kindergarten Early Assessment. A screening that is given to all kindergarten students to assess their readiness for school.
L
LEA: Local Education Agency. The school district or charter school that a child attends.
Learning Disability: A disability that affects a child's ability to learn.
M
MIECHV: Maternal, Infant, and Early Childhood Home Visiting Program. A federally funded program that provides home visiting services to pregnant women and families with young children.
N
NAA: National Afterschool Association. A professional organization that provides resources and support for afterschool programs.
NACCA: National Child Care Association. A professional organization that provides resources and support for child care programs.
NAEYC: National Association for the Education of Young Children. A professional organization that provides accreditation for early childhood programs.
NCLB: No Child Left Behind. The federal law that was replaced by the Every Student Succeeds Act.
O
OCC: Office of Child Care. The federal office that provides resources and support for child care providers.
OHS: Office of Head Start. The federal office that provides resources and support for Head Start programs.
OST: Out of School Time. The time when children are not in school, such as before and after school, weekends, and summer break.
OSEP: [Office of Special Education Programs](https://www2.ed.gov/about/offices/list/osers/osep/index.html#:~:text=The Office of Special Education,assist states and local districts.). The federal office that provides resources and support for students with disabilities.
P
PARCC: Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers. A test that is given to students in 3rd-8th grade to assess their progress in meeting academic standards.
PD: Professional Development. Training that is provided to Early Childhood Educators to improve their skills.
PDG: Professional Development Grant. A grant that is provided to Early Childhood Educators to help them pay for professional development training.
PDO: Professional Development Opportunities. Training that is provided to Early Childhood Educators to improve their skills.
PDP: Professional Development Points. Points that are earned by Early Childhood Educators when they participate in professional development activities.
Protective Factors: Factors that reduce the risk of child maltreatment.
Q
QRIS: Quality Rating and Improvement System. A system that is used to rate the quality of early childhood programs.
R
RTT-ELC: Race to the Top- Early Learning Challenge. A federal grant program that provides funding to states to improve the quality of their early childhood programs.
Reimbursement Rates: The amount of money that a child care provider is reimbursed for each child they serve.
S
SAC: School-Age Care. Child care that is provided for school-age children.
SAU: School Administrative Unit. The school district that a child attends.
SIG: School Improvement Grants. A federal grant program that provides funding to schools to help them improve student achievement.
SLD: Specific Learning Disability. A disability that affects a child's ability to learn.
T
TANF: Temporary Assistance for Needy Families. A federal program that provides financial assistance to families in need.
TEACCH: Treatment and Education of Autistic and related Communication handicapped Children. A program that provides services to children with autism.
TIC: Trauma Informed Care. An approach to child care that takes into account the effects of trauma on children and families.
Title I: A federal program that provides funding to schools to improve the academic achievement of students from low-income families.
Title II: A federal program that provides funding to states to improve the quality of teaching in schools.
Transitional Child Care: Child care that is provided to families who are transitioning from welfare to work.
TQRIS: Tiered Quality Rating and Improvement System. A system that is used to rate the quality of early childhood programs.
U
UPK: Universal Pre-Kindergarten. A program that provides free pre-kindergarten for all children.
USDE: U.S. Department of Education. The federal department that provides resources and support for education programs.
USDA: U.S. Department of Agriculture. The federal department that provides resources and support for child nutrition programs.
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© 2024 Carline Inc. All rights reserved.
A Comprehensive List of Common Early Childhood Education Acronyms
Published Nov 15, 2022
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