• Early childhood education: Generic term used to describe the field of early care and education of children birth to age 8. Many early childhood programs, however, also provide care for school-age children through age 12 during their out-of-school time.
• Early childhood education professional development: A continuum of learning and support activities designed to prepare individuals for work with and on behalf of young children and their families, as well as ongoing experiences to enhance this work. Professional development encompasses education, training, and technical assistance. See also Early Childhood Education Professional Development: Training and Technical Assistance Glossary.
• Early childhood education workforce: Those working with young children (infants, toddlers, preschoolers, and school-age children) in centers, homes, and schools and their families or on their behalf (in agencies, organizations, institutions of higher education, etc.), with a primary mission of supporting children’s development and learning. See also Early Childhood Education Professional Development: Training and Technical Assistance Glossary
• Early Head Start: Early Head Start began in 1995 to address the needs of younger children and their families. Early Head Start extends the philosophy and services of Head Start to children birth to age three and pregnant women. These young children are served both in center-based programs and in family child care homes, as well as through the home visitor program.
• ECERS: Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale
• ELS: Early Learning Standards
• ERS: Environment Rating Scale
• Evaluation: A description and judgment of a specific domain of knowledge or behavior drawn from more than one source of information.