Latest UpdatesPosted on October 27, 2025
The Strong Start Index standardizes and summarizes the conditions into which children are born. Comprising twelve indicators that are universally measured, the California Strong Start Index can be used to better, more holistically characterize children across (and within) California communities, providing a tool that can help First 5s and …
Posted on October 27, 2025
This page on the California Department of Social Services (CDSS) website provides an index of child care and development quality initiatives, projects, programs and resources to support the early learning and care workforce and the early learning community.
Posted on October 27, 2025
This policy brief published in April 2025 uses data from the 2019–2023 California Health Interview Surveys to describe the child care experiences of households with young children ages 0–5.
Posted on August 14, 2025
The California Department of Social Services is pleased to announce the seventh convening of the Equity-Centered QRIS Advisory Panel. The seventh Panel meeting will be September 25, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom. All meetings are open to the public so that community members can participate […]
Posted on January 23, 2025
The California Department of Social Services, Child Care and Development Division, is excited to announce the upcoming Beginning Together Institute for Inclusion Facilitators beginning in March 2025. This Institute will host Training-of-Trainers virtual sessions offered as a combination of synchronous and asynchronous activities on Thursday …
Posted on August 5, 2024
The Early Learning and Care Trainer Reflection Tool outlines evidence-based practices grounded in research on equitable approaches to adult learning, professional ethics, and trainer competencies. It complements and expands on information in California Early Childhood Educator Competencies—Supplemental Performance Area: Adult Learning and …
Posted on July 4, 2023
Please spread the word and share these series of learning experiences with your colleagues. In January 2023, California Health and Human Services Agency (CalHHS) and California Department of Social Services (CDSS), in partnership with WestEd, announced the launch of a comprehensive suite of 12 new series of online professional development …
Posted on May 10, 2019
The California Early Learning Video streaming is a free online service where users can access California’s early education videos on one simple platform. Go to California Early Learning Videos to learn more.