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NC Child Care Commission 2025 Approved Early Childhood Curriculum

PRESCHOOL CURRICULUM (Three to Five)

Balanced Learning® 3-4

Primrose School Franchising, SPE, LLC, 2025

primroseschools.com/

Approved for use in Primrose Schools with the stipulation teachers must use the formative assessment to inform planning.

 

Balanced Learning® Pre-Kindergarten

Primrose School Franchising, SPE, LLC, 2025

primroseschools.com/

Approved for use in Primrose Schools with the stipulation teachers must use the formative assessment to inform planning.

 

Connect4Learning, 2nd Edition 4s

Kaplan Early Learning Company, 2020

Kaplanco.com

 

Curiosity Corner, 2nd Edition

Success for All Foundation, 2014, 2020

Successforall.org

 

Early Foundations

Knowledge Universe Education LLC, 2013

kc-learning.com/about-us/education-approach

Approved for use in Kindercare early childhood programs.

 

Early Innovator 3-5

Learning Care Group, Inc., 2016

LaPetite.com

Approved for use in La Petite early childhood programs.

 

   Early Learning Matters, 2nd Edition 3-5

   Purdue University, 2018

   https://elmcurriculum.org/

   Approved for use with the stipulation that it is used with the Virtual Learning School.

 

   ELA Engage 3-5

   Early Learning Academies (ELA), 2025 https://earlylearningacademies.com/our-brands/

   Approved for use in ELA early childhood programs. See brands on linked site.

 

   Empowered Child 3-5

   Learning Care Group, 2016

   learningcaregroup.com

   Approved for use in Child Time early childhood programs.

 

  Explorer 21 3-5

  Learning Care Group, 2016

  learningcaregroup.com

  Approved for use in Everbrook Academy early childhood programs.

 

  Experience Preschool Curriculum 

  Experience Early Learning™, Published annually

  Mothergoosetime.com/

 

  Frog Street Pre-K

  Frog Street Press, Inc., 2020 Frogstreet.com/

Approved with the stipulation formative assessment is used to inform planning; limit to two of the three small group opportunities; and centers are child choice rather than    by rotation.

 

  FunnyDaffer 3-5

  Funnydaffer, 2020

  funnydaffer.com

 

  Galileo Pre-K Online

  Assessment Technology, Inc., 2016

  Ati-online.com 

 

  High Reach Learning Curriculum for Threes

  Communicorp, Inc., 2010

  childcarenetwork.com/curriculum

  Approved for use in Childcare Network early childhood programs.

 

  High Reach Learning Pre-K

  Communicorp, Inc., 2016

  childcarenetwork.com/curriculum

  Approved for use in Child Care Network early childhood programs.

 

High/Scope Preschool Curriculum

High/Scope Press, 2002-2016

Highscope.org

 

Kids ‘R’ Kids First Class Curriculum®, Fast Track for Preschool

Kids ‘R’ Kids International, Inc., 2016

kidsrkids.com/

Approved for use in Kids ‘R’ Kids early childhood programs.

 

L.E.A.P. ®, Learning Experience Academic Programs®

The Learning Experience®, 2007-present

thelearningexperience.com/

Approved for use in four-year-old classrooms of The Learning Experience early childhood programs.

 

Learn As We Grow

Learning Care Group, 2025 https://www.learningcaregroup.com/brands/

Approved for use in Learning Care Group early childhood programs.

 

Learn Everyday®: The Preschool Curriculum

Kaplan Early Learning Company, 2012, 2019 2d Edition

Kaplanco.com

 

Life Essentials: I Can Do It 3’s

Essential Brands, Inc., 2016

kiddieacademy.com/academies/programs/preschool/

Approved for use in Kiddie Academy early childhood programs.

 

Life Essentials: Ready, Set, Go 4’s

Essential Brands, Inc., 2015

kiddieacademy.com/academies/programs/preschool/

Approved for use in Kiddie Academy early childhood programs with the stipulation that programs not implement the letter of the week and teach literacy and math in the context of play and children’s everyday experiences.

 

Life Smart 3-5

Learning Care Group, 2016

learningcaregroup.com

Approved for use in Tutor Time early childhood programs. 

 

Lillio Learning™ for Preschool Classrooms

Lillio, Published monthly

www.FunShineExpress.com

Approved for use with the stipulation that teacher-led art activities are optional for children. 

 

Lillio Learning ™ Powered by FunShine Digital for 3-5 years

Lillio, Monthly www.FunShineExpress.com

Approved for use with the stipulation that teacher-led art activities are optional for children.

 

Mother Goose Time Preschool Curriculum

Experience Early Learning™, Published annually

Mothergoosetime.com/

 

Nest Play Curriculum 3-5

The Nest, 2021-2025

https://thenestschool.com/curriculum/

Approved for use in The Nest early childhood programs.

 

Playworks

Preschool LeafSpring Schools, 2019

LeafSpringSchool.com

Approved for use in LeafSpring Schools with the stipulation to use approved curriculum only as supplemental supports.

 

Pre-K On My Way™ 4s

Scholastic Inc., 2021

teacher.scholastic.com/education/pre-k-on-my-way/index.html

Approved for use in four-year-old classrooms, limit to two of the three small group opportunities and no center rotations.

 

Seedlings Early Childhood Education Curriculum

Lightbridge Academy, 2025

www.lightbridgeacademy.com

Approved for use in Lightbridge Academy early childhood programs with the stipulation that only approved curriculum be used for preschool Writing Workshop activities.

 

Starfall 4s

Starfall Education Foundation, 2013

store.starfall.com/learn-more-prek-curriculum

 

The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool, 4th Edition

Teaching Strategies, Inc., 2002

 

  The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool, 5th Edition

  Teaching Strategies, Inc., 2010

 

The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool, 6th Edition

Teaching Strategies, Inc. 2016

teachingstrategies.com

 

The Creative Curriculum® for Preschool, Guided Edition

Teaching Strategies, Inc. 2020

teachingstrategies.com

 

   The Creative Curriculum for Pre-K

   Teaching Startegies, Inc., 2024

   teachingstrategies.com

 

The InvestiGator Club® Just for Threes Learning System

Robert-Leslie Publishing, The Early Childhood Company®, 2022

Investigatorclub.com/

 

The Investigator Club® Prekindergarten Learning System,

NC Edition Robert-Leslie Publishing, The Early Childhood Company®, 2017

Investigatorclub.com/

 

Tools of the Mind, 7th Edition, 8.2 Edition

Metropolitan State College of Denver, 2024

Toolsofthemind.org

 

Wonder of Learning™

Goddard Systems, LLC., 2025

https://www.goddardschool.com/wonder-of-learning

Approved for use in Goddard Schools.

 

World At Their Fingertips® 3-5

Bright Horizons®, LLC, 2021

brighthorizons.com/early-education-preschool/proven-approach

Approved for use in Bright Horizons® early childhood programs.

 

Young Achievers

The Children’s Courtyard®, 2016

childrenscourtyard.com/educational-programs/curriculum/preschool/

Approved for use in The Children’s Courtyard® early childhood programs.

 

Updated November 21, 2025

This list does not constitute an endorsement of any program using an approved curriculum.

 

 

 

The Division of Child Development and Early Education has moved! 

October 1, 2025 is first day at 1915 Health Services Way Raleigh NC 27607

Mailing Address is still 2201 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-2200

The GPS address for new location is: 3905 Reedy Creek Rd, Raleigh NC.  https://maps.app.goo.gl/xV52DozexbvFtMrQ6 

 

 

 

2201 Mail Service Center | Raleigh, NC 27699-2200
919-814-6300 | 1-800-859-0829 (In State Only)
[email protected]

 


North Carolina Depertment of Health and Human Services
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