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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 

 

2025 NC Child Care Commission Approved Formative Assessments

It is recommended that NC Pre-Kindergarten programs use the GOLD formative assessment in order to most easily participate in the transition to kindergarten project providing child development data to kindergarten teachers; however, programs may use any formative assessment tool that has been approved by the NC Child Care Commission. All NC Pre-K teachers are required to document child growth and development data from the Spring/Final Checkpoint in the MyTeachingStrategies® platform regardless of which formative assessment tool is selected.

The below list is the approved list of formative assessments for birth to four-year-old classrooms.

 

Balanced Assessment Evidence of Learning Portfolio

Primrose Schools® Franchising Company, 2025

https://www.primroseschools.com/

Approved for use in Primrose Schools® with the stipulation that it is used with the Balanced Learning® curriculum and that teachers must use the formative assessment to inform planning.

 

Cognitive Toybox

Cognitive Toolbox, Inc.®, 2021

www.cognitivetoybox.com

Approved with the stipulation that only observation-based tools are used with children under three- years-old.

 

COR Advantage

High Scope Educational Research Foundation, 2014

https://www.Highscope.org

 

Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)

California Department of Education, 2015

https://www.desiredresults.us/

 

ELA Assessment

Early Learning Academies (ELA), 2025

https://earlylearningacademies.com/our-brands/

Approved for use in Early Learning Academies early childhood programs. See brands on linked site.

 

 Experience Early Learning Authentic Assessment

 Early Learning™, Published annually

 mothergoosetime.com

 Approved for use with Experience Early Learning™ curriculum.

 

Galileo Pre-K Online

Assessment Technology, Inc., 2012-2017

Ati-online.com

 

GOLD

Teaching Strategies, Inc. 2010-2011

TeachingStrategies.com

 

Learn As We Grow™ Assessment

 Learning Care Group https://www.learningcaregroup.com/

  Approved with the stipulation that it is used with Learn As We Grow™ curricula in Learning Care Group early childhood education programs.

 

Meaningful Assessment and Planning Process (MAPP)

Bright Horizons, 2021

https://www.brighthorizons.com/

Approved for use with the World At Their Fingertips curriculum in Bright Horizons early childhood programs.

 

Mother Goose Time Formative Assessment 

Experience Early Learning™, Published annually

mothergoosetime.com

Approved for use with Mother Goose Time curriculum.

 

Preschool Child Observation Record (COR), 2d Edition

HighScope Press, 2003

 

The Creative Curriculum® Developmental Continuum for Ages 3-5

Teaching Strategies, Inc., 2001

 

The InvestiGator Club® Just for Threes Assessment and Intervention System

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

www.investigatorclub.com/

Approved for use with The Investigator Club Just for Threes Learning System.

 

The InvestiGator Club® Pre-Kindergarten Assessment and Intervention System, NC Edition

Robert-Leslie Publishing, The Early Childhood Company®, 2012-2017 and 2022

www.investigatorclub.com/

Approved for use with The Investigator Club® Prekindergarten Learning System, NC Edition.

 

Work Sampling System® Preschool - 4, 4th Edition

Pearson, 2001

 

Work Sampling System®, 5th Edition Pearson, Inc., 2013

pearsonclinical.com

Approved with the stipulation that programs purchase the P-3 and P-4 Combined Classroom Kit.

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

Updated on Novemeber 5, 2025

 

 

 

 

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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