Resources

In Louisiana, early childhood providers are able to choose instructional materials that are best for their children and families. The Louisiana Department of Education (LDOE) supports choosing curricula appropriate for children aged birth to five that are grounded in helping teachers provide quality interactions and instruction.

To improve kindergarten readiness, the Louisiana Department of Education is supporting Type III and Family Child
Care providers that opt into Academic Approval by reimbursing a portion of the cost for Tier I Early Childhood
Curriculum.
View Guidance Here

Early Learning and Development Standards are state-developed guidelines that outline what young children should know and be able to do from birth to age 5 (before kindergarten). They’re used by early childhood educators, caregivers, and parents to support and assess children’s development across multiple learning domains.

2025 Early Learning Development Standards (ELDS)

2025 Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS) (Standards Only)

Teaching Strategies GOLD® Official Website

SmartTeach Login Portal

SmartTeach Support Portal

GOLD Ready-Set-Go! videos

GOLD Getting Started Checklist for New Teachers

GOLD Getting Started Checklist for Returning Teachers

Completing the Interrater Reliability Certification Experience in Quorum

Managing Classes in SmartTeach

This guide covers the ability for teachers to add and edit classes in SmartTeach.

Managing Child Records in SmartTeach

This guide details how primary teachers and co-teachers can add and manage children in their class in SmartTeach.

Blank Home Language Survey (English

This article includes blank Home Language Surveys.

Using the At a Glance Dashboard

This guide details the assessment At-a-Glance dashboard, available to teachers using GOLD.

Adding Documentation in SmartTeach

This How-To article details the Add Documentation feature, available to teachers and team members subscribed to GOLD.

Viewing Documentation

This guide details the View Documentation feature, available to teachers and team members subscribed to GOLD®.

Using Digital Forms

This guide covers the Alphabet Knowledge, Number Concepts, and Shapes Forms, available to teachers using GOLD.

Teachers using GOLD can download or print the forms listed below to help collect evidence of children’s development and learning:

Shapes

Alphabet Knowledge

Number Concepts

Documentation Collection Best Practices

Teachers can use the guidance in this document to develop an effective strategy for collecting and adding GOLD documentation. While there are multiple methods teachers can use to collect documentation, we do recommend that documentation be collected and added to SmartTeach on a daily basis.

Entering and Finalizing Checkpoints

This guide details the Checkpoints feature, available to teachers subscribed to GOLD.

Locating Checkpoint Due Dates

Each program or agency determines their own GOLD checkpoint due dates, or follows the GOLD default checkpoint due dates. You can locate these dates in SmartTeach so that you know when you are required to have your checkpoint ratings completed and finalized.

Best Practices in Selecting and Finalizing Checkpoints

As you select and finalize checkpoint ratings in GOLD® with MyTeachingStrategies®, refer to the guidance below to complete this important process with confidence and ease.

Managing Family Members in SmartTeach

This How To article details how teachers subscribed to GOLD and/or The Creative Curriculum Cloud can use the Manage Family Members page to invite family members to use the Teaching Strategies Family App.

Sharing Development and Learning Activites with Families

This How-To guide covers Shareable Resources feature in the Engage area, available to teachers using GOLD or The Creative Curriculum Cloud.

Blank Family Conference Form (English

Class Profile Report

This report provides insight into where children in their class fall compared to widely held expectations for their age or class/grade and can be a valuable tool for lesson planning. The report has an updated look and feel that makes it more efficient and user-friendly for teachers.

Individual Child Report

The Individual Child Report compares checkpoint ratings or preliminary levels for an individual child with widely held expectations for the child’s age or class/grade, during a particular checkpoint period or during multiple checkpoint periods.

Development and Learning Report

This report provides insight into a child’s current performance compared to widely held expectations and their next level of development and is ideal for sharing with connected family members.

Snapshot Report

The Snapshot Report displays child outcomes data in two ways: by areas of development and learning, and by objective/dimension. Teachers commonly use the Snapshot Report to review how their class is performing overall compared to widely held expectations for the class’s age range.

Child Care Association of Louisiana (CCAL)
CCAL is a statewide nonprofit organization dedicated to advocating for and supporting early childhood education professionals across Louisiana. Representing over 3,000 child care providers—including licensed centers, family day homes, and early educators—CCAL offers a range of services to enhance the quality and sustainability of child care in the state.​
CCAL Website

Louisiana Association for the Education of Young Children (LAAEYC)
State affiliate of NAEYC offering training and advocacy
LAAEYC Website

Louisiana Early Childhood Association (LAECA)
A professional membership organization affiliated with NAEYC, LAECA provides networking, advocacy, and professional development opportunities for early childhood educators in Louisiana.
Lousiana Early Childhood Association

Louisiana Policy Institute for Children (LPIC)
LPIC is a nonpartisan nonprofit focused on data-driven advocacy for policies that improve outcomes for young children across Louisiana.
Louisiana Policy Institute for Children Website

Child Care Aware of America
Child Care Aware of America works to ensure that all families have access to affordable, high-quality child care. They also support child care providers through resources, advocacy, and research.
Child Care Aware of America Website

Council for Professional Recognition
The Council administers the Child Development Associate (CDA) Credential™, supporting early childhood educators in advancing their careers and promoting quality care and education.
Council for Professional Recognition Website

Division for Early Childhood (DEC) of the Council for Exceptional Children
DEC supports professionals and families working with young children (birth to age 8) who have or are at risk for developmental delays and disabilities.
Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children Website

Erikson Institute
Erikson is a graduate school and think tank that provides training, research, and policy work to improve services and education for young children and their families.
Erikson Institute Website

First Five Years Fund (FFYF)
FFYF works to ensure that all children from birth through age five have access to high-quality early childhood education by influencing federal policy and investment.
First Five Years Fund Website

National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
Offers professional development, research-based practices, and advocacy for early childhood education.
NAEYC Website

National Association for Family Child Care (NAFCC)
NAFCC is dedicated to promoting high-quality early care and education in family child care homes by offering accreditation, advocacy, and support for providers.
National Association for Family Child Care Website

National Head Start Association (NHSA)
NHSA is the voice for Head Start programs across the U.S., advocating for comprehensive early childhood education, health, and parent engagement services for low-income families.
National Head Start Association Website

National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER)
NIEER conducts and communicates research to support high-quality, effective early childhood education policies and practices.
National Institute for Early Education Research (NIEER)Website

Zero to Three
Resources for early childhood educators focusing on infants and toddlers, including child development articles and policy.
Zero to Three Website