Policy Handbooks
Our policy handbooks provide operational guidance and requirements to support early childhood programs in delivering high-quality services. They address key areas including health and safety, staffing, facilities and materials, program operations, and other requirements specific to each program setting.
For questions about the guidance provided, please contact EarlyChildhoodPolicy@schools.nyc.gov.
- Birth-to-Five Policy Handbook for New York City Early Education Centers (NYCEECs)
- 3-K for All & Pre-K for All Handbook for District Schools and Pre-K Centers
- Family Child Care Network (FCCN) Handbook
- Family Child Care Affiliated Provider Program Guide
EFQ Supporting Resources
The Early Childhood Framework for Quality (EFQ) outlines the principles and practices that guide high-quality early childhood education across NYCPS programs and settings. These resources support programs in understanding and using the EFQ to strengthen practice and promote consistent expectations for quality.
For questions or additional support, please contact your DECE support team.
Statement on Positive Behavior Guidance
Early childhood programs play an important role in supporting children’s social-emotional development and creating environments where all children feel safe, supported, and included. Programs should use developmentally appropriate, strengths-based approaches to understand and respond to children’s behavior, in partnership with families.
The Statement on Positive Behavior Guidance provides expectations and guidance for supporting children's behavior, including requirements related to exclusionary practices. Children in NYCPS-affiliated early childhood programs may not be expelled, suspended, or have their schedules shortened or otherwise reduced because of their behavior.
Administration & Finance
These resources support early childhood programs with key administrative and financial processes, including enrollment and attendance, budgets, contracts, invoicing, personnel documentation, and other operational requirements.
- Pre-KIDS User Manual
- Vendor Management Site Permissions
- Program Operations Website
- Enrollment and attendance
- Financial audits
- Program budgets
- Contracts
- Invoices
- Furniture & Materials Inventory Log
- Short Break: Parent/Guardian Notification & Consent Form
- Supporting Resources for the Web Enrollment System (WES)
- Article 47 (Preschool) Personnel File Cover Sheets
- Article 47 (Infant/Toddler) Personnel File Cover Sheets
- Article 43 Personnel File Cover Sheets
- GFDC Personnel File Cover Sheets
- Template Employee Handbook
Health & Safety
Maintaining safe and healthy environments is a core responsibility of all early childhood programs. The resources below support programs in meeting health and safety requirements, preparing for emergencies, documenting incidents, and communicating with families.
Programs permitted under New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Articles 43 and 47 should review the NYC DOHMH website for additional information and resources.
Programs permitted under New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH) Articles 43 and 47 should also review the NYC DOHMH website for applicable health and safety requirements and additional resources.