Office of Early Childhood

Professional Development

Arkansas Birth through Prekindergarten Teaching Credential

This credential creates an additional professional pathway for individuals seeking a more advanced level of knowledge and skills in working with young children and their families.

Arkansas Child Development and Early Learning Standards: Birth through 60 Months

Educational guidelines and benchmarks for infants and toddlers that provide common expectations for what children typically know, understand, and can do. The standards are research-based; culturally and linguistically appropriate; comprehensive; and are written with the understanding that children reach developmental milestones at different times. The standards are to be used to assist in developing age-appropriate learning goals for children, to support developmentally appropriate curriculum and assessment, and to outline a progression of development and learning that supports success in school and in life.

Arkansas Children’s Week (ACW)

ACW is an annual event that helps to develop and promote child-friendly activities. Arkansas Children’s Week is April 15-23, 2023. The toolkit below contains information to help you plan your own activities for ACW. 

ACW 2023 Toolkit

Arkansas Professional Development Registry

Through the Arkansas Professional Development Registry (PDR), individuals can register for professional development opportunities and obtain resources to enhance their knowledge and skills.

AR Resource Connections

AR Resource Connections is a one-stop location for early childhood designed to save providers time, reduce costs, and improve quality! Over 2,500 resources are offered on the website. Providers can access innovative and practical tools, handbooks, policies, and guidance on topics such as budgeting, best practices, human resources, emergency preparedness, and much more.

Infant and Toddler Certificate

The Infant Toddler Certificate provides a route to higher education for the preparation of all infant and toddler teachers. Upon completion, one can expect to build their professional competencies in supporting a child’s social-emotional, cognitive, language, and literacy development.