Short answer: There are no official Common Core standards for preschool. The Common Core State Standards Initiative describes the standards as English language arts and mathematics goals for kindergarten through 12th grade, so preschool teachers use kindergarten expectations and their state’s early learning standards to prepare children for school.
As children approach school age, it is vital for their teachers and caregivers to have a plan in place for their academic success. Preschool is a key milestone in this journey, serving as the final step before kindergarten. This places preschool teachers in a unique position to develop curricula that help children transition smoothly and confidently.
To achieve this, more teachers are incorporating preschool Common Core standards into their lesson plans. This article explains what these standards are, why they were created, and how you can use them to build a strong educational foundation for the children in your care.
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What are Common Core standards?
Common Core State Standards are a consistent set of learning goals in mathematics and language arts for each grade level from kindergarten through 12th grade. They outline the essential knowledge and skills students need to graduate from high school prepared for college or the workforce. By setting clear benchmarks for each grade, the standards ensure that children across different schools and states are learning at a similar pace.
Kindergarten Readiness Checklist
Use this free checklist to assess a child’s progress, identify strengths, and promote growth.
Are there Common Core standards for preschool?
No. The Common Core State Standards start in kindergarten, so preschool has no official Common Core. Preschool programs instead combine each state’s early learning standards with kindergarten expectations to plan what children should be ready to do by the time they enter school. The table below shows how the three main sets of standards differ.
| Standards | Who sets them | What they cover | Ages or grades |
|---|---|---|---|
| Common Core State Standards | State leaders working through the National Governors Association and the Council of Chief State School Officers; states adopt them voluntarily | English language arts and mathematics | Kindergarten through 12th grade |
| State early learning standards | Each state | Developmental and learning goals for young children, set by the state | Early childhood, before kindergarten (varies by state) |
| Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework | Office of Head Start, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services | Five central domains: Approaches to Learning; Social and Emotional Development; Language and Literacy; Cognition; and Perceptual, Motor, and Physical Development | Birth to age five |
Sources: Common Core State Standards Initiative and Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework.
Why were the Common Core standards created?
The Common Core Standards were created to establish a consistent and high-quality educational framework across the United States. Before their introduction, each state set its own educational standards independently. This resulted in wide variations in curriculum quality and learning expectations.
Even with federal mandates like the No Child Left Behind Act, proficiency standards differed significantly between states. This meant that children in the same grade were not always guaranteed the same access to knowledge. In response, educational stakeholders like the Council of Chief State School Officers (CCSSO) and the National Governors Association developed the Common Core to set appropriate, consistent standards that states could adopt to improve student outcomes.
How are children evaluated on the Common Core?
Students in kindergarten through 12th grade are evaluated on their mastery of the Common Core Standards through standardized tests, so preschoolers are not tested on them. States choose their own assessments. While a majority of states have developed their own unique tests, others have adopted assessments from multi-state consortiums like the Smarter Balanced Assessment Consortium (SBAC) or the Partnership for Assessment of Readiness for College and Careers (PARCC).
Why do preschool Common Core standards matter?
Applying the principles of Common Core to preschool is important because it creates consistency and raises the bar for early childhood education. This ensures that children are learning at a rate that sets them up for future success.
Key benefits include:
- Building a strong foundation: Prepares children for the academic expectations of kindergarten.
- Ensuring consistency: Helps ensure children who move between states are not significantly ahead or behind their new classmates.
- Boosting confidence: Allows children to transition into kindergarten more seamlessly and confidently, which supports their entire academic career.
How do you implement preschool Common Core standards?
Although there are no official Common Core standards specifically for preschool, educators can take several steps to prepare children for the kindergarten standards in their state.
| Step | What to do | Helpful resource |
|---|---|---|
| Step 1 | Learn your state’s early learning standards | Early learning standards by state |
| Step 2 | Plan lessons across the four developmental domains | Developmental domains guide |
| Step 3 | Review the kindergarten Common Core standards in your state | English language arts standards and mathematics standards |
Step 1: Read up on your state’s early learning standards
Early learning standards provide a framework for children’s developmental goals at key milestones. These standards help teachers promote holistic growth and recommend educational approaches that prepare children for kindergarten. Each state has its own set of standards, so it’s essential to know what your state mandates.
Step 2: Promote learning across developmental domains
Children’s progress is often measured across four main developmental domains: physical, cognitive, language, and social-emotional. While each child develops at a unique pace, you can create lessons that promote growth across all domains. For a national reference point, the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework describes how learning progresses from birth to age five across five central domains.
Regularly observe and monitor each child’s development to identify areas where they might need extra support. Tools like the Ages and Stages Questionnaire® (ASQ) or a milestone checklist can help track behaviors and detect potential delays early.
Step 3: Continuously familiarize yourself with kindergarten Common Core standards
Stay informed about the current Common Core standards for kindergarteners in your state. You can read the national English language arts standards and mathematics standards for kindergarten, then check your state’s version. If the standards change, you can adjust your curriculum accordingly. This allows you to compare new benchmarks to your children’s development and better assess their readiness for the next stage of their education.
How can brightwheel support standards-aligned teaching?
Mapping every lesson to your state’s standards takes time. Brightwheel’s Experience Curriculum offers expert-designed lesson plans aligned with all 50 states’ early learning standards, with digital lessons in brightwheel and hands-on materials mailed monthly. Daily embedded assessments help teachers see how each child is progressing, and flexible plans are available for baby, toddler, and preschool classrooms.
You can also plan and organize your own activities with brightwheel’s lesson plans feature and share each child’s development with families through the preschool progress report. Brightwheel is an all-in-one childcare management software, and 90% of administrators report that brightwheel increases the quality of their program.
Final thoughts
Common Core standards offer a necessary framework for creating consistent, rigorous benchmarks that teachers can use to guide their curriculum. By understanding your children’s developmental stages and creating lesson plans aligned with kindergarten standards, you can effectively implement preschool Common Core principles. This approach will support your preschoolers with the skills and confidence they need to succeed as they enter their formal schooling.
Frequently asked questions
Do all states use Common Core standards?
No, not all states use Common Core. As of 2025, forty-one states, the District of Columbia, and four territories use the standards. States routinely review their academic standards and may change or add to them.
Are there official Common Core standards for preschool?
No, there are no official Common Core standards specifically for preschool. Educators can, however, use kindergarten-level standards as a guide to prepare children for their entry into elementary school.
What is the main goal of using Common Core principles in preschool?
The main goal is to ensure preschoolers are prepared for the academic and developmental expectations of kindergarten, helping them make a smooth and successful transition to their formal education.
Is Common Core a curriculum?
No. Common Core is a set of learning goals, not a curriculum. According to the Common Core State Standards Initiative, the standards describe what students should know and be able to do, while teachers and local communities choose the curriculum and the way they teach it.
What standards do preschools follow instead of Common Core?
Preschools typically follow their state’s early learning standards. Programs that receive Head Start funding also use the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, which covers five central domains for children from birth to age five.
