Development Process
ECE Framework is a research-informed field guide for preschool practice. It brings selected research and professional guidance into a planning and reflection resource. It draws on NAEYC’s Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Head Start ELOF, Universal Design for Learning, the Pyramid Model, and guidance on inclusion, equity, and trauma-informed care. It is a synthesis, not an independently tested curriculum or a complete operating manual.
The field guide is organized around the following priorities; this statement does not imply independent peer review or field validation:
- Current research on child development and learning
- Equity-centered and inclusive practices
- Standards alignment and accountability requirements
- Practical usability for educators
- Continuous improvement structures
Version History
Version 1.4 (October 2026): Corrected main-document cross-references and appendix count; synchronized version information; added commitments and daily practices; introduced Essential, Enhanced, and Extended implementation options; updated UDL to 3.0; revised research claims and trauma framing; strengthened assessment safeguards; corrected bibliography entries and added section-level sources; clarified play and flexible planning. An October 3 consistency revision also corrected the appendices and site: removed unsourced age-norm tables and approval thresholds, distinguished planning tools from assessments, clarified preschool scope, added safety responsibilities and Pyramid Model guidance, and replaced broad quality claims with observable review prompts. This was a targeted consistency and source review, not independent validation or a systematic review of every cited work.
Version 1.3 (February 2026): Added the remaining appendices.
Version 1.2: Added some appendices and improved site navigation.
Version 1.0 (October 2025): Initial release with 14 sections on educational planning and practice, from philosophy through continuous improvement.
Feedback and Future Revisions
This field guide is intended to be a living document. Users are encouraged to provide feedback on implementation experiences, challenges encountered, and suggestions for improvement.
The CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 license does not permit public sharing of adapted versions without additional permission. Feedback will inform future revisions and updates. Please share your experiences and suggestions at: steven@stevenjshaw.com
Acknowledgments
This field guide builds on decades of research and practice wisdom from the early childhood education field. Special acknowledgment to:
- The educators, researchers, and advocates whose work forms the foundation of this field guide
- The National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for establishing developmentally appropriate practice principles
- The Office of Head Start for the Early Learning Outcomes Framework
- CAST for Universal Design for Learning guidelines
- Teachstone for the CLASS framework
- Scholars advancing culturally sustaining pedagogies and anti-bias education
- Trauma researchers illuminating the impact of adversity and pathways to healing
- Most importantly, the children, families, and educators whose daily experiences teach us what quality early childhood education looks like in practice
Contact Information
For questions, permissions requests, or to share your implementation experiences:
Steven J. Shaw
steven@stevenjshaw.com\
ECE Framework: A Field Guide to Preschool Practice
ECE Framework: A Field Guide to Preschool Practice | Version 1.4 | October 2026
© 2025-2026 Steven J. Shaw | Licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 4.0
Thank you for your commitment to high-quality early childhood education.
Together, we can ensure all young children have access to enriching, developmentally appropriate,
and equitable learning experiences.
Copyright & License Information
**Copyright © 2025–2026 Steven J. Shaw. **
Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International (CC BY-NC-ND 4.0)
You are free to:
- Share — copy and redistribute this material in any medium or format for non-commercial purposes
- Use — use this field guide for non-commercial educational purposes under the license terms
Under the following terms:
- Attribution — You must give appropriate credit, provide a link to the license, and retain notices of any previous modifications. You may do so in any reasonable manner, but not in any way that suggests the licensor endorses you or your use.
- NonCommercial — You may not use this material for commercial purposes. Whether a use is commercial depends on its purpose and circumstances, not simply whether an organization charges tuition or operates for profit. Consult the license and request clarification when the proposed use is uncertain.
- NoDerivatives — The license permits producing and reproducing adapted material for noncommercial purposes, but not sharing it with the public. Whether a particular internal use constitutes sharing depends on the circumstances. Obtain separate permission for uses the license does not allow. See the legal code and Creative Commons FAQ.
Suggested Citation:
Shaw, S. J. (2026). ECE Framework: A Field Guide to Preschool Practice (Version 1.4). https://eceframework.com/
Permissions and Inquiries:
For permission to create derivative works, use in commercial contexts, or other inquiries, please contact Steven J. Shaw at steven@stevenjshaw.com
Disclaimer:
This field guide is an educational synthesis of selected research and professional guidance. It has not been independently validated as a curriculum, assessment instrument, or program-quality measure. It does not provide a complete health, safety, licensing, or infant–toddler practice manual. Programs remain responsible for applicable requirements and qualified professional guidance.
Acknowledgments:
This field guide synthesizes frameworks and research from NAEYC, Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework, Universal Design for Learning (UDL), Classroom Assessment Scoring System (CLASS), and current scholarship in culturally sustaining pedagogy and trauma-informed practice.