Early Childhood Standards

The implementation of program standards are part of an on-going and continuous improvement effort for districts and programs. Districts and programs must routinely review the preschool program policies, procedures, and data to assure the programs are meeting criteria.  Iowa’s school districts and their community partners operating  Statewide Voluntary Preschool Programs (SWVPP) and preschool classrooms providing  Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) instructional services are required to demonstrate that the programs are meeting the Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards and Criteria. 

The Preschool Desk Audit is composed of two parts: 

1. Session ID Information (Aug. 1 - Sept. 15) - All district preschool programs must complete part 1 of Session ID.  

2. IQPPS Evidence (Sept. 15 - Dec. 15) - Every school district that is implementing IQPPS at any location, including community partners, will submit IQPPS evidence via the Preschool Desk Audit process. Additional information and directions can be found in the  Preschool Desk Audit Instructions (687.15 KB) .pdf and the  Universal Preschool Desk Audit: Evidence of IQPPS Implementation (172.27 KB) .pdf . 

The 2026 Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards (662 KB) .pdf and criteria support the implementation of early learning experiences by promoting the use of research-based practices. The IQPPS criteria combine content from the core areas of early childhood development and learning, cross-cutting curriculum, instruction, and assessment that occurs in early childhood classrooms and settings.

There are 27  2026 IQPPS Required Criteria (91.75 KB) .pdf embedded within the ten program standards. Required criteria represent the hallmarks of a high quality program. It is the responsibility of districts to ensure each component of all required criteria is always addressed and demonstrated.

Districts and programs following IQPPS will annually submit evidence via the Preschool Desk Audit in CASA between Sept. 15 and Dec. 15. Only Districts that are having an onsite IQPPS visit, following Head Start Program Performance Standards, or are NAEYC accredited across all classrooms, will be exempt from submitting IQPPS evidence via the Preschool Desk Audit.

On-site monitoring visits will take place if districts choose to switch program standards. 

The implementation of IQPPS requirements are part of an on-going and continuous improvement effort for districts and programs. Districts and programs must routinely review the preschool program policies, procedures, and data to assure the programs are meeting IQPPS criteria. The Preschool Desk Audit is composed of two parts: Part 1) Session ID Information (Aug. 1 - Sept. 15) and Part 2) IQPPS Evidence (Sept. 15 - Dec. 15). Additional information and directions can be found in the  Preschool Desk Audit Instructions (687.15 KB) .pdf and the  Universal Preschool Desk Audit: Evidence of IQPPS Implementation (172.27 KB) .pdf . 

The implementation of IQPPS and their criteria are part of continuous improvement effort for districts and programs as an ongoing process. Districts and programs must routinely review the preschool program policies, procedures and data to assure the programs are meeting IQPPS and criteria. See the  Recommended Year-At-A-Glance Resource for Iowa Preschool Programs (126.3 KB) .pdf . Resources and tools have been developed to support implementation of the IQPPS standards. The checklists below are beneficial, but not required, in assembling evidence to demonstrate the implementation of IQPPS and Criteria.