Choosing a daycare curriculum is one of the most rewarding things you can do for the kids in your care. A well-thought-out, intentional curriculum helps your instructors fill up the day with enriching activities and lays a positive foundation for your student’s future.

Your curriculum empowers you to put development at the forefront and help your kids hit important milestones as they get ready for kindergarten. It’s also an opportunity to differentiate your daycare from your competitors. When parents see that your program is uniquely tailored to their child’s growth, they see a provider they can trust.

There's no 'right way' to teach, but it's important to teach the right things—not exactly a small order. You may wonder where to start, what needs to be included, and how to make your program inclusive. These are all important questions that we’ll answer in this comprehensive overview, along with some daycare curriculum examples. By the time you’re done reading, you’ll know exactly how to choose the right childcare curriculum for your center. 

What is a daycare curriculum?

A daycare curriculum is the foundation of your center. It acts as a roadmap to guide a child’s day, week, and even year in your care. It’s not just about keeping kids busy; it’s meant to create an environment where little ones can grow and learn (punctuated by the non-negotiable: nap time).

A daycare curriculum includes a mix of essential ingredients:

• Developmental domains (like physical, cognitive, emotional, and social skills) ensure you’re helping kids blossom in every way that matters.

• Lesson plans give a daily play-by-play, turning big goals into manageable, fun activities.

• Hands-on activities are where kids can express themselves—through painting, block building, or nature walks.

• Assessments are ways to check if the children in your care are hitting milestones.

Your curriculum is major reassurance for parents. By aligning yours with state standards and parental expectations, you’re showing them you’re on top of your game and serious about their children’s future. 

Should you create your own curriculum or use a pre-made one?

Go the DIY route or take the pre-made shortcut? It’s a big decision, and there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Your choice depends on your center’s needs, your team’s expertise, and how much time and money you have to work with. Here’s a breakdown:

Creating your own curriculum

Does building a custom-made curriculum sound right for you? There’s a lot to love about the self serve approach.

• Total customization: If you want to weave your center’s values and favorite teaching philosophies into every activity, creating your very own curriculum could be right for your center.

• Built-in flexibility: If you have a mix of toddlers and pre-K students with different needs, a custom curriculum can adapt and grow alongside your little learners.

• The caveat: Creating your own curriculum is incredibly time-consuming. There’s a steep learning curve to ensure your plans are developmentally appropriate.

Using a pre-made curriculum

On the flip side, pre-made curriculums are tested, polished, professional, and ready to go.

• Expert-approved: Most pre-made options are research-based and built by early education experts, so you know it’s top-notch.

• Time-saving magic: Instead of spending hours devising lesson plans, you’ll have a wealth of ready-made activities, teaching guides, and training resources.

• Cost considerations: While pre-made curriculums can save you time, they may come with a higher upfront investment.

DIY vs. pre-made: factors to consider

If you’re still not sure which is right for your center, ask yourself these questions:

• What’s your team’s expertise? If your staff is full of early childhood rockstars, creating your own might be the way to go. If not, a pre-made option can be a lifesaver.

• How much time do you have? Building from scratch takes time—of which most childcare providers don’t have the luxury.

• What’s your budget? Pre-made curriculums can vary in price, but they often pay for themselves by saving you effort and helping you attract families.

Step-by-step guide to choosing a daycare curriculum

Creating a daycare curriculum is like building the blueprint for your business. This is where your dreams for your center can truly come to fruition. This step-by-step guide takes the guesswork out of the process so you can focus on creating a program that shines.

Step 1: Define your core values and teaching philosophy

Your core values and teaching philosophy are your WHY. By defining these, you can be sure every activity and interaction aligns with your mission. They also create an identity that makes your daycare stand out.

Here are a few teaching philosophies to explore:

• The Development-Interaction Approach (The Bank Street Method): Focused on social-emotional development, this method integrates play and academics, emphasizing experiential learning and the whole child’s growth.

• Self-Directed Discovery (The Montessori Method): Child-led approach encouraging independence and hands-on discovery using carefully designed materials.

• The Self-Directed-Developmental Approach (Reggio Emilia Pedagogy): Collaborative and community-focused, this philosophy lets children explore their interests in creative, flexible environments.

• Play-based Learning (The Waldorf Approach): Rooted in imagination, Waldorf education emphasizes rhythm, creativity, and holistic development.

Which one speaks to your daycare’s goals? You don’t have to decide on just one. Maybe your perfect curriculum is a blended approach.

Step 2: Understand your audience

Students are at the core of what you do. Understand who they are so you can deliver an effective yet engaging experience for their developing minds.

Knowing your kids:

• Age and developmental stages: Each age group—babies, preschoolers, and elementary students—offers a set of unique needs and milestones to consider.

• Abilities and interests: Use your kids’ passions, whether it be dinosaurs, bridges, or anything in between, to create lessons that get them excited.

• Learning styles: Some kids learn through hands-on activities, while others prefer to watch and listen. Observe your group and adjust accordingly.

Step 3: Align with state standards

State standards exist to make sure kids hit important developmental milestones. They also give parents confidence that their child is getting a quality education.

Why standards matter

Aligning your curriculum with state standards is a necessity and gives you the confidence that your activities and goals are age-appropriate, measurable, and meaningful.

Finding the right standards

Every state has its own early learning guidelines, so be sure to search for your home state’s specific standards.

Step 4: Cover the four developmental domains

Your curriculum is your toolbox. To build something great, you need the right tools for every job. In early childhood, those tools fall into four developmental domains:

1. Cognitive development: This is all about thinking and problem-solving. Activities like puzzles, STEM experiments, or memory games fit into this box.

2. Linguistic development: Help kids build their vocabulary and communication skills with storytelling, singing, or puppet shows.

3. Physical development: Gross motor activities like obstacle courses and fine motor exercises like threading beads help kids grow strong and coordinated.

4. Social-emotional development: Foster friendships and empathy through group activities, role-playing, and simple acts of kindness.

Step 5: Establish goals and outcomes

Once you have your foundation, you’re ready to set some big-picture goals! Think about what you want your students to achieve by the end of the week, month, and year.

Annual learning goals

Things like, “Improve fine motor skills,” “Foster early math concepts,” or “Build emotional resilience” are all fair game. Here’s your planning guide:

Target outcomes by domain

For each developmental domain, set specific targets. For example:

• Cognitive: Identify numbers 1-10.

• Linguistic: Retell a simple story in their own words.

• Physical: Hop on one foot for five seconds.

• Social-emotional: Share toys during group play.

These outcomes keep you focused on the greater goal and help you measure success.

Step 6: Plan a daily schedule

Kids thrive on routine, and a well-structured day keeps everyone happy. Luckily, it doesn’t have to feel rigid. 

Balance is key

Mix structured activities with unstructured play. Alternate high-energy tasks with quiet ones to keep kids from burning out.

Sample schedule

Here’s an example for preschoolers:

• 9:00 AM: Arrival and free play

• 9:30 AM: Circle time (songs, weather talk, and a story)

• 10:00 AM: Gross motor activity (obstacle course or outdoor play)

• 10:30 AM: Snack

• 11:00 AM: Themed lesson (exploring shapes or colors)

• 11:30 AM: Art activity

• 12:00 PM: Lunch and cleanup

Step 7: Develop lesson and activity plans

Lesson plans are the core of your curriculum! Here’s what will really bring your curriculum to life.

What to include

Each lesson plan should have these components:

1. Objectives: What’s the goal of the activity?

2. Activities: The hands-on, exciting stuff kids will do.

3. Assessment strategies: How you’ll measure success.

4. Duration: How long it’ll take (and whether you need a backup plan for fast finishers).

Weekly format

Create a template with daily activities, target outcomes, and materials needed. For example:

• Monday: Explore animal habitats (cognitive, linguistic).

• Tuesday: Practice hopping like kangaroos (physical).

• Wednesday: Share stories about favorite pets (social-emotional).

Step 8: Incorporate assessments

All is for none if you don’t track progress! Assessments don’t have to be a huge undertaking—in fact, they’re your chance to celebrate growth and find areas where you can provide extra support.

Why assessments matter

Regular assessments help you:

• See what’s working (and what’s not)

• Communicate progress to parents

• Tailor activities to meet each child’s needs

Tools and resources to simplify curriculum planning

You know by now that creating a daycare curriculum is no small feat. There are lesson plans to write, developmental milestones to track, and unique activity ideas to come up with. While you’re focused on the important stuff, there are tools and resources to manage and automate the finer details, making your life easier.

How a child care management software can help

Tools like Playground simplify childcare management, helping you focus on creating meaningful experiences for kids while saving time on administrative tasks. This holistic solution empowers educators with every powerful tool they need, cutting through the fluff and straight to what truly matters. 

Key benefits of Playground

• Streamlined curriculum management
  Playground keeps everything organized—lesson plans, schedules, and assessments are just a click away. No more hunting for that one activity idea you scribbled on a sticky note.

• Intuitive design
  You don’t need to be techy to use Playground. Its user-friendly interface makes it simple to get started!

• Customizable features
  Every daycare is different, and Playground gets that. Whether you want to adjust lesson plans on the fly or tailor assessments to a specific age group, customization options let you make the tool your own.

• Parent communication made easy
  Keep families in the loop with updates on their child’s progress, daily schedules, and more. Playground bridges the gap between classroom and home, building trust and engagement.

Tips for successful curriculum implementation

You’ve crafted or chosen the perfect daycare curriculum! Now it’s time to let it shine. Here are some tried-and-true tips to make sure your curriculum delivers big wins for your kids and inspires confidence in the parents.

Involve teachers in planning and training

Your teachers are the heart and soul of your curriculum. After all, they’re the ones bringing it to life every day. Involving them in the planning and training process is a no-brainer for success. 

How to do it:

• Workshops and training: Host regular sessions where teachers can learn the ins and outs of the curriculum. Include plenty of time for questions and collaboration.

• Brainstorming sessions: Invite teachers to share activity ideas or tweaks to lesson plans.

• Feedback loops: Create a system for teachers to regularly share what’s working and what’s not. Listening to their input can make a world of difference!

Regularly update and adapt the curriculum

No curriculum should be set in stone. Kids grow, trends change, and even the most thoughtful plans need a little fine-tuning now and then.

How to do it:

• Review monthly or quarterly: Take time to assess what’s clicking and what feels stale.

• Observe and adapt: Pay attention to how kids respond to activities. Are they engaged? Struggling?

• Stay in the know: Keep an eye on new research or trends in early childhood education. A simple tweak inspired by fresh insights can take your curriculum to the next level.

Collaborate with parents

Parents are your partners in this journey. When they’re involved, everyone wins. Plus, their feedback can help you tailor your curriculum to meet their expectations while uncovering valuable insights about their kids.

How to do it:

• Parent surveys: Create quick surveys to gather input on curriculum ideas, activities, or goals.

• Parent-teacher meetings: Use these as opportunities to discuss how the curriculum supports their child’s growth

• Share the wins: Keep parents in the loop by sharing progress reports, photos of activities, or even a monthly newsletter.

FAQs about daycare curriculum planning

When it comes to daycare curriculum planning, you probably still have some questions—and that’s a good thing! It means you’re invested in creating the best possible experience for the children in your care. Here are some of the most common questions to help you plan with confidence.

1. What is the best curriculum for daycare?

The "best" curriculum depends on your daycare’s goals, values, and the needs of your children. Some centers thrive with a Montessori approach, fostering independence and self-guided learning. Others might prefer a play-based curriculum, prioritizing creativity and social skills, or a STEM-focused program for curious, science-loving kiddos.

If you’re unsure, consider a hybrid model. Mixing and matching elements from different approaches lets you craft a curriculum that works best for your kids, parents, and teachers.

2. How do you write an early childhood curriculum?

With the right steps, an early childhood curriculum will all come together:

1. Define your core values: What’s most important to your center? Independence, creativity, collaboration? Let these guide your curriculum.

2. Understand your kids: Observe their developmental stages, interests, and learning styles.

3. Set learning goals: What should children achieve by the end of a week, month, or year.

4. Plan activities: Focus on the four developmental domains—cognitive, linguistic, physical, and social-emotional.

5. Include assessments: Build in ways to track progress, like observation notes or skill checklists.

3. How often should a curriculum be updated?

A good curriculum is ever-evolving. Here’s a quick guide:

• Annually: Review the entire curriculum to ensure it aligns with current best practices and developmental milestones.

• Quarterly: Update lesson plans based on what’s working (and what’s not).

• As needed: Be flexible. If something isn’t engaging the kids, tweak it right away.

Parent and teacher feedback can be incredibly helpful during updates, so don’t be afraid to ask for input.

4. How do I know if my curriculum is effective?

An effective curriculum will show its worth in the classroom. Here’s how to measure success:

Engagement: Are kids excited about activities? Do they stay focused and eager to participate?

• Developmental progress: Are children hitting age-appropriate milestones in areas like motor skills, language, and social-emotional growth?

• Teacher feedback: Are teachers finding the curriculum easy to use and effective in the classroom?

• Parent satisfaction: Do parents feel their children are learning and thriving?

If the answer to these questions is “yes,” you’re on the right track!

5. How to make a daycare lesson plan?

A great lesson plan is all about structure and clarity. Here’s what to include:

• Objective: What’s the goal of the activity? For example, “Develop fine motor skills by threading beads.”

• Materials Needed: List everything you’ll need to avoid last-minute scrambling.

• Activity Description: Step-by-step instructions for the lesson or activity.

• Time Allotment: Estimate how long it’ll take (and plan for early finishers).

• Assessment: How will you measure success?

6. What are some childcare curriculum examples?

Let’s take a play-based curriculum as an example. Here’s how a week might look:

• Monday: Explore shapes with sensory bins (cognitive, linguistic).

• Tuesday: Practice gross motor skills with an obstacle course (physical).

• Wednesday: Read a story about friendship and discuss sharing (social-emotional).

• Thursday: Build towers with blocks and measure their height (STEM).

• Friday: Create art using nature items collected during a walk (creativity).

Each activity ties into a developmental domain, making the curriculum holistic and engaging.

Crafting a curriculum that inspires

Creating a daycare curriculum is not for the faint of heart, but it’s one of the most impactful ways you’ll shape the lives of the students in your care. This is the bedrock upon which you’ll nurture curiosity and foster growth that will carry these little learners into the future.

Whether you create your own curriculum, adapt a pre-made one, or embrace a hybrid approach, the key is to focus on what matters most: the kids! Their “aha” moments are the true markers of success.

Takeaways:

Stay flexible
Children’s needs change, and your curriculum should, too.

Involve your team
Teachers and parents are your greatest allies.

Embrace the tools
Digital solutions like Playground make your life easier so you can focus on what’s most important.

Remember the big picture

Every daycare curriculum has a greater vision. Define your values, choose a childcare philosophy that aligns with your mission, brainstorm with your team, and start building a curriculum that’s as unique and special as the children it serves. Because when you do, you’re making a difference—and that’s something worth celebrating.