The Ultimate Guide to Kaplan’s Early Childhood Curricula Options

A high-quality curriculum is at the heart of effective early childhood education (ECE). It gives educators a clear framework to build essential skills, nurture curiosity, and equip children for kindergarten and beyond.

At Kaplan, we know that effective curricula do more than teach. They turn meaningful play into opportunities to explore key concepts like literacy, math, science, and social-emotional development. But every classroom is unique, with different goals, standards, and student needs. Which is why we offer a range of research-based, developmentally appropriate curriculum options. 

Curious which option is the best fit for your early childhood classroom? This article highlights our top early childhood curricula, including who they serve best, the key learning domains they support, what makes each program unique, and best practices for using them in the classroom.

Connect4Learning^Ⓡ

The Connect4Learning Pre-K Curriculum^Ⓡ is a research-based program that proves young children can benefit from meaningful math and science learning. While most preschool curricula emphasize language, literacy, and social-emotional development alone, Connect4Learning^Ⓡ integrates these domains into rich math and science experiences. Using a project-based learning approach, the research-based program equips early educators to build critical skills in every domain of early learning.

Developed by leading early childhood researchers—Drs. Doug Clements, Julie Sarama, Mary Louise Hemmeter, Kimberly Brenneman, and Nell Duke—this interdisciplinary curriculum integrates math, science, literacy, and social-emotional learning into a cohesive program. 

Connect4Learning^Ⓡ stands out for its thoughtfully designed instructional framework. Built on research-based learning trajectories, the program uses a rigorous scope and sequence that promotes sequential learning. With this instructional approach, children develop skills in a step-by-step progression, moving from simple to more complex concepts and from concrete to abstract ideas—allowing them to build on what they already know. Additionally, while some curricula overlook social-emotional learning or treat it as a separate component, Connect4Learning^Ⓡ integrates it alongside literacy, math, and science for a more comprehensive approach.

• Preschool-aged children (ages 3 to 5 years old)
• Full-day and half-day programs
• Head Start or Early Head Start programs
• Project-based learning approach
• Dual language learners

Key domains it supports: Connect4Learning^Ⓡ blends science, math, literacy, and social-emotional development into each unit. It uses real-world concepts to show how learning fits together rather than teaching each subject in isolation.

How it’s taught: The curriculum includes six engaging units that integrate the following domains:

• Mathematics: Lessons follow research-based learning trajectories to grow children’s mathematical thinking and reasoning skills sequentially.
• Science: Activities draw on the Preschool Pathways to Science (PrePS) framework. This approach connects science to math, literacy, and art to spark curiosity and deepen engagement.
• Language and literacy: Lessons and activities build on the Science of Reading research to create authentic, real-world experiences. For example, having children write a story about their day instead of practicing letters on a worksheet.
• Social-emotional development: Instructional strategies based on the Pyramid Model. This approach helps children build social-emotional skills like sharing, problem-solving, and self-regulation—regardless of their needs or abilities. 

Alignments: Connect4Learning^Ⓡ aligns to the Head Start Early Learning Outcomes Framework as well as many state-specific standards, including Iowa, Maryland, Oregon, and Florida. Contact us to review your state’s alignment.

What’s included: The Connect4Learning^Ⓡ Complete Classroom Kit includes nearly everything teachers need to implement the curriculum for the school year, including:

• Six unit manuals with 32 weeks of detailed lesson plans, recommended activities, and materials lists. 
• Teacher’s Handbook to support the daily implementation of the curriculum.
• Principal’s or Director’s Handbook, providing guidance when supervising the implementation of Connect4Learning^Ⓡ across their entire center or program.
• Classroom Book Set containing more than 120 titles, written for use with the Connect4Learning^Ⓡcurriculum.
• Formative Assessment to track each child’s development and apply individualized teaching strategies. Connect4Learning^Ⓡ also aligns with Teaching Strategies GOLD^Ⓡ objectives for development and learning, making the process of implementing the curriculum with this assessment streamlined and effective.
• One-year subscription to the Connect4Learning^® Online Portal. The subscription includes digital access to lessons, formative assessments, and web-based learning activities.
• More classroom materials, like custom-made cards, custom games, classroom posters, and math manipulatives. These resources supplement instruction and deepen engagement.

Cost to get started: The English version of Connect4Learning^Ⓡ is approximately $3,000 per classroom kit. The Spanish version—which includes extra trade books and classroom visuals to support dual languages—is $3,300 per kit.  

Available training and PD: We offer a range of instructor-led and virtual training options for successful implementation. We also provide ongoing training opportunities for staff to explore adaptations and expand their knowledge and skills over time.

Extra support and add-ons: Along with the core curriculum, you’ll receive additional components—including teacher and principal manuals, supplemental books, a formative assessment, one-year access to the Connect4Learning^Ⓡ online portal, and other classroom resources—to support implementation and instruction.

To learn more, check out our complete Connect4Learning^Ⓡ buying guide.

All About Preschoolers

All About Preschoolers (AAP) is a comprehensive, environment-based preschool curriculum. Grounded in the Early Childhood Environment Rating Scale (ECERS-3), the program treats the classroom environment as the “third teacher.” It provides detailed information about how the setup of the environment, along with specific materials and teacher involvement, can promote and deepen learning.

Backed by years of research, All About Preschoolers meets children where they are, honoring their diverse learning styles and individual paces. The program features 18 theme-based units that seamlessly blend early learning concepts, like science, math, and social studies. It also fosters meaningful engagement and helps children connect ideas across domains. 

Inside, you’ll find over 600 photos depicting how to use the curriculum in the classroom. These make it easy for any preschool teacher—new or seasoned—to use the material as intended. 

Best for: All About Preschoolers is best for:

• Programs serving preschool-aged children (ages 3 to 5), with the majority of children being 4 years old
• Full-day and half-day programs
• Play-based learning approach

Key domains it supports: The academically enriched curriculum goes beyond play-based activities. It integrates cognitive skills and early learning concepts—such as science, math, and social studies—into 18 thematic units. 

How it’s taught: Instead of teaching subjects in isolation, AAP organizes lessons and activities around central themes, like friendship, music, animals, and sensory experiences. It integrates various concepts to make learning more meaningful and engaging for young children.

After the first two units, teachers can teach the 18 theme-based curriculum units based on the children's interests. You can also use it as a stand-alone curriculum or to supplement an existing program.

Alignments: The creators of the ECERS-3 developed All About Preschoolers, and the authors built it to align closely with the scale’s standards. The curriculum includes strategies and resources to help classrooms meet or exceed those quality benchmarks.

What’s included: It includes two volumes filled with detailed lesson plans and over 600 descriptive photos showcasing real classroom setups and activities. The volumes are complete with suggested activities, songs, chants, lesson plans, and even discussion topics for group time.

We also offer other package options with more hands-on resources to bring the curriculum to life in the classroom: 

• The All About Preschoolers Super Set includes the 2-volume curriculum set, plus support materials, like classroom posters, journals, and name cards. You'll also receive a poster-sized calendar to display the 18 weekly lesson plans. 
• The All About Preschoolers Curriculum Resource Set includes everything in the “Super Set” package, plus rich, photographic images of nature, animals, foods, and other subjects to reinforce each weekly theme.

Cost to get started: The two-volume curriculum set is currently priced at $129.95. You can also buy the “Super Set” for $599.95 or the “Resource Set” for $619.95.

Extra support and add-ons: A set of weekly calendar posters is available as an add-on to the 2-volume set to display the 18 themes in your classroom.

Beyond Series

The Beyond Series features play-based curricula grounded in well-known child development theories, research on play and brain development, and best practices in early childhood education. The curriculum centers on play as the foundation for learning, using structured play experiences—from dramatic play to sensory activities—to introduce key skills.

Dr. Pamela C. Phelps, the creator of the Beyond Series, has over four decades of hands-on experience in early childhood education. The program builds on her expertise, bringing theory and practice together through meaningful activities and proven teaching strategies. 

Best for: The Beyond Centers & Circle Time (BCCT) curriculum is best suited for preschoolers (children ages 3 to 5 years old). Beyond Cribs and Rattles, the version for infants and toddlers, serves children from birth up to 3 years old.

It’s also designed for:

• Full-day and half-day programs
• Head Start and Early Head Start programs
• Play-based learning approach

Key domains it supports: The curriculum weaves together physical development, social-emotional development, language and literacy, and cognitive development, including math, science, social studies, and the creative arts.

How it’s taught: Beyond Centers & Circle Time fits naturally into children’s daily classroom routines. It uses engaging topics to blend structured learning with child-led play. The program also emphasizes scaffolding, encouraging teachers to support and guide children’s learning in the moment to foster growth and deeper thinking. It features four key components:

• Scaffolding the environment. Applying strategies for arranging play spaces and choosing play materials.
• Scaffolding pre-play experiences. Priming children with guidance, tools, and structure before play begins
• Scaffolding individual child development. Understanding how different types of play support growth—and meeting them where they are.
• Scaffolding post-play experiences. Helping children reflect and build on what they learned after play has ended.

Beyond Cribs and Rattles features the same four components, but they’re adapted for children from birth to age three. The primary focus is teaching caregivers how to create intentional, developmentally appropriate play experiences that support growth from the start. 

Alignments: The curriculum aligns with the Head Start Child Outcomes Framework and many state-specific standards, including the Florida (VPK) Standards for All Four-Year-Olds. Visit our website to review state-specific alignments.

What’s included: The Beyond Centers & Circle Time Comprehensive Program includes:

• Core textbook filled with research-based strategies for understanding children’s play and designing engaging learning environments with thoughtful play opportunities.
• 10 theme manuals to craft engaging, developmentally appropriate learning experiences for each specific theme.
• Authentic assessments, including manual checklists, to track children’s growth and development.
• Access to short, practical training videos that cover everything from guiding dramatic play to conducting authentic assessments.
• More materials, like posters, recipes, and reusable family letters, to support learning and supplement the curriculum.

The Beyond Cribs and Rattles Comprehensive Program includes:

• Core textbook with hands-on strategies for implementing the program and creating intentional, developmentally appropriate play experiences for infants and toddlers. 

• Six downloadable lesson plans that emphasize role playing, sensory exploration, and language development, from playing “Pat-A-Cake” to visiting a make-believe grocery store.

• Access to training videos that illustrate how to teach each lesson, from setting up a play environment to building on skills beyond the activity. 

Cost to get started: Beyond Centers & Circle Time Comprehensive Program, 3rd Edition is currently available for $499.95. The Beyond Cribs and Rattles Comprehensive Program, 2nd Edition, is available for $199.95.

Standalone curriculum guides for Beyond Centers & Circle Time and Beyond Cribs and Rattles are also available for $69.95 each.

Available training and PD: We offer a variety of training options for using the Beyond Series curricula. Delivered by Dr. Pam Phelps, the curriculum creator, the training focuses on using theory and research to guide how young children play. You can purchase private or à la carte implementation training sessions or pre-scheduled sessions on child development topics. Look out for upcoming professional learning sessions or reach out to professionallearning@kaplanco.com for more information on Beyond Series training.

Extra support and add-ons: You can buy an additional set of 30 developmental checklists for individual assessments for $12.95.

Learn Every Day^™

Learn Every Day^™: The Preschool Curriculum leverages the power of play to help young children learn and grow. Co-authored by a team of early childhood experts, the program reflects the latest research about how children learn best. It features 36 thematic units that blend high-quality instruction with free play to help children learn in a fun and engaging way. There’s also a version for the youngest learners, Learn Every Day^™: The Program for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos.

Best for: Learn Every Day^™ is best for:

• Programs serving 3 to 4-year-olds
• Full-day and half-day programs
• Head Start and Early Head Start programs
• Play-based learning approach
• Dual language learners
• Adaptations for exceptional children

Key domains it supports: Literacy, math, science, social studies, and the creative arts are integrated into each thematic unit.

How it’s taught: Best practice is to prepare the units in the order they’re presented. But as long as you complete the first volume before moving on to the second, you can skip ahead and adapt the curriculum to match children’s interests. 

Alignments: The program aligns with Head Start Outcomes and various state-specific guidelines for preschool education, including those in Georgia, Illinois, Ohio, and Iowa. We also offer correlations and classroom product lists for the Environment Rating Scales (ECERS-R & ECERS-3) and other quality initiatives. 

What’s included: Learn Every Day^®: The Preschool Curriculum, 2nd Edition includes a three-volume lesson guide with 36 weekly themes and 1,300+ multi-sensory activities. There's also a curriculum guide for setting up and managing your learning environment.

Cost to get started: The first edition of Learn Every Day^Ⓡ: The Preschool Curriculum is currently priced $149.95. You can buy the 2nd edition—which includes updated content, refreshed visuals, and expanded resources—for $199.95. 

We also offer extra resources to help educators implement the curriculum, including:

• Supplementary skill kits to support exploration and discovery across science, math, social-emotional development, arts, and social studies. Prices range from $499.95 to $576.95.
• Learn Every Day^® series containing books featuring 100 activities that support each curriculum area, priced at $12.95 each. 

Available training and PD: Learn Every Day^® is intuitive and easy to use. However, we offer virtual implementation training on the curriculum, with half-day and full-day training options.

Extra support and add-ons: We offer virtual implementation training for all users of the Learn Every Day^™ Preschool Curriculum. 

Nemours^® Reading BrightStart!

Nemours^Ⓡ Reading BrightStart! is a unique, interactive, and fun program designed to promote a strong reading foundation for young children. The multisensory curriculum includes practical, research-based tools that integrate child development, early education, and pediatric health principles to build early literacy skills. 

Best for: Nemours^® Reading Brightstart! is best suited for pre-school children aged 3 to 5 years old. It’s particularly valuable for young children at risk of falling behind in early literacy. Multiple studies show that participation in NRBS! can lead to an average literacy gain of 114%.

It’s also designed for:

• Full-day and half-day programs
• Head Start and Early Head Start programs
• Programs with a core curriculum
• Dual language learners

Key domains it supports: The program focuses on early literacy concepts, like oral language, phonological awareness, and comprehension. Focusing on these skills helps build reading readiness skills in early learners.

How it’s taught: Nemours^® Reading Brightstart! is a supplemental program that complements your core curriculum and works seamlessly with all of Kaplan’s curriculum options. It integrates literacy practices into children’s daily classroom routines to supplement instruction. This allows educators to maximize circle time, small-group activities, read-alouds, and other instructional approaches.

The curriculum offers two tailored program levels to meet children where they are. Level One reinforces skills for children who are on track or excelling. In contrast, Level Two offers targeted support to help those struggling with early literacy skills.

Alignments: Nemours^® Reading Brightstart! is aligned with Head Start Early Learning Outcomes and State Early Learning Guidelines, and it can be adapted to align with several federal and state-specific standards. 

What’s included: The Level One program consists of 20 small-group lessons with hands-on activities that reinforce early literacy skills. The complete set includes:

• 20 scripted lesson plans with learning objectives tied to state and national standards, observation sheets, and a family engagement component.
• In-depth instructional guide and technical manual for using the Level One program.
• Manipulatives that support lessons and help keep children engaged. Some examples include magnifying glasses, puppets, craft sticks, and magnetic letters.
• Book set for the read-aloud portions. The set includes classics, like Chicka Chicka Boom Boom and The Very Hungry Caterpillar.
• Milestone map in both English and Spanish to track children’s reading readiness and progress.

Level Two comprises 36 small-group lessons designed to help children develop skills quickly and confidently. The complete set includes:

• 36 lesson plans with corresponding multisensory materials, 300+ reading activities, learning objectives aligned with Common Core State Standards, a family engagement component, and adaptive and accelerated strategies.
• Skill development checklists for monitoring children’s progress.
• In-depth instructional guide for using the Level Two program.
• Book set for read-aloud portions.
• Manipulatives kit to supplement lessons.
• Chart book of rhymes and poems.

Cost to get started: The Nemours^® Reading Brightstart! Complete Program for Literacy Success: Level 1 is currently priced at $1,099.95. If you’re not interested in the complete set, you can buy individual components:

• Level 1 Lesson Plans: $499.95
• Level 1 Manipulatives: $440.95
• Level 1 Book Set: $165.95
• Milestone Map (English): $3.95
• Milestone Map (Spanish): $3.95

The Level 2 Complete Program for Early Literacy Success is available for $1,759.95. Similarly, you can buy each component separately:

• Level Two Lesson Plans: $1,484.95
• Level Two Manipulatives: $324.95

Available training and PD: Nemours^® Reading Brightstart! offers program-specific professional development and customized training for effective implementation. Educators can also take NRBS! Certified Trainer courses for tools and guidance on delivering high-quality literacy instruction for young children.

Extra support and add-ons: Kaplan also offers resources to support children learning English as a second language, such as 10 Best Practices for Developing Book Experiences for Dual Language Learners. You can also buy a parent’s guide to reading readiness, as well as kits that promote physical activity and nutrition.

A quick comparison of Kaplan's curricula options:

Explore Kaplan's selection of high-quality curricula solutions to support every child's growth.

Early childhood curricula aren't one-size-fits-all solutions for learning and development. The right choice in your classrooms will give children a strong start and set the stage for lifelong learning. At its best, an early childhood curriculum builds essential skills while keeping learning fun, engaging, and meaningful. Kaplan offers early childhood curricula that check all the boxes and help teachers inspire learning in every child.

For a complete view and comparison of our curriculum options, check out our Curricula Comparison chart. It highlights the target age, structure, supplements, and more for each program. For 1-1 support in finding the right curriculum, contact a local Kaplan Sales Representative. They will work with you to assess your needs and recommend the best fit for your program.