About GELDS
For over two decades, the K-12 education system has embraced standards-based learning as an
integral part of ensuring student success. Recognizing the importance of standards-based learning,
Georgia has served as a pioneer in generating thoughtful and appropriate standards for children at all
age levels. Georgia’s Early Learning Standards (GELS) and Pre-K Content Standards were developed to
improve child outcomes in early care and learning programs and to promote high-quality early education
programming for all children.
However, developments such as the implementation of the Georgia Standards of Excellence (GSE)
for K-12 and revision of the Head Start Child Development and Early Learning Framework have called
additional attention to the importance of high-quality standards for children’s learning and development.
Georgia answered this call for higher quality standards by commissioning a year-long analysis of its
early learning standards to determine their comprehensiveness and alignment with other documents, such as
the CCGPS for Kindergarten, the Head Start Framework, and Work Sampling Online. Drs. Sharon Lynn Kagan of
Columbia University and Catherine Scott-Little of UNC-G conducted the analysis. As a result of their
recommendations, Georgia drafted a new set of standards called the Georgia Early Learning and Development
Standards (GELDS) for children birth to age 5. To access the GELDS, please visit
www.gelds.decal.ga.gov.
If you have additional questions, contact the Instructional Learning Manager at
GELDS@decal.ga.gov
or (404) 657-1778.
About DECAL
Bright from the Start is responsible for meeting the child care and early education needs of
Georgia’s children and their families. It administers the nationally recognized Georgia’s Pre-K
Program, licenses child care centers and home-based child care, administers Georgia's Childcare
and Parent Services (CAPS) program, federal nutrition programs, and manages Quality Rated, Georgia’s
community powered child care rating system.
The department also houses the Head Start State Collaboration Office, distributes federal funding
to enhance the quality and availability of child care, and works collaboratively with Georgia child
care resource and referral agencies and organizations throughout the state to enhance early care and education.