NYC Early Childhood Framework for Quality (2019)
Developed by the New York City Department of Education Division of Early Childhood Education and introduced in 2019, the NYC Early Childhood Framework for Quality (EFQ) sets unified quality standards for all early childhood programs serving children birth to five across New York City - including district schools, Pre-K centers, NYC Early Education Centers, and charter schools. It replaced the previous Program Quality Standards (PQS) in fall 2019 and aligns with the NYCDOE Framework for Great Schools. The EFQ is used citywide to evaluate and support quality across all NYCDOE-funded early childhood programs.
Used exclusively within New York City. The EFQ is the mandatory quality framework for all NYCDOE-funded early childhood programs citywide, including Pre-K for All and 3-K for All sites across district schools, Pre-K centers, NYCEECs, and charter schools.
How Observation Copilot Helps
AI-powered NYC EFQ feedback in seconds
Paste your observation notes. Copilot maps your evidence to the right NYC EFQ domains and drafts structured, rubric-aligned feedback - ready to review and share.
- Maps observation notes to EFQ elements automatically across all six quality areas
- Generates evidence-based summaries for each EFQ element and indicator
- Suggests ratings aligned to the four-level EFQ scale (Needs Improvement through Excellent)
- Creates targeted next steps tied to specific EFQ indicators
- Reduces post-observation write-up time from hours to minutes for NYC early childhood leaders
Framework Domains
NYC EFQ at a Glance
1. High quality programs respect and value differences
Creating a climate of trust and belonging, implementing culturally responsive instruction, addressing bias, differentiating instruction to meet diverse learner needs, and connecting families to community services.
2. High quality programs create safe and positive environments
Building trusting relationships with children and families, supporting social-emotional learning, using flexible scheduling, promoting safe and healthy habits, designing supportive classroom environments, and partnering with families on health and safety.
3. High quality programs advance play-based learning and responsive instruction
Implementing play-based learning approaches, using research-based curriculum such as The Creative Curriculum or HighScope, extending children's thinking, using data-driven instructional practices, and engaging in collaborative planning.
4. High quality programs promote families' roles as primary caregivers, teachers, and advocates
Maintaining two-way family communication, welcoming family participation in the classroom, building family skills and knowledge, connecting families to community resources, supporting families as advocates, and providing transition support.
5. High quality programs work collaboratively towards continuous quality improvement
Soliciting family feedback on program quality, engaging in self-reflection, participating in professional learning, providing feedback to program leadership, building community partnerships, and engaging in collaborative goal-setting.
6. High quality programs demonstrate strategic leadership
Establishing and communicating a shared program vision, shaping organizational culture, building classroom community, implementing effective classroom systems, and managing resources to support quality.
Rating Scale
NYC EFQ Rating Levels
Used In
States Using NYC EFQ
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