Why Exceed Is the Clear Choice for Early Childhood Curriculum: A Fun, Friendly, Research-Backed Guide for Schools & Centers

Choosing a curriculum for 3- and 4-year-olds is one of the most important decisions an early childhood program will make. The right curriculum should support teachers, engage children, meet your state requirements, and actually make your job easier—not harder.

That’s exactly why more schools, preschools, and childcare centers are moving to Exceed, a research-backed, state-approved, structured play-based program designed to save teachers time while improving outcomes for young learners.

If you’ve been comparing options like Frog Street, Creative Curriculum, Tools of the Mind, or Home Grown Pre-K, you’re in the right place. Below, you'll find a friendly, easy-to-read breakdown of why Exceed outshines the rest, who it’s best suited for, and the key advantages that make it a standout choice.

What Makes Exceed Special?

Exceed was built with a simple mission: Make teaching easier and learning richer.

Our curriculum blends:

• Research-backed child development strategies

• Structured play-based learning

• Hands-on, meaningful activities

• Monthly observational checklists and skill tracking

• Teacher-friendly lesson plans

• VDOE approval for schools in Virginia

We believe that when teachers have what they need, children thrive—and classrooms feel calmer, happier, and more productive.

Key Reasons Exceed Beats the Competition

1. Low Prep, High Impact

Teachers don’t need hours of prep time or complicated scripts. Everything is:

• Ready to use

• Easy to understand

• Flexible for substitutes

• Designed to cut planning time by 2–3 hours per week on average
  

If your teachers are already stretched (and whose aren’t?), this is one of the biggest game-changers.

2. Structured Play-Based Learning

Exceed bridges the gap between academic structure and play-based learning.

Children learn through:

• Guided play

• Real materials

• Hands-on exploration

• Purposeful routines

• Developmentally aligned activities
  

It’s fun for them—and it’s research-backed for you.

3. VDOE-Approved & Built for Accountability

Unlike many early childhood programs, Exceed is:

• Approved by the Virginia Department of Education

• Aligned with the state’s learning standards

• Equipped with observational checklists and monthly skill tracking

Directors love this because it makes: ✔ Reporting easier

✔ Quality assurance smoother

✔ Coaching and evaluation more consistent

4. Affordable & All-Inclusive

Other programs bundle curriculum costs, support materials, and training into separate bills that quickly add up.

Exceed keeps it simple:

• Transparent pricing

• Support included

• Practical materials

• No surprise add-ons
  

Schools often report that Exceed is significantly more affordable than Frog Street, Creative Curriculum, or Tools of the Mind once training and materials are factored in.

5. Loved by Teachers, Parents, and Kids

Across classrooms, teachers consistently report:

• Higher student engagement

• More consistent routines

• Better SEL outcomes

• Easier days with fewer behavior disruptions

• Clearer objectives and smoother transitions
  

Parents also notice the difference—and they talk about it.

Who Exceed Is Best For

Exceed is the perfect fit for programs that want…

✔ A curriculum that is easy for teaqchers to implement

If you have new teachers, busy teachers, overwhelmed teachers, or frequent staff changes—Exceed is made for you.

✔ Play-based learning without losing structure

If you want learning that is hands-on, joyful, and rooted in research—without chaos, Exceed provides the perfect balance.

✔ A program that aligns with standards and supports accountability

If your center needs tools for observations, reporting, and tracking skills, you’ll love how organized Exceed is.

✔ A budget-friendly but high-quality option

If you want the strength of a major curriculum without the overwhelming price tag, Exceed delivers.

Quick Comparison: Why Exceed Stands Out

Here’s the simple truth:

Frog Street: Scripted, colorful, but expensive. High training requirements.

Creative Curriculum: Comprehensive but overwhelming. Lots of prep and materials.

Tools of the Mind: Great for SEL but requires heavy teacher training and specialized techniques.

Other programs: Often lack alignment, support materials, or clear structure.

Exceed: Research-backed, structured play-based, VDOE-approved, low prep, easy to teach, affordable, and truly built with teachers in mind.

Final Thoughts: Choose the Program That Helps Your Teachers Exceed

Your teachers deserve a curriculum that supports them. Your students deserve a classroom where learning is joyful and developmentally meaningful. And your school deserves a program that makes your job easier—not more complicated.

Exceed isn’t just another curriculum. It’s a teacher-friendly, child-centered, highly effective, state-approved early childhood system designed to help your program thrive.

If you’re ready to enhance learning, reduce workload, and bring more joy into your classrooms, Exceed is the clear choice.