This book contains detailed descriptions of forty programs in early childhood education. Programs are innovative in the sense that each respresents new departures and approaches for the implementing school systems. The book contains two main sections: Section I, Innovative Programs in Early Childhood Education, and Section II, Resources Section, which includes an overview of the field of early childhood education and fourteen excerpts from materials provided by schools with exemplary programs. Also included are a glossary, a table of descriptor terms, some sources of information on early childhood education, and a selected bibliography. (SBT)