Based on the belief that all children have a right to quality care and education, early childhood best practices, and trained staff/providers, this guide details quality standards for early care and education programs in West Virginia, developed through the Early Education Quality Improvement Project (EQUIP). The standards are voluntary and not licensing regulations; rather, the standards guide is designed for use as a self-assessment tool to enable staff/providers and parents to assess how well their program is meeting quality standards, and to develop a plan for continuous improvement. The guide is based on the National Association for the Education of Young Children's Developmentally Appropriate Practice, Birth-8 and Accreditation Criteria, and Procedures of the National Academy of Early Childhood Programs. Following an introduction describing the Quality Improvement Project mission and goals, directions for use, and a glossary of terms, nine sections present the essential elements of early childhood program quality: (1) positive relationships; (2) family involvement; (3) program for child development and learning; (4) staff professionalism; (5) safe, healthy learning environments; (6) health promotion; (7) inclusive practices; (8) effective administration and business practices; and (9) continuity for children and families. Each section describes the rationale for the particular element and states the quality standard(s) (with examples if necessary), the indicators for each standard, the evaluation result, its priority for change, program needs, and notes/comments. Appended is a description of the West Virginia Career Pathway Levels and a form for the continuous improvement plan. (KB)