Early Experiences Matter--whether at home with family, childcare, preschool, kindergarten, primary grades, neighborhood and community. The importance of high quality early childhood experiences that are research based is the foundation for school success and lifelong learning. VELS make explicit the goals for each and every child’s learning and development from birth through grade 3. Think of VELS as a road map that helps to guide understanding of what a child may know and do across the early learning years.