--- title: "California’s Early Learning Standards" id: "22318" type: "page" slug: "california" published_at: "2026-05-29T01:05:41+00:00" modified_at: "2026-05-29T01:05:41+00:00" url: "https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/california/" markdown_url: "https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/california.md" excerpt: "Standards-alignedAll 8 domains coveredNAEYC & Head Start aligned Browse other states Arizona Colorado Georgia Illinois Indiana Michigan Minnesota Missouri New York North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania Texas Virginia View all 50 states → California framework overview California’s DRDP: The official early..." taxonomy_language: - "English" --- [Brightwheel](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/) › [Early Learning Standards](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/) › [California](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/california/) › California's Early Learning Standards # California’s Early Learning Standards ## California’s DRDP: The official early learning standards framework — all 8 developmental domains and how Experience Curriculum aligns to each one. Standards-alignedAll 8 domains coveredNAEYC & Head Start aligned Browse other states [Arizona](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/arizona/) [Colorado](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/colorado/) [Georgia](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/georgia/) [Illinois](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/illinois/) [Indiana](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/indiana/) [Michigan](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/michigan/) [Minnesota](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/minnesota/) [Missouri](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/missouri/) [New York](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/new-york/) [North Carolina](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/north-carolina/) [Ohio](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/ohio/) [Pennsylvania](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/pennsylvania/) [Texas](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/texas/) [Virginia](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/virginia/) [View all 50 states →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/) California framework overview## California’s DRDP: The official early learning standards framework California’s early learning standards are organized under the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP), a comprehensive observation-based assessment tool developed and maintained by the California Department of Education (CDE). The DRDP applies to all licensed childcare and development programs serving children from birth through kindergarten entry, and is used by programs funded through the California State Preschool Program (CSPP), Head Start, and Title 22-licensed centers. A significant update — the DRDP (2025) — is currently in early adoption phase across California, representing a developmental continuum from infancy through grade three. Programs can view current guidance on the [CDE’s official DRDP page](https://www.cde.ca.gov/sp/cd/ci/desiredresults.asp) . Framework name Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) Administered by California Department of Education (CDE) Age range covered Birth through kindergarten entry (DRDP 2025: birth through grade 3) Quality Counts California California’s Quality Rating and Improvement System is called Quality Counts California (QCC). Programs using a research-based, DRDP-aligned curriculum with embedded observation tools and family engagement materials typically score higher in the Curriculum and Learning Environment domain of the QCC rating rubric. Explore by developmental domain## California’s DRDP domains and Experience Curriculum alignment Select a developmental domain below to see how California’s DRDP defines that domain, the key milestones by age group, and exactly how Experience Curriculum activities and skills map to each DRDP indicator. [Social-Emotional DevelopmentSelf-regulation, peer relationships, identity, empathy, and emotional expressionExplore California Social-Emotional Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/california/social-emotional/) [Language & LiteracyReceptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, early reading and writingExplore California Language & Literacy standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/california/language-literacy/) [Mathematics & ReasoningNumber sense, patterns, measurement, spatial reasoning, and early problem-solvingExplore California Mathematics & Reasoning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/california/mathematics/) [Physical DevelopmentGross and fine motor skills, body awareness, health, and self-careExplore California Physical Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/california/physical-development/) [ScienceObservation, inquiry, cause-and-effect, and exploration of the natural worldExplore California Science standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/california/science/) [Social StudiesCommunity, family, cultural identity, roles, and civic understandingExplore California Social Studies standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/california/social-studies/) [Creative ArtsVisual arts, music, movement, dramatic play, and creative expressionExplore California Creative Arts standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/california/creative-arts/) [Approaches to LearningCuriosity, persistence, initiative, flexibility, and attentionExplore California Approaches to Learning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/california/approaches-to-learning/) Curriculum alignment## How Experience Curriculum aligns to California’s DRDP Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to California’s DRDP across all three age bands — Baby (birth to 18 months), Toddler (18 to 36 months), and Preschool (3 to 5 years) — and all 8 developmental domains. The [California Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/MGT_California_DRDP_Align.pdf) documents how every Experience Curriculum activity and skill maps to a specific DRDP measure and developmental level. For California programs using brightwheel, DRDP observations can be logged directly in the app during or after activities, automatically building each child’s portfolio and supporting QRIS documentation requirements under Quality Counts California. Download the alignment PDF The [California DRDP Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/05/MGT_California_DRDP_Align.pdf) is a free resource accepted by CDSS-licensed programs as curriculum alignment documentation and suitable for QRIS review submissions. Frequently asked questions## Common questions about California’s early learning standards What is California’s official early learning standards framework? California uses the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP) as its primary early learning standards and assessment framework. Administered by the California Department of Education (CDE), the DRDP applies to licensed childcare and development programs from birth through kindergarten entry. The DRDP (2025) is currently in early adoption and extends the continuum through grade three. Is Experience Curriculum aligned to California’s DRDP? Yes. Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to California’s DRDP across all age bands (Baby, Toddler, and Preschool) and all 8 developmental domains. The California Alignment PDF maps every Experience Curriculum activity and skill to the specific DRDP measure and developmental level it supports — and is accepted by CDSS-licensed programs as curriculum alignment documentation for QRIS review submissions. Does California have a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)? Yes. California’s QRIS is called Quality Counts California (QCC). QCC assesses program quality across multiple domains including curriculum and learning environment, family engagement, and staff qualifications. Using a research-based, DRDP-aligned curriculum like Experience Curriculum supports higher QCC ratings in the curriculum domain. Contact your local Child Care Resource and Referral agency for specific QCC requirements. What childcare programs in California are required to use the DRDP? California State Preschool Program (CSPP) contractors, Head Start programs, and programs receiving other CDE early education funding are required to use the DRDP for developmental documentation. Title 22-licensed programs not receiving CDE funding are not mandated to use the DRDP, though many choose to as a best practice and to support QRIS documentation under Quality Counts California. ## See Experience Curriculum in your California program Research-based, state-aligned curriculum delivered to your door every month. [Get a free tour](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/experience-curriculum/)