--- title: "Florida’s Early Learning Standards" id: "22315" type: "page" slug: "florida" published_at: "2026-05-29T00:59:18+00:00" modified_at: "2026-05-29T00:59:19+00:00" url: "https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/florida/" markdown_url: "https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/florida.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 → Florida framework overview Florida’s Early Learning and Developmental..." taxonomy_language: - "English" --- [Brightwheel](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/) › [Early Learning Standards](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/) › [Florida](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/florida/) › Florida’s Early Learning Standards # Florida’s Early Learning Standards ## Florida’s Early Learning and Developmental Standards: The official early learning 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/) Florida framework overview## Florida’s Early Learning and Developmental Standards: The official early learning framework Florida’s early learning standards are organized under the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards (FELDS), Birth to Kindergarten. Adopted in Florida Administrative Code Rule 6M-4.700 (December 2017) and administered by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Division of Early Learning, FELDS applies to all licensed childcare and development programs serving children from birth through kindergarten entry, including programs funded through the School Readiness (SR) program and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program. Florida SR and VPK providers are required to use a curriculum aligned to FELDS and demonstrate alignment during contract monitoring and quality reviews. Programs can view current guidance at the [FLDOE Early Learning Standards page](https://www.fldoe.org/schools/early-learning/providers/dev-standards.stml) . Framework name Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards Administered by Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) Age range covered Birth through kindergarten entry Florida Gold Seal & School Readiness Quality Assessment Florida uses two related quality systems. The **Gold Seal Quality Care Program**, administered by the Florida Department of Children and Families, recognizes programs with national accreditation and may increase School Readiness reimbursement rates. Separately, all SR-funded programs must pass a **CLASS-based School Readiness Program Assessment** — receiving a composite score of at least 4.0 across infant, toddler, and preschool classrooms — to maintain their SR contract. Programs scoring 4.5 or above receive quality reimbursement differentials. Using a research-based curriculum formally aligned to Florida’s FELDS supports both Gold Seal accreditation documentation and strong CLASS performance in the learning environment. Explore by developmental domain## Florida’s early learning standards domains and Experience Curriculum alignment Select a developmental domain below to see how Florida’s early learning standards define that domain, key milestones by age group, and how Experience Curriculum activities and skills map to each indicator. [Social-Emotional DevelopmentSelf-regulation, peer relationships, identity, empathy, and emotional expressionExplore Florida Social-Emotional Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/florida/social-emotional/) [Language & LiteracyReceptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, early reading and writingExplore Florida Language & Literacy standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/florida/language-literacy/) [Mathematics & ReasoningNumber sense, patterns, measurement, spatial reasoning, and early problem-solvingExplore Florida Mathematics & Reasoning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/florida/mathematics/) [Physical DevelopmentGross and fine motor skills, body awareness, health, and self-careExplore Florida Physical Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/florida/physical-development/) [ScienceObservation, inquiry, cause-and-effect, and exploration of the natural worldExplore Florida Science standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/florida/science/) [Social StudiesCommunity, family, cultural identity, roles, and civic understandingExplore Florida Social Studies standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/florida/social-studies/) [Creative ArtsVisual arts, music, movement, dramatic play, and creative expressionExplore Florida Creative Arts standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/florida/creative-arts/) [Approaches to LearningCuriosity, persistence, initiative, flexibility, and attentionExplore Florida Approaches to Learning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/florida/approaches-to-learning/) Curriculum alignment## How Experience Curriculum aligns to Florida’s Early Learning and Developmental Standards Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Florida’s Early Learning and Developmental Standards 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 Florida Alignment PDF documents how every Experience Curriculum activity and skill maps to a specific Florida standard and developmental indicator. For Florida programs using brightwheel, developmental observations can be logged directly in the app during or after activities, automatically building each child’s portfolio and supporting documentation requirements for School Readiness and Gold Seal Quality Care reviews. Download the alignment PDF The [Florida Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Florida_Experience-2025-Alignment.pdf) is a free resource that maps every Experience Curriculum activity to Florida’s Early Learning and Developmental Standards. It provides ready documentation for School Readiness contract monitoring, licensing visits, and Gold Seal Quality Care accreditation submissions. Frequently asked questions## Common questions about Florida’s early learning standards What is Florida’s official early learning framework? Florida uses the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards (Birth–Kindergarten) as its official framework, administered by the Florida Department of Education (FLDOE) in partnership with the Office of Early Learning. The standards define developmental expectations across 8 domains from birth through kindergarten entry and guide curriculum planning, developmental screening, and program quality in licensed childcare centers and family childcare homes statewide. Is Experience Curriculum aligned to Florida’s early learning standards? Yes. Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Florida’s Early Learning and Developmental Standards 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 Florida Alignment PDF maps every Experience Curriculum activity to the specific Florida standard it addresses, providing ready documentation for licensing visits and School Readiness program reviews. Does Florida have a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)? Yes. Florida’s QRIS is called the Gold Seal Quality Care Program, administered by the Florida Department of Children and Families. Programs that earn Gold Seal designation demonstrate a higher standard of care and may receive increased School Readiness reimbursement rates. Using a research-based curriculum formally aligned to Florida’s Early Learning and Developmental Standards — like Experience Curriculum — supports Gold Seal accreditation documentation. Which Florida programs are required to follow the Early Learning and Developmental Standards? Programs participating in Florida’s School Readiness (SR) program and Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Education Program are required to use a curriculum aligned to the Florida Early Learning and Developmental Standards. SR and VPK providers must demonstrate standards alignment during contract monitoring and quality reviews. Private programs not receiving state funding are not mandated to follow the standards but many adopt them as a best practice. ## See Experience Curriculum in your Florida program Research-based, state-aligned curriculum delivered to your door every month. [Get a free tour](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/experience-curriculum/)