--- title: "Indiana’s Early Learning Standards" id: "22339" type: "page" slug: "indiana" published_at: "2026-05-29T16:59:32+00:00" modified_at: "2026-05-29T16:59:32+00:00" url: "https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/indiana/" markdown_url: "https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/indiana.md" excerpt: "Standards-alignedAll 8 domains coveredNAEYC & Head Start aligned Browse other states Arizona Colorado Florida Georgia Illinois Michigan Minnesota Missouri New York North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania Texas Virginia View all 51 states → Indiana framework overview Indiana’s Indiana Early Learning Foundations:..." taxonomy_language: - "English" --- [Brightwheel](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/) › [Early Learning Standards](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/) › [Indiana](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/indiana/) › Indiana’s Early Learning Standards # Indiana’s Early Learning Standards ## Indiana’s Indiana Early Learning Foundations: 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/) [Florida](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/florida/) [Georgia](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/georgia/) [Illinois](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/illinois/) [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 51 states →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/) Indiana framework overview## Indiana’s Indiana Early Learning Foundations: The official early learning standards framework Indiana’s early learning standards are organized under the Indiana Early Learning Foundations, administered by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA). The Foundations apply to licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, state-funded preschool programs, and Head Start programs serving children from birth through kindergarten entry statewide. Indiana’s Early Learning Foundations define developmental expectations across all 8 domains and guide curriculum planning, developmental assessment, and program quality. Programs can view current guidance at the [Indiana Department of Education Early Childhood page](https://doe.in.gov) . Framework name Indiana Early Learning Foundations Administered by Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA) Age range covered Birth through kindergarten entry Paths to Quality Indiana’s QRIS is called Paths to Quality, a voluntary statewide system administered by FSSA. Paths to Quality uses a four-level block rating structure evaluating programs on Professional Development, Program Administration, Environment and Instruction, and Accreditation. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to Indiana’s Early Learning Foundations supports higher Paths to Quality ratings. Explore by developmental domain## Indiana’s Indiana Early Learning Foundations domains and Experience Curriculum alignment Select a developmental domain below to see how Indiana’s Indiana Early Learning Foundations defines that domain, the key milestones by age group, and exactly how Experience Curriculum activities and skills map to each Indiana Early Learning Foundations indicator. [Social-Emotional DevelopmentSelf-regulation, peer relationships, identity, empathy, and emotional expressionExplore Indiana Social-Emotional Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/indiana/social-emotional/) [Language & LiteracyReceptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, early reading and writingExplore Indiana Language & Literacy standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/indiana/language-literacy/) [Mathematics & ReasoningNumber sense, patterns, measurement, spatial reasoning, and early problem-solvingExplore Indiana Mathematics & Reasoning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/indiana/mathematics/) [ScienceObservation, inquiry, cause-and-effect, and exploration of the natural worldExplore Indiana Science standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/indiana/science/) [Social StudiesCommunity, family, cultural identity, roles, and civic understandingExplore Indiana Social Studies standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/indiana/social-studies/) [Creative ArtsVisual arts, music, movement, dramatic play, and creative expressionExplore Indiana Creative Arts standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/indiana/creative-arts/) [Physical DevelopmentGross and fine motor skills, body awareness, health, and self-careExplore Indiana Physical Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/indiana/physical-development/) [Approaches to LearningCuriosity, persistence, initiative, flexibility, and attentionExplore Indiana Approaches to Learning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/indiana/approaches-to-learning/) Curriculum alignment## How Experience Curriculum aligns to Indiana’s Indiana Early Learning Foundations Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Indiana’s Indiana Early Learning Foundations 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 [Indiana Early Learning Foundations Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Indiana_Experience-2025-Alignment.pdf) documents how every Experience Curriculum activity and skill maps to a specific Indiana Early Learning Foundations indicator. For Indiana programs using brightwheel, developmental observations can be logged directly in the app during or after activities, automatically building each child’s portfolio and supporting Paths to Quality curriculum documentation requirements. Download the alignment PDF The [Indiana Early Learning Foundations Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Indiana_Experience-2025-Alignment.pdf) is a free resource documenting how every Experience Curriculum activity maps to Indiana’s Indiana Early Learning Foundations indicators — suitable for QRIS review submissions and licensing documentation. Frequently asked questions## Common questions about Indiana’s early learning standards What is Indiana’s official early learning framework? Indiana uses the Indiana Early Learning Foundations, administered by the Indiana Family and Social Services Administration (FSSA), as its official early learning framework. The Foundations cover all 8 developmental domains from birth through kindergarten entry and apply to licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, state-funded preschool programs, and Head Start programs statewide. Is Experience Curriculum aligned to Indiana’s Early Learning Foundations? Yes. Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Indiana’s Early Learning Foundations across all age bands (Baby, Toddler, and Preschool) and all 8 developmental domains. The Indiana Alignment PDF maps every Experience Curriculum activity to the specific Foundations indicator it supports, providing documentation for Paths to Quality reviews and licensing visits. Does Indiana have a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)? Yes. Indiana’s QRIS is called Paths to Quality, a voluntary statewide system administered by FSSA. Paths to Quality uses a four-level block rating structure and evaluates programs on professional development, program administration, environment and instruction, and accreditation. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to Indiana’s Early Learning Foundations supports higher Paths to Quality ratings. Which Indiana programs are required to follow the Early Learning Foundations? Licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, and programs receiving CCDF subsidy funding in Indiana are expected to use a curriculum aligned to the Early Learning Foundations. Programs participating in Paths to Quality must meet additional quality standards including curriculum alignment. ## See Experience Curriculum in your Indiana program Research-based, state-aligned curriculum delivered to your door every month. [Get a free tour](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/experience-curriculum/)