--- title: "Maine’s Early Learning Standards" id: "22346" type: "page" slug: "maine" published_at: "2026-05-29T16:59:30+00:00" modified_at: "2026-05-29T16:59:30+00:00" url: "https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/maine/" markdown_url: "https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/maine.md" excerpt: "Standards-alignedAll 8 domains coveredNAEYC & Head Start aligned Browse other states Arizona Colorado Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Michigan Minnesota Missouri New York North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania Texas View all 51 states → Maine framework overview Maine’s MELDS: The official early..." taxonomy_language: - "English" --- [Brightwheel](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/) › [Early Learning Standards](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/) › [Maine](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/maine/) › Maine’s Early Learning Standards # Maine’s Early Learning Standards ## Maine’s MELDS: 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/) [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/) [View all 51 states →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/) Maine framework overview## Maine’s MELDS: The official early learning standards framework Maine’s early learning standards are organized under the Maine Early Learning and Development Standards (MELDS), administered by the Maine Department of Education (MDOE). Two documents cover the full age span: the Infant/Toddler MELDS and the Preschool MELDS (P-MELDS). Together they apply to licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, state-funded preschool programs, and Head Start programs serving children from birth through kindergarten entry. MELDS defines developmental expectations across all 8 domains and guides curriculum planning, developmental assessment, and program quality statewide. Programs can view current guidance at the [Maine DOE Early Learning Standards page](https://maine.gov/doe/learning/earlychildhood/standards) . Framework name Maine Early Learning and Development Standards (MELDS) Administered by Maine Department of Education (MDOE) Age range covered Birth through kindergarten entry Rising Stars for ME Maine’s QRIS is called Rising Stars for ME, a five-star program administered through Maine DHHS. Programs earning higher star ratings receive increased reimbursement rates from the Maine Child Care Subsidy program. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to Maine’s MELDS supports higher Rising Stars ratings in the child development and learning environment domains. Explore by developmental domain## Maine’s MELDS domains and Experience Curriculum alignment Select a developmental domain below to see how Maine’s MELDS defines that domain, the key milestones by age group, and exactly how Experience Curriculum activities and skills map to each MELDS indicator. [Social-Emotional DevelopmentSelf-regulation, peer relationships, identity, empathy, and emotional expressionExplore Maine Social-Emotional Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/maine/social-emotional/) [Language & LiteracyReceptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, early reading and writingExplore Maine Language & Literacy standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/maine/language-literacy/) [Mathematics & ReasoningNumber sense, patterns, measurement, spatial reasoning, and early problem-solvingExplore Maine Mathematics & Reasoning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/maine/mathematics/) [ScienceObservation, inquiry, cause-and-effect, and exploration of the natural worldExplore Maine Science standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/maine/science/) [Social StudiesCommunity, family, cultural identity, roles, and civic understandingExplore Maine Social Studies standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/maine/social-studies/) [Creative ArtsVisual arts, music, movement, dramatic play, and creative expressionExplore Maine Creative Arts standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/maine/creative-arts/) [Physical DevelopmentGross and fine motor skills, body awareness, health, and self-careExplore Maine Physical Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/maine/physical-development/) [Approaches to LearningCuriosity, persistence, initiative, flexibility, and attentionExplore Maine Approaches to Learning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/maine/approaches-to-learning/) Curriculum alignment## How Experience Curriculum aligns to Maine’s MELDS Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Maine’s MELDS 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 [Maine MELDS Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/MaineEarlyLearning.pdf) documents how every Experience Curriculum activity and skill maps to a specific MELDS indicator. For Maine programs using brightwheel, developmental observations can be logged directly in the app during or after activities, automatically building each child’s portfolio and supporting Rising Stars for ME curriculum documentation requirements. Download the alignment PDF The [Maine MELDS Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/MaineEarlyLearning.pdf) is a free resource documenting how every Experience Curriculum activity maps to Maine’s MELDS indicators — suitable for QRIS review submissions and licensing documentation. Frequently asked questions## Common questions about Maine’s early learning standards What is Maine’s official early learning framework? Maine uses the Maine Early Learning and Development Standards (MELDS), administered by the Maine Department of Education (MDOE), as its official early learning framework. Two documents cover the full age span: the Infant/Toddler MELDS and the Preschool MELDS (P-MELDS). Together they cover all 8 developmental domains from birth through kindergarten entry. Is Experience Curriculum aligned to Maine’s MELDS? Yes. Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Maine’s MELDS across all age bands (Baby, Toddler, and Preschool) and all 8 developmental domains. The Maine Alignment PDF maps every Experience Curriculum activity to the specific MELDS indicator it supports, providing documentation for Rising Stars for ME reviews and licensing visits. Does Maine have a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)? Yes. Maine’s QRIS is called Rising Stars for ME, a five-star program administered through Maine DHHS. Programs earning higher star ratings receive increased subsidy reimbursement rates from Maine’s Child Care Subsidy program. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to Maine’s MELDS supports higher Rising Stars ratings. Which Maine programs are required to follow the MELDS? Licensed childcare programs and state-funded preschool programs in Maine are expected to use a curriculum aligned to MELDS. Programs participating in Rising Stars for ME and those accepting Maine Child Care Subsidy funding are evaluated on curriculum quality. ## See Experience Curriculum in your Maine program Research-based, state-aligned curriculum delivered to your door every month. [Get a free tour](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/experience-curriculum/)