--- title: "Massachusetts’s Early Learning Standards" id: "22345" type: "page" slug: "massachusetts" published_at: "2026-05-29T16:59:53+00:00" modified_at: "2026-05-29T16:59:53+00:00" url: "https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/massachusetts/" markdown_url: "https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/massachusetts.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 → Massachusetts framework overview Massachusetts’s Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines:..." taxonomy_language: - "English" --- [Brightwheel](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/) › [Early Learning Standards](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/) › [Massachusetts](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/massachusetts/) › Massachusetts’s Early Learning Standards # Massachusetts’s Early Learning Standards ## Massachusetts’s Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines: 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/) Massachusetts framework overview## Massachusetts’s Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines: The official early learning standards framework Massachusetts’ early learning standards are organized under two documents: the Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers (2010/2011) and the Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences (updated November 2019), both administered by the Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC). Together they apply to licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, and state-funded preschool programs serving children from birth through kindergarten entry. Massachusetts’ Guidelines define developmental expectations across all 8 domains and guide curriculum planning, developmental assessment, and program quality. Programs can view current guidance at the [EEC Learning Standards page](https://mass.gov/eec-learning-standards-and-curriculum-guidelines) . Framework name Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers + Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences Administered by Massachusetts Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) Age range covered Birth through kindergarten entry Quality Improvement Massachusetts’ formal QRIS (MA CQIS) is currently paused while EEC develops an updated continuous quality improvement system. EEC Program Quality Specialists continue to be available to support programs’ continuous quality improvement efforts. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to Massachusetts’ Early Learning Guidelines supports ongoing quality improvement and licensing compliance. Explore by developmental domain## Massachusetts’s Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines domains and Experience Curriculum alignment Select a developmental domain below to see how Massachusetts’s Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines defines that domain, the key milestones by age group, and exactly how Experience Curriculum activities and skills map to each Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines indicator. [Social-Emotional DevelopmentSelf-regulation, peer relationships, identity, empathy, and emotional expressionExplore Massachusetts Social-Emotional Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/massachusetts/social-emotional/) [Language & LiteracyReceptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, early reading and writingExplore Massachusetts Language & Literacy standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/massachusetts/language-literacy/) [Mathematics & ReasoningNumber sense, patterns, measurement, spatial reasoning, and early problem-solvingExplore Massachusetts Mathematics & Reasoning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/massachusetts/mathematics/) [ScienceObservation, inquiry, cause-and-effect, and exploration of the natural worldExplore Massachusetts Science standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/massachusetts/science/) [Social StudiesCommunity, family, cultural identity, roles, and civic understandingExplore Massachusetts Social Studies standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/massachusetts/social-studies/) [Creative ArtsVisual arts, music, movement, dramatic play, and creative expressionExplore Massachusetts Creative Arts standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/massachusetts/creative-arts/) [Physical DevelopmentGross and fine motor skills, body awareness, health, and self-careExplore Massachusetts Physical Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/massachusetts/physical-development/) [Approaches to LearningCuriosity, persistence, initiative, flexibility, and attentionExplore Massachusetts Approaches to Learning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/massachusetts/approaches-to-learning/) Curriculum alignment## How Experience Curriculum aligns to Massachusetts’s Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Massachusetts’s Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines 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 [Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Massachusetts_Experience-2025-Alignment.pdf) documents how every Experience Curriculum activity and skill maps to a specific Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines indicator. For Massachusetts programs using brightwheel, developmental observations can be logged directly in the app during or after activities, automatically building each child’s portfolio and supporting Quality Improvement curriculum documentation requirements. Download the alignment PDF The [Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Massachusetts_Experience-2025-Alignment.pdf) is a free resource documenting how every Experience Curriculum activity maps to Massachusetts’s Massachusetts Early Learning Guidelines indicators — suitable for QRIS review submissions and licensing documentation. Frequently asked questions## Common questions about Massachusetts’s early learning standards What is Massachusetts’ official early learning framework? Massachusetts uses two documents administered by the Department of Early Education and Care (EEC) as its early learning framework: the Early Learning Guidelines for Infants and Toddlers (2010/2011) and the Guidelines for Preschool Learning Experiences (updated November 2019). Together they cover all 8 developmental domains from birth through kindergarten entry. Is Experience Curriculum aligned to Massachusetts’ Early Learning Guidelines? Yes. Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Massachusetts’ Early Learning Guidelines across all age bands (Baby, Toddler, and Preschool) and all 8 developmental domains. The Massachusetts Alignment PDF maps every Experience Curriculum activity to the specific guideline indicator it supports, providing documentation for EEC licensing reviews and quality improvement. Does Massachusetts have a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)? Massachusetts’ formal QRIS (MA CQIS) is currently paused while EEC develops an updated continuous quality improvement system. EEC Program Quality Specialists continue to be available to support programs. Quality funding has been incorporated into base Child Care Financial Assistance rates as of 2024. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to Massachusetts’ Early Learning Guidelines supports ongoing quality improvement efforts. Which Massachusetts programs are required to follow the Early Learning Guidelines? Licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, and programs receiving state early education funding from EEC are expected to use a curriculum aligned to Massachusetts’ Early Learning Guidelines. ## See Experience Curriculum in your Massachusetts program Research-based, state-aligned curriculum delivered to your door every month. [Get a free tour](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/experience-curriculum/)