---
title: "Ohio’s Early Learning Standards"
id: "22324"
type: "page"
slug: "ohio"
published_at: "2026-05-29T04:11:05+00:00"
modified_at: "2026-05-29T04:11:05+00:00"
url: "https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/ohio/"
markdown_url: "https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/ohio.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 Pennsylvania Texas Virginia View all 51 states → Ohio framework overview Ohio’s Ohio ELDS: The official..."
taxonomy_language:
  - "English"
---

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 › Ohio’s Early Learning Standards

# Ohio’s Early Learning Standards

## Ohio’s Ohio ELDS: 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/)
[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/)

Ohio framework overview## Ohio’s Ohio ELDS: The official early learning standards framework

Ohio’s early learning standards are organized under Ohio’s Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS), jointly administered by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) and the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY). Ohio’s ELDS applies to all licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, publicly funded child care (PFCC) programs, and Head Start programs serving children from birth through kindergarten entry.

Ohio’s ELDS defines developmental expectations across all 8 domains and guides curriculum planning, developmental assessment, and program quality statewide. Programs can view current guidance at the [Ohio DEW Early Learning Content Standards page](https://education.ohio.gov/Topics/Early-Learning/Early-Learning-Content-Standards)
.

Framework name

Ohio’s Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS) — Birth to Kindergarten

Administered by

Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) and Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY)

Age range covered

Birth through kindergarten entry

Step Up To Quality (SUTQ)

Ohio’s QRIS is called Step Up To Quality (SUTQ), a five-star quality rating and improvement system administered by Ohio DEW and DCY. SUTQ evaluates programs across a single inclusive quality framework for all program types. Programs licensed to serve publicly funded children are required to participate. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to Ohio’s ELDS supports higher SUTQ ratings.

Explore by developmental domain## Ohio’s Ohio ELDS domains and Experience Curriculum alignment

Select a developmental domain below to see how Ohio’s Ohio ELDS defines that domain, the key milestones by age group, and exactly how Experience Curriculum activities and skills map to each Ohio ELDS indicator.

[Social-Emotional DevelopmentSelf-regulation, peer relationships, identity, empathy, and emotional expressionExplore Ohio Social-Emotional Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/ohio/social-emotional/)
[Language & LiteracyReceptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, early reading and writingExplore Ohio Language & Literacy standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/ohio/language-literacy/)
[Mathematics & ReasoningNumber sense, patterns, measurement, spatial reasoning, and early problem-solvingExplore Ohio Mathematics & Reasoning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/ohio/mathematics/)
[ScienceObservation, inquiry, cause-and-effect, and exploration of the natural worldExplore Ohio Science standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/ohio/science/)
[Social StudiesCommunity, family, cultural identity, roles, and civic understandingExplore Ohio Social Studies standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/ohio/social-studies/)
[Creative ArtsVisual arts, music, movement, dramatic play, and creative expressionExplore Ohio Creative Arts standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/ohio/creative-arts/)
[Physical DevelopmentGross and fine motor skills, body awareness, health, and self-careExplore Ohio Physical Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/ohio/physical-development/)
[Approaches to LearningCuriosity, persistence, initiative, flexibility, and attentionExplore Ohio Approaches to Learning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/ohio/approaches-to-learning/)

Curriculum alignment## How Experience Curriculum aligns to Ohio’s Ohio ELDS

Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Ohio’s Ohio ELDS 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 [Ohio ELDS Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Ohio_Experience-2025-Alignment.pdf)
 documents how every Experience Curriculum activity and skill maps to a specific Ohio ELDS indicator.

For Ohio programs using brightwheel, developmental observations can be logged directly in the app during or after activities, automatically building each child’s portfolio and supporting Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) curriculum documentation requirements.

Download the alignment PDF

The [Ohio ELDS Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Ohio_Experience-2025-Alignment.pdf)
 is a free resource documenting how every Experience Curriculum activity maps to Ohio’s Ohio ELDS indicators — suitable for QRIS review submissions and licensing documentation.

Frequently asked questions## Common questions about Ohio’s early learning standards

What is Ohio’s official early learning framework?

Ohio uses the Ohio Early Learning and Development Standards (ELDS), jointly administered by the Ohio Department of Education and Workforce (DEW) and the Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY), as its official early learning framework. Ohio’s ELDS covers all 8 developmental domains from birth through kindergarten entry and applies to licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, publicly funded child care (PFCC) programs, and Head Start programs statewide.

Is Experience Curriculum aligned to Ohio’s ELDS?

Yes. Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Ohio’s ELDS across all age bands (Baby, Toddler, and Preschool) and all 8 developmental domains. The Ohio Alignment PDF maps every Experience Curriculum activity to the specific Ohio ELDS indicator it supports, providing documentation for Step Up To Quality (SUTQ) reviews and licensing visits.

Does Ohio have a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)?

Yes. Ohio’s QRIS is called Step Up To Quality (SUTQ), a five-star system administered by Ohio DEW and DCY. Programs licensed to serve publicly funded children are required to participate in SUTQ. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to Ohio’s ELDS supports higher SUTQ ratings.

Which Ohio programs are required to follow the ELDS?

All programs licensed to serve publicly funded children in Ohio are required to participate in SUTQ, where curriculum alignment to Ohio’s ELDS is a key quality indicator. Publicly funded child care (PFCC) programs and Head Start programs are required to demonstrate standards alignment.

## See Experience Curriculum in your Ohio program

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[Get a free tour](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/experience-curriculum/)