--- title: "Tennessee’s Early Learning Standards" id: "22363" type: "page" slug: "tennessee" published_at: "2026-05-29T16:57:38+00:00" modified_at: "2026-05-29T16:57:38+00:00" url: "https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/tennessee/" markdown_url: "https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/tennessee.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 → Tennessee framework overview Tennessee’s TN-ELDS: The official early..." taxonomy_language: - "English" --- [Brightwheel](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/) › [Early Learning Standards](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/) › [Tennessee](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/tennessee/) › Tennessee’s Early Learning Standards # Tennessee’s Early Learning Standards ## Tennessee’s TN-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/) [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/) Tennessee framework overview## Tennessee’s TN-ELDS: The official early learning standards framework Tennessee’s early learning standards are organized under the Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards (TN-ELDS), administered by the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS). Two documents cover the full age span: TN-ELDS for birth through 48 months, and the Revised TN-ELDS for 4-Year-Olds (2018 revision). Together they apply to licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, and Head Start programs serving children from birth through age 4. TN-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 [Tennessee TDHS Early Learning Standards page](https://tn.gov/education/districts/academic-standards/early-learning-development-standards.html) . Framework name Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards (TN-ELDS) Administered by Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS) Age range covered Birth through age 4 Tennessee Star Quality Tennessee’s QRIS is called Tennessee Star Quality (also known as the Star-Quality Child Care Program), administered by TDHS. Centers earn 1 to 3 stars based on program quality, staff qualifications, and family engagement. Higher star ratings qualify for significantly increased subsidy reimbursement rates. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to Tennessee’s TN-ELDS supports higher Star Quality ratings. Explore by developmental domain## Tennessee’s TN-ELDS domains and Experience Curriculum alignment Select a developmental domain below to see how Tennessee’s TN-ELDS defines that domain, the key milestones by age group, and exactly how Experience Curriculum activities and skills map to each TN-ELDS indicator. [Social-Emotional DevelopmentSelf-regulation, peer relationships, identity, empathy, and emotional expressionExplore Tennessee Social-Emotional Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/tennessee/social-emotional/) [Language & LiteracyReceptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, early reading and writingExplore Tennessee Language & Literacy standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/tennessee/language-literacy/) [Mathematics & ReasoningNumber sense, patterns, measurement, spatial reasoning, and early problem-solvingExplore Tennessee Mathematics & Reasoning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/tennessee/mathematics/) [ScienceObservation, inquiry, cause-and-effect, and exploration of the natural worldExplore Tennessee Science standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/tennessee/science/) [Social StudiesCommunity, family, cultural identity, roles, and civic understandingExplore Tennessee Social Studies standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/tennessee/social-studies/) [Creative ArtsVisual arts, music, movement, dramatic play, and creative expressionExplore Tennessee Creative Arts standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/tennessee/creative-arts/) [Physical DevelopmentGross and fine motor skills, body awareness, health, and self-careExplore Tennessee Physical Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/tennessee/physical-development/) [Approaches to LearningCuriosity, persistence, initiative, flexibility, and attentionExplore Tennessee Approaches to Learning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/tennessee/approaches-to-learning/) Curriculum alignment## How Experience Curriculum aligns to Tennessee’s TN-ELDS Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Tennessee’s TN-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 [Tennessee TN-ELDS Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Tennessee_Experience-2025-Alignment.pdf) documents how every Experience Curriculum activity and skill maps to a specific TN-ELDS indicator. For Tennessee programs using brightwheel, developmental observations can be logged directly in the app during or after activities, automatically building each child’s portfolio and supporting Tennessee Star Quality curriculum documentation requirements. Download the alignment PDF The [Tennessee TN-ELDS Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Tennessee_Experience-2025-Alignment.pdf) is a free resource documenting how every Experience Curriculum activity maps to Tennessee’s TN-ELDS indicators — suitable for QRIS review submissions and licensing documentation. Frequently asked questions## Common questions about Tennessee’s early learning standards What is Tennessee’s official early learning framework? Tennessee uses the Tennessee Early Learning Developmental Standards (TN-ELDS), administered by the Tennessee Department of Human Services (TDHS), as its official early learning framework. Two documents cover the full age span: TN-ELDS for birth through 48 months, and the Revised TN-ELDS for 4-Year-Olds (2018 revision). Note: “Developmental” is part of the official title — TN-ELDS, not TN-ELS. Is Experience Curriculum aligned to Tennessee’s TN-ELDS? Yes. Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Tennessee’s TN-ELDS across all age bands (Baby, Toddler, and Preschool) and all 8 developmental domains. The Tennessee Alignment PDF maps every Experience Curriculum activity to the specific TN-ELDS indicator it supports, providing documentation for Tennessee Star Quality reviews and licensing visits. Does Tennessee have a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)? Yes. Tennessee’s QRIS is called Tennessee Star Quality, administered by TDHS. Centers earn 1 to 3 stars based on program quality, staff qualifications, and family engagement. Higher star ratings qualify for significantly increased subsidy reimbursement rates. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to Tennessee’s TN-ELDS supports higher Star Quality ratings. Which Tennessee programs are required to follow the TN-ELDS? Licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, and programs receiving CCDF subsidy funding in Tennessee are expected to use a curriculum aligned to the TN-ELDS. Head Start programs must additionally meet federal Head Start Program Performance Standards. ## See Experience Curriculum in your Tennessee program Research-based, state-aligned curriculum delivered to your door every month. [Get a free tour](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/experience-curriculum/)