--- title: "Utah’s Early Learning Standards" id: "22368" type: "page" slug: "utah" published_at: "2026-05-29T16:59:51+00:00" modified_at: "2026-05-29T16:59:51+00:00" url: "https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/utah/" markdown_url: "https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/utah.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 → Utah framework overview Utah’s Utah Core Standards for..." taxonomy_language: - "English" --- [Brightwheel](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/) › [Early Learning Standards](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/) › [Utah](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/utah/) › Utah’s Early Learning Standards # Utah’s Early Learning Standards ## Utah’s Utah Core Standards for Early Learning: 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/) Utah framework overview## Utah’s Utah Core Standards for Early Learning: The official early learning standards framework Utah’s early learning standards are organized under two documents: the Utah Core Standards for Early Learning (Ages 3 to 5, adopted May 2020) for preschool-age children, and the Utah Early Childhood Core Standards (Birth through Age 3) for infant and toddler programs — both administered by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE). Together they apply to licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, and Utah’s School Readiness programs serving children from birth through kindergarten entry. Utah’s Core Standards for Early Learning define developmental expectations across all 8 domains and guide curriculum planning, developmental assessment, and program quality statewide. Programs can view current guidance at the [Utah State Board of Education Early Childhood page](https://schools.utah.gov) . Framework name Utah Core Standards for Early Learning — Ages 3 to 5 (Adopted May 2020) Administered by Utah State Board of Education (USBE) Age range covered Birth through kindergarten entry Quality Stars Utah Utah’s QRIS is called Quality Stars Utah (also known as Care About Childcare), administered through USBE and the Utah Office of Child Care. Programs are evaluated on quality indicators including curriculum and learning environment. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to Utah’s Core Standards for Early Learning supports higher Quality Stars Utah ratings. Explore by developmental domain## Utah’s Utah Core Standards for Early Learning domains and Experience Curriculum alignment Select a developmental domain below to see how Utah’s Utah Core Standards for Early Learning defines that domain, the key milestones by age group, and exactly how Experience Curriculum activities and skills map to each Utah Core Standards for Early Learning indicator. [Social-Emotional DevelopmentSelf-regulation, peer relationships, identity, empathy, and emotional expressionExplore Utah Social-Emotional Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/utah/social-emotional/) [Language & LiteracyReceptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, early reading and writingExplore Utah Language & Literacy standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/utah/language-literacy/) [Mathematics & ReasoningNumber sense, patterns, measurement, spatial reasoning, and early problem-solvingExplore Utah Mathematics & Reasoning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/utah/mathematics/) [ScienceObservation, inquiry, cause-and-effect, and exploration of the natural worldExplore Utah Science standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/utah/science/) [Social StudiesCommunity, family, cultural identity, roles, and civic understandingExplore Utah Social Studies standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/utah/social-studies/) [Creative ArtsVisual arts, music, movement, dramatic play, and creative expressionExplore Utah Creative Arts standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/utah/creative-arts/) [Physical DevelopmentGross and fine motor skills, body awareness, health, and self-careExplore Utah Physical Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/utah/physical-development/) [Approaches to LearningCuriosity, persistence, initiative, flexibility, and attentionExplore Utah Approaches to Learning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/utah/approaches-to-learning/) Curriculum alignment## How Experience Curriculum aligns to Utah’s Utah Core Standards for Early Learning Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Utah’s Utah Core Standards for Early Learning 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 [Utah Core Standards for Early Learning Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Utah_Experience-2025-Alignment.pdf) documents how every Experience Curriculum activity and skill maps to a specific Utah Core Standards for Early Learning indicator. For Utah 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 Stars Utah curriculum documentation requirements. Download the alignment PDF The [Utah Core Standards for Early Learning Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/Utah_Experience-2025-Alignment.pdf) is a free resource documenting how every Experience Curriculum activity maps to Utah’s Utah Core Standards for Early Learning indicators — suitable for QRIS review submissions and licensing documentation. Frequently asked questions## Common questions about Utah’s early learning standards What is Utah’s official early learning framework? Utah uses the Utah Core Standards for Early Learning (Ages 3 to 5, adopted May 2020) and the Utah Early Childhood Core Standards (Birth through Age 3), both administered by the Utah State Board of Education (USBE), as its official early learning framework. Together they cover all 8 developmental domains from birth through kindergarten entry. Is Experience Curriculum aligned to Utah’s Core Standards for Early Learning? Yes. Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Utah’s Core Standards for Early Learning across all age bands (Baby, Toddler, and Preschool) and all 8 developmental domains. The Utah Alignment PDF maps every Experience Curriculum activity to the specific Utah standard it supports, providing documentation for Quality Stars Utah reviews and licensing visits. Does Utah have a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)? Yes. Utah’s QRIS is called Quality Stars Utah (also known as Care About Childcare), administered through USBE and the Utah Office of Child Care. Programs are evaluated on quality indicators including curriculum and learning environment. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to Utah’s Core Standards supports higher Quality Stars Utah ratings. Which Utah programs are required to follow the Core Standards for Early Learning? Licensed childcare programs, Utah’s School Readiness programs, and programs receiving CCDF subsidy funding are expected to use a curriculum aligned to Utah’s Core Standards for Early Learning. ## See Experience Curriculum in your Utah program Research-based, state-aligned curriculum delivered to your door every month. [Get a free tour](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/experience-curriculum/)