--- title: "Washington’s Early Learning Standards" id: "22369" type: "page" slug: "washington" 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/washington/" markdown_url: "https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/washington.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 → Washington framework overview Washington’s Washington Early Learning Guidelines:..." taxonomy_language: - "English" --- [Brightwheel](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/) › [Early Learning Standards](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/) › [Washington](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/washington/) › Washington’s Early Learning Standards # Washington’s Early Learning Standards ## Washington’s Washington 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/) Washington framework overview## Washington’s Washington Early Learning Guidelines: The official early learning standards framework Washington’s early learning standards are organized under the Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines (Birth through 3rd Grade, April 2021 update), administered by the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF). The Guidelines apply to licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, Early Childhood Education and Assistance Program (ECEAP) providers, and Head Start programs serving children from birth through kindergarten entry. Washington’s Guidelines define developmental expectations across all 8 domains and guide curriculum planning, developmental assessment, and program quality statewide. Programs can view current guidance at the [DCYF Early Learning Guidelines page](https://dcyf.wa.gov) . Note: use DCYF, not the former name DEL (Department of Early Learning). Framework name Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines — Birth through 3rd Grade (April 2021 Update) Administered by Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF) Age range covered Birth through 3rd grade Early Achievers Washington’s QRIS is called Early Achievers, administered by DCYF. Early Achievers is Washington’s quality recognition and improvement system for licensed childcare programs serving children birth through age 5. Programs demonstrate quality through continuous improvement pathways including videos of practice and virtual program profiles. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to Washington’s Early Learning Guidelines supports Early Achievers quality improvement goals. Explore by developmental domain## Washington’s Washington Early Learning Guidelines domains and Experience Curriculum alignment Select a developmental domain below to see how Washington’s Washington Early Learning Guidelines defines that domain, the key milestones by age group, and exactly how Experience Curriculum activities and skills map to each Washington Early Learning Guidelines indicator. [Social-Emotional DevelopmentSelf-regulation, peer relationships, identity, empathy, and emotional expressionExplore Washington Social-Emotional Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/washington/social-emotional/) [Language & LiteracyReceptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, early reading and writingExplore Washington Language & Literacy standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/washington/language-literacy/) [Mathematics & ReasoningNumber sense, patterns, measurement, spatial reasoning, and early problem-solvingExplore Washington Mathematics & Reasoning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/washington/mathematics/) [ScienceObservation, inquiry, cause-and-effect, and exploration of the natural worldExplore Washington Science standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/washington/science/) [Social StudiesCommunity, family, cultural identity, roles, and civic understandingExplore Washington Social Studies standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/washington/social-studies/) [Creative ArtsVisual arts, music, movement, dramatic play, and creative expressionExplore Washington Creative Arts standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/washington/creative-arts/) [Physical DevelopmentGross and fine motor skills, body awareness, health, and self-careExplore Washington Physical Development standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/washington/physical-development/) [Approaches to LearningCuriosity, persistence, initiative, flexibility, and attentionExplore Washington Approaches to Learning standards →](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/early-learning-standards/washington/approaches-to-learning/) Curriculum alignment## How Experience Curriculum aligns to Washington’s Washington Early Learning Guidelines Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Washington’s Washington 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 [Washington Early Learning and Development Guidelines Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WashingtonEarlyLearningBirth-PreK.pdf) documents how every Experience Curriculum activity and skill maps to a specific Washington Early Learning Guidelines indicator. For Washington programs using brightwheel, developmental observations can be logged directly in the app during or after activities, automatically building each child’s portfolio and supporting Early Achievers curriculum documentation requirements. Download the alignment PDF The [Washington Early Learning and Development Guidelines Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/WashingtonEarlyLearningBirth-PreK.pdf) is a free resource documenting how every Experience Curriculum activity maps to Washington’s Washington Early Learning Guidelines indicators — suitable for QRIS review submissions and licensing documentation. Frequently asked questions## Common questions about Washington’s early learning standards What is Washington’s official early learning framework? Washington uses the Washington State Early Learning and Development Guidelines (Birth through 3rd Grade, April 2021 update), administered by the Washington Department of Children, Youth, and Families (DCYF), as its official early learning framework. The Guidelines cover all 8 developmental domains from birth through 3rd grade and apply to licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, ECEAP providers, and Head Start programs statewide. Is Experience Curriculum aligned to Washington’s Early Learning and Development Guidelines? Yes. Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Washington’s Early Learning and Development Guidelines across all age bands (Baby, Toddler, and Preschool) and all 8 developmental domains. The Washington Alignment PDF maps every Experience Curriculum activity to the specific guideline indicator it supports, providing documentation for Early Achievers reviews and licensing visits. Does Washington have a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)? Yes. Washington’s QRIS is called Early Achievers, administered by DCYF. Early Achievers is Washington’s quality recognition and improvement system for licensed childcare programs serving children birth through age 5. Programs demonstrate quality through continuous improvement pathways. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to Washington’s Early Learning Guidelines supports Early Achievers quality improvement goals. Which Washington programs are required to follow the Early Learning and Development Guidelines? Washington’s ECEAP providers, licensed childcare centers receiving CCDF subsidy funding, and Head Start programs are required to demonstrate curriculum alignment to Washington’s Early Learning and Development Guidelines. Programs receiving Child Care Subsidy must participate in Early Achievers. ## See Experience Curriculum in your Washington program Research-based, state-aligned curriculum delivered to your door every month. [Get a free tour](https://brightwhedev.wpengine.com/experience-curriculum/)