Minnesota’s ECIPs: The official early learning standards framework
Minnesota’s early learning standards are organized under the Early Childhood Indicators of Progress: Minnesota’s Early Learning Guidelines and Standards (ECIPs), administered by the Minnesota Department of Human Services (DHS) in coordination with the Departments of Education (MDE) and Health (MDH). ECIPs apply to licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, and state-funded preschool programs serving children from birth through kindergarten entry.
Minnesota’s ECIPs define developmental expectations across all 8 domains and guide curriculum planning, developmental assessment, and program quality statewide. Note: Minnesota’s ECIPs are currently under revision, with full implementation of the updated version expected in 2028. Programs should monitor dcyf.mn.gov for updates.
Minnesota’s QRIS is called Parent Aware, administered by Minnesota DHS. Parent Aware is a voluntary four-star system evaluating programs on Teaching and Relationships, Family Partnerships, Individual Child Assessment, Professionalism, and Health and Well-being. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to Minnesota’s ECIPs supports higher Parent Aware ratings. Note: ECIPs are currently under revision with full implementation expected 2028.
Explore by developmental domain
Minnesota’s ECIPs domains and Experience Curriculum alignment
Select a developmental domain below to see how Minnesota’s ECIPs defines that domain, the key milestones by age group, and exactly how Experience Curriculum activities and skills map to each ECIPs indicator.
Social-Emotional Development
Self-regulation, peer relationships, identity, empathy, and emotional expression
Explore Minnesota Social-Emotional Development standards →Language & Literacy
Receptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, early reading and writing
Explore Minnesota Language & Literacy standards →Mathematics & Reasoning
Number sense, patterns, measurement, spatial reasoning, and early problem-solving
Explore Minnesota Mathematics & Reasoning standards →Science
Observation, inquiry, cause-and-effect, and exploration of the natural world
Explore Minnesota Science standards →Social Studies
Community, family, cultural identity, roles, and civic understanding
Explore Minnesota Social Studies standards →Creative Arts
Visual arts, music, movement, dramatic play, and creative expression
Explore Minnesota Creative Arts standards →Physical Development
Gross and fine motor skills, body awareness, health, and self-care
Explore Minnesota Physical Development standards →Approaches to Learning
Curiosity, persistence, initiative, flexibility, and attention
Explore Minnesota Approaches to Learning standards →Curriculum alignment
How Experience Curriculum aligns to Minnesota’s ECIPs
Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Minnesota’s ECIPs 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 Minnesota ECIPs Alignment PDF documents how every Experience Curriculum activity and skill maps to a specific ECIPs indicator.
For Minnesota programs using brightwheel, developmental observations can be logged directly in the app during or after activities, automatically building each child’s portfolio and supporting Parent Aware curriculum documentation requirements.
The Minnesota ECIPs Alignment PDF is a free resource documenting how every Experience Curriculum activity maps to Minnesota’s ECIPs indicators — suitable for QRIS review submissions and licensing documentation.
Frequently asked questions