Montana’s Montana Early Learning Standards: The official early learning standards framework
Montana’s early learning standards are organized under the Montana Early Learning Standards (2014), administered by the Montana Office of Public Instruction (OPI) and the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS). A companion OPI document — the Montana Early Learning Developmental Domains and Content Standards — supplements the framework for public preschool programs. Together these apply to licensed childcare programs and Head Start programs serving children from birth through kindergarten entry.
Montana’s Early Learning Standards define developmental expectations across all 8 domains and guide curriculum planning, developmental assessment, and program quality statewide. Programs can view current guidance at the Montana OPI Early Childhood page.
Montana’s QRIS is called the Quality Recognition System (QRS), formerly known as STARS to Quality, administered by Montana DPHHS Early Childhood Services Bureau. Note: The QRS is currently in a redesign phase and is not currently accepting new applications. A new QRS is projected to launch in October 2026. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to Montana’s Early Learning Standards supports quality improvement goals during this transition.
Explore by developmental domain
Montana’s Montana Early Learning Standards domains and Experience Curriculum alignment
Select a developmental domain below to see how Montana’s Montana Early Learning Standards defines that domain, the key milestones by age group, and exactly how Experience Curriculum activities and skills map to each Montana Early Learning Standards indicator.
Social-Emotional Development
Self-regulation, peer relationships, identity, empathy, and emotional expression
Explore Montana Social-Emotional Development standards →Language & Literacy
Receptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, early reading and writing
Explore Montana Language & Literacy standards →Mathematics & Reasoning
Number sense, patterns, measurement, spatial reasoning, and early problem-solving
Explore Montana Mathematics & Reasoning standards →Science
Observation, inquiry, cause-and-effect, and exploration of the natural world
Explore Montana Science standards →Social Studies
Community, family, cultural identity, roles, and civic understanding
Explore Montana Social Studies standards →Creative Arts
Visual arts, music, movement, dramatic play, and creative expression
Explore Montana Creative Arts standards →Physical Development
Gross and fine motor skills, body awareness, health, and self-care
Explore Montana Physical Development standards →Approaches to Learning
Curiosity, persistence, initiative, flexibility, and attention
Explore Montana Approaches to Learning standards →Curriculum alignment
How Experience Curriculum aligns to Montana’s Montana Early Learning Standards
Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Montana’s Montana Early Learning Standards 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 Montana Early Learning Standards Alignment PDF documents how every Experience Curriculum activity and skill maps to a specific Montana Early Learning Standards indicator.
For Montana 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 Recognition System (QRS) curriculum documentation requirements.
The Montana Early Learning Standards Alignment PDF is a free resource documenting how every Experience Curriculum activity maps to Montana’s Montana Early Learning Standards indicators — suitable for QRIS review submissions and licensing documentation.
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