Vermont’s VELS: The official early learning standards framework
Vermont’s early learning standards are organized under the Vermont Early Learning Standards (VELS), administered by the Vermont Department for Children and Families (DCF) Child Development Division. VELS applies to licensed family childcare homes, center-based childcare programs, and state-funded preschool programs serving children from birth through kindergarten entry statewide.
VELS defines developmental expectations across all 8 domains and guides curriculum planning, developmental assessment, and program quality statewide. Programs can view current guidance at the Vermont DCF Child Development Division page.
Vermont’s QRIS is called STARS (STep Ahead Recognition System), administered by Vermont DCF’s Child Development Division. STARS recognizes licensed family childcare homes, center-based programs, and afterschool programs. Programs earning higher STARS ratings receive increased reimbursement rates (5% to 40% above base rate) from Vermont’s Child Care Financial Assistance Program. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to Vermont’s VELS supports higher STARS ratings.
Explore by developmental domain
Vermont’s VELS domains and Experience Curriculum alignment
Select a developmental domain below to see how Vermont’s VELS defines that domain, the key milestones by age group, and exactly how Experience Curriculum activities and skills map to each VELS indicator.
Social-Emotional Development
Self-regulation, peer relationships, identity, empathy, and emotional expression
Explore Vermont Social-Emotional Development standards →Language & Literacy
Receptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, early reading and writing
Explore Vermont Language & Literacy standards →Mathematics & Reasoning
Number sense, patterns, measurement, spatial reasoning, and early problem-solving
Explore Vermont Mathematics & Reasoning standards →Science
Observation, inquiry, cause-and-effect, and exploration of the natural world
Explore Vermont Science standards →Social Studies
Community, family, cultural identity, roles, and civic understanding
Explore Vermont Social Studies standards →Creative Arts
Visual arts, music, movement, dramatic play, and creative expression
Explore Vermont Creative Arts standards →Physical Development
Gross and fine motor skills, body awareness, health, and self-care
Explore Vermont Physical Development standards →Approaches to Learning
Curiosity, persistence, initiative, flexibility, and attention
Explore Vermont Approaches to Learning standards →Curriculum alignment
How Experience Curriculum aligns to Vermont’s VELS
Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Vermont’s VELS 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 Vermont VELS Alignment PDF documents how every Experience Curriculum activity and skill maps to a specific VELS indicator.
For Vermont programs using brightwheel, developmental observations can be logged directly in the app during or after activities, automatically building each child’s portfolio and supporting STARS (STep Ahead Recognition System) curriculum documentation requirements.
The Vermont VELS Alignment PDF is a free resource documenting how every Experience Curriculum activity maps to Vermont’s VELS indicators — suitable for QRIS review submissions and licensing documentation.
Frequently asked questions