West Virginia’s WV Early Learning Standards Framework: The official early learning standards framework
West Virginia’s early learning standards are organized under two documents: the West Virginia Early Learning Standards Framework for infant and toddler programs, and the WV Pre-K Standards for Ages 3–5 (WVBE Policy 2520.15) — both administered by the West Virginia Department of Education (WVDE). Together they apply to licensed childcare centers, regulated family childcare facilities, and state-funded pre-K programs serving children from birth through kindergarten entry.
West Virginia’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 WVDE Pre-K Curriculum and Assessment page.
West Virginia does not have a formal QRIS but operates a Quality Tiered Reimbursement System with three tier levels. Licensed programs are automatically enrolled as Tier I. Advancement to higher tiers is voluntary and requires enrollment of children receiving subsidy funding. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to West Virginia’s Early Learning Standards Framework supports advancement to higher quality tiers.
Explore by developmental domain
West Virginia’s WV Early Learning Standards Framework domains and Experience Curriculum alignment
Select a developmental domain below to see how West Virginia’s WV Early Learning Standards Framework defines that domain, the key milestones by age group, and exactly how Experience Curriculum activities and skills map to each WV Early Learning Standards Framework indicator.
Social-Emotional Development
Self-regulation, peer relationships, identity, empathy, and emotional expression
Explore West Virginia Social-Emotional Development standards →Language & Literacy
Receptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, early reading and writing
Explore West Virginia Language & Literacy standards →Mathematics & Reasoning
Number sense, patterns, measurement, spatial reasoning, and early problem-solving
Explore West Virginia Mathematics & Reasoning standards →Science
Observation, inquiry, cause-and-effect, and exploration of the natural world
Explore West Virginia Science standards →Social Studies
Community, family, cultural identity, roles, and civic understanding
Explore West Virginia Social Studies standards →Creative Arts
Visual arts, music, movement, dramatic play, and creative expression
Explore West Virginia Creative Arts standards →Physical Development
Gross and fine motor skills, body awareness, health, and self-care
Explore West Virginia Physical Development standards →Approaches to Learning
Curiosity, persistence, initiative, flexibility, and attention
Explore West Virginia Approaches to Learning standards →Curriculum alignment
How Experience Curriculum aligns to West Virginia’s WV Early Learning Standards Framework
Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to West Virginia’s WV Early Learning Standards Framework 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 West Virginia Early Learning Standards Framework Alignment PDF documents how every Experience Curriculum activity and skill maps to a specific WV Early Learning Standards Framework indicator.
For West Virginia 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 Improvement curriculum documentation requirements.
The West Virginia Early Learning Standards Framework Alignment PDF is a free resource documenting how every Experience Curriculum activity maps to West Virginia’s WV Early Learning Standards Framework indicators — suitable for QRIS review submissions and licensing documentation.
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