Pennsylvania’s PA Learning Standards for Early Childhood: The official early learning standards framework
Pennsylvania’s early learning standards are organized under the Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood (2024 revision), administered by the Pennsylvania Office of Child Development and Early Learning (OCDEL). The 2024 revision significantly updated the standards, moving Social-Emotional Learning to the front. The Standards apply to licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, Keystone STARS participants, and Head Start programs serving children from birth through grade 2.
Pennsylvania’s 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 Pennsylvania OCDEL Early Learning Standards page.
Pennsylvania’s QRIS is called Keystone STARS (Standards, Training/Professional Development, Assistance, Resources, and Supports), administered by OCDEL. Programs earn STAR 1 through STAR 4 ratings based on staff education, learning environment, learning program (curriculum and child observation), family/community partnerships, and leadership/management. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to Pennsylvania’s Learning Standards supports higher Keystone STARS ratings.
Explore by developmental domain
Pennsylvania’s PA Learning Standards for Early Childhood domains and Experience Curriculum alignment
Select a developmental domain below to see how Pennsylvania’s PA Learning Standards for Early Childhood defines that domain, the key milestones by age group, and exactly how Experience Curriculum activities and skills map to each PA Learning Standards for Early Childhood indicator.
Social-Emotional Development
Self-regulation, peer relationships, identity, empathy, and emotional expression
Explore Pennsylvania Social-Emotional Development standards →Language & Literacy
Receptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, early reading and writing
Explore Pennsylvania Language & Literacy standards →Mathematics & Reasoning
Number sense, patterns, measurement, spatial reasoning, and early problem-solving
Explore Pennsylvania Mathematics & Reasoning standards →Science
Observation, inquiry, cause-and-effect, and exploration of the natural world
Explore Pennsylvania Science standards →Social Studies
Community, family, cultural identity, roles, and civic understanding
Explore Pennsylvania Social Studies standards →Creative Arts
Visual arts, music, movement, dramatic play, and creative expression
Explore Pennsylvania Creative Arts standards →Physical Development
Gross and fine motor skills, body awareness, health, and self-care
Explore Pennsylvania Physical Development standards →Approaches to Learning
Curiosity, persistence, initiative, flexibility, and attention
Explore Pennsylvania Approaches to Learning standards →Curriculum alignment
How Experience Curriculum aligns to Pennsylvania’s PA Learning Standards for Early Childhood
Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to Pennsylvania’s PA Learning Standards for Early Childhood 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 Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood Alignment PDF documents how every Experience Curriculum activity and skill maps to a specific PA Learning Standards for Early Childhood indicator.
For Pennsylvania programs using brightwheel, developmental observations can be logged directly in the app during or after activities, automatically building each child’s portfolio and supporting Keystone STARS curriculum documentation requirements.
The Pennsylvania Learning Standards for Early Childhood Alignment PDF is a free resource documenting how every Experience Curriculum activity maps to Pennsylvania’s PA Learning Standards for Early Childhood indicators — suitable for QRIS review submissions and licensing documentation.
Frequently asked questions