--- title: "South Carolina’s Early Learning Standards" id: "22364" type: "page" slug: "south-carolina" published_at: "2026-05-29T16:57:39+00:00" modified_at: "2026-05-29T16:57:39+00:00" url: "https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/south-carolina/" markdown_url: "https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/south-carolina.md" excerpt: "Standards-alignedAll 8 domains coveredNAEYC & Head Start aligned Browse other states Arizona Colorado Florida Georgia Illinois Indiana Michigan Minnesota Missouri New York North Carolina Ohio Pennsylvania Texas View all 51 states → South Carolina framework overview South Carolina’s SC-ELS: The..." taxonomy_language: - "English" --- [Brightwheel](https://mybrightwheel.com/) › [Early Learning Standards](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/) › [South Carolina](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/south-carolina/) › South Carolina’s Early Learning Standards # South Carolina’s Early Learning Standards ## South Carolina’s SC-ELS: The official early learning framework — all 8 developmental domains and how Experience Curriculum aligns to each one. Standards-alignedAll 8 domains coveredNAEYC & Head Start aligned Browse other states [Arizona](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/arizona/) [Colorado](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/colorado/) [Florida](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/florida/) [Georgia](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/georgia/) [Illinois](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/illinois/) [Indiana](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/indiana/) [Michigan](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/michigan/) [Minnesota](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/minnesota/) [Missouri](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/missouri/) [New York](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/new-york/) [North Carolina](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/north-carolina/) [Ohio](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/ohio/) [Pennsylvania](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/pennsylvania/) [Texas](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/texas/) [View all 51 states →](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/) South Carolina framework overview## South Carolina’s SC-ELS: The official early learning standards framework South Carolina’s early learning standards are organized under the South Carolina Early Learning Standards (SC-ELS, 2017), jointly published by the SC Department of Social Services (DSS) and the SC Department of Education. SC-ELS applies to licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, First Steps 4K programs, and Head Start programs serving children from birth through kindergarten entry. SC-ELS defines developmental expectations across all 8 domains and guides curriculum planning, developmental assessment, and program quality statewide. Programs can view current guidance at the [SC Department of Education Early Learning Standards page](https://ed.sc.gov/instruction/early-learning-and-literacy/early-learning/standards) . Framework name South Carolina Early Learning Standards (SC-ELS) — 2017 Administered by South Carolina Department of Social Services (DSS) and SC Department of Education Age range covered Birth through kindergarten entry ABC Quality South Carolina’s QRIS is called ABC Quality, administered by SC DSS’s Division of Early Care and Education. ABC Quality uses an A, B, and C rating system and has been supporting South Carolina families and early childhood programs for over 30 years. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to South Carolina’s SC-ELS supports higher ABC Quality ratings. Explore by developmental domain## South Carolina’s SC-ELS domains and Experience Curriculum alignment Select a developmental domain below to see how South Carolina’s SC-ELS defines that domain, the key milestones by age group, and exactly how Experience Curriculum activities and skills map to each SC-ELS indicator. [Social-Emotional DevelopmentSelf-regulation, peer relationships, identity, empathy, and emotional expressionExplore South Carolina Social-Emotional Development standards →](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/south-carolina/social-emotional/) [Language & LiteracyReceptive and expressive language, phonological awareness, early reading and writingExplore South Carolina Language & Literacy standards →](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/south-carolina/language-literacy/) [Mathematics & ReasoningNumber sense, patterns, measurement, spatial reasoning, and early problem-solvingExplore South Carolina Mathematics & Reasoning standards →](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/south-carolina/mathematics/) [ScienceObservation, inquiry, cause-and-effect, and exploration of the natural worldExplore South Carolina Science standards →](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/south-carolina/science/) [Social StudiesCommunity, family, cultural identity, roles, and civic understandingExplore South Carolina Social Studies standards →](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/south-carolina/social-studies/) [Creative ArtsVisual arts, music, movement, dramatic play, and creative expressionExplore South Carolina Creative Arts standards →](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/south-carolina/creative-arts/) [Physical DevelopmentGross and fine motor skills, body awareness, health, and self-careExplore South Carolina Physical Development standards →](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/south-carolina/physical-development/) [Approaches to LearningCuriosity, persistence, initiative, flexibility, and attentionExplore South Carolina Approaches to Learning standards →](https://mybrightwheel.com/early-learning-standards/south-carolina/approaches-to-learning/) Curriculum alignment## How Experience Curriculum aligns to South Carolina’s SC-ELS Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to South Carolina’s SC-ELS 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 [South Carolina SC-ELS Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/South-Carolina-Infants-5.pdf) documents how every Experience Curriculum activity and skill maps to a specific SC-ELS indicator. For South Carolina programs using brightwheel, developmental observations can be logged directly in the app during or after activities, automatically building each child’s portfolio and supporting ABC Quality curriculum documentation requirements. Download the alignment PDF The [South Carolina SC-ELS Alignment PDF](https://www.mothergoosetime.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/South-Carolina-Infants-5.pdf) is a free resource documenting how every Experience Curriculum activity maps to South Carolina’s SC-ELS indicators — suitable for QRIS review submissions and licensing documentation. Frequently asked questions## Common questions about South Carolina’s early learning standards What is South Carolina’s official early learning framework? South Carolina uses the South Carolina Early Learning Standards (SC-ELS, 2017), jointly published by the SC Department of Social Services (DSS) and the SC Department of Education, as its official early learning framework. SC-ELS covers all 8 developmental domains from birth through kindergarten entry and applies to licensed childcare centers, family childcare homes, First Steps 4K programs, and Head Start programs statewide. Is Experience Curriculum aligned to South Carolina’s SC-ELS? Yes. Experience Curriculum is formally aligned to South Carolina’s SC-ELS across all age bands (Baby, Toddler, and Preschool) and all 8 developmental domains. The South Carolina Alignment PDF maps every Experience Curriculum activity to the specific SC-ELS indicator it supports, providing documentation for ABC Quality reviews and licensing visits. Does South Carolina have a Quality Rating and Improvement System (QRIS)? Yes. South Carolina’s QRIS is called ABC Quality, administered by SC DSS. ABC Quality uses an A, B, and C rating system and has been supporting South Carolina programs for over 30 years. Using a research-based curriculum aligned to SC-ELS supports higher ABC Quality ratings. Which South Carolina programs are required to follow the SC-ELS? South Carolina First Steps 4K programs, licensed childcare centers receiving CCDF subsidy funding, and Head Start programs are expected to use a curriculum aligned to SC-ELS. ## See Experience Curriculum in your South Carolina program Research-based, state-aligned curriculum delivered to your door every month. [Get a free tour](https://mybrightwheel.com/experience-curriculum/)