OSPI's building is closed to the public until further notice. OSPI will continue serving the public via phone, email, and the website.
See OSPI’s COVID-19 guidance and resources for educators, students, and families.
Early Learning and Development Guidelines
Contact Information
Early Learning
The state Department of Early Learning (DEL), in partnership with OSPI and Thrive by Five Washington, has published the Early Learning and Development Guidelines for children from birth through third grade. The guidelines replace the Early Learning and Development Benchmarks, which were first created in 2005 to outline what children know and are able to do at different stages of their development. The guidelines' easy-to-read format better supports parents as their child's first and most important teachers with information about what children can do and learn at different stages of development.
Order hard copies from the state Department of Enterprise Services. Order at: myprint.wa.gov
Early Learning and Development Guidelines
For more information about early learning in our state, visit the Department of Children, Youth, and Families.