The Office of Childhood approves early childhood curriculums that are backed by child development research and actively engage students in all developmental domains. Comprehensive curriculum models align with all developmental domains of the Missouri Early Learning Standards (MELS) whereas supplemental curriculum focus on one or more domains of the MELS.

Early Childhood Curriculum Approval Information

The Office of Childhood has developed an early childhood curriculum approval process. Early childhood curriculum can only be submitted by the curriculum sources. Each curriculum must be aligned with the Missouri Early Learning Standards (MELS) and be developmentally appropriate.

Comprehensive Curriculum Models: 

A comprehensive curriculum is a complete curriculum model that includes all developmental areas outlined in our Missouri Early Learning Standards (MELS).

• Comprehensive Curriculum Application
• Comprehensive Curriculum Rubric
• Comprehensive Evaluation Process

Supplemental Curriculum Models:

A supplemental curriculum focuses on one or more domains of the MELS. This type of curriculum can be adopted by programs in addition to the comprehensive curriculums to allow enrichment and learning opportunities that focus on one or more specific domains of the MELS. The MELS are divided into seven domains: Approaches to Learning (AL), Social-Emotional Development (SE), Language and Literacy (LL), Mathematics (M), Science (S), Physical Development (PD), Expressive Arts (EA).

• Supplemental Curriculum Application
• Supplemental Curriculum Rubric
• Supplemental Evaluation Process

Approved Preschool Curriculums

Comprehensive Curriculum

A comprehensive curriculum is a complete curriculum model that includes all developmental areas outlined in our Missouri Early Learning Standards (MELS).

• Creative Curriculum
• Curiosity Corner
• Emerging Language & Literacy Curriculum (ELLC)
• Every Child Ready
• Experience Early Learning Preschool
• High/Scope
• Montessori
• Project Construct
• Ready to Advance – Benchmark
• Scholastic PreK On My Way

Supplemental Curriculum

A supplemental curriculum focuses on one or more domains of the MELS. This type of curriculum can be adopted by programs in addition to the comprehensive curriculums to allow enrichment and learning opportunities that focus on one or more specific domains of the MELS. The MELS are divided into seven domains: Approaches to Learning (AL), Social-Emotional Development (SE), Language and Literacy (LL), Mathematics (M), Science (S), Physical Development (PD), Expressive Arts (EA).

• Bouncy Ready to Learn - Ripple Effects (SE)
• Developing Roots PreK - Mathodology (M)
• Kide Science – Accelerated Learning (S)
• Letters Alive - Alive Studios (LL)
• Nature Revealed - MO Conservation (S)

Approved Infant and Toddler Curriculums

• Creative Curriculum for Infants, Toddlers, and Twos
• Experience Early Learning Baby and Toddler
• HighScope Infant-Toddler