Minnesota’s Knowledge and Competency Frameworks for Early Childhood Professionals are based on specific areas of focus. Versions are available for those working with infants and toddlers, family child care providers, and preschool-age children in center and school programs. All versions include the skills needed to work with young children, with more specific skills added for the area of specialization.

The framework combines what an early childhood educator needs to know about research and theory, alongside the skills and abilities needed to work effectively in the field. The framework aligns vertically to the Professional Educator Licensing and Standards Board (PELSB) Standards and horizontally to show a progression of skill development.

The competencies are arranged in broad content areas, such as:

• Child development and learning
• Developmentally appropriate learning experiences
  
• Assessment, evaluation and individualization
  

There are three levels of competency; each level includes and builds on the competencies of the level before it.

1. Explores
2. Implements
   
3. Designs and Lead

A newly updated version of the Knowledge and Competency Framework for Educators is now available below. It includes the addition of three components: addressing cultural responsibilities, trauma informed care, and support for multilingual learners. View this one-page summary of these new components.

Working with Infants and Toddlers

Minnesota’s Knowledge and Competency Framework for Early Childhood Professionals: Working with Infants and Toddlers
What infant and toddler teachers should know and be able to do.

Infant Toddler Caregiver Companion Guide to Minnesota Core Competencies
Minnesota’s Knowledge and Competency Frameworks for Early Childhood Professionals are based on specific areas of focus.

Working with Family Child Care 

Minnesota's Knowledge and Competency Framework for Early Childhood Professionals: Working with Family Child Care 
What family child care providers should know and be able to do.

Companion Guide to Minnesota's Knowledge and Competency Framework for Early Childhood Professionals Working in Family Child Care
The companion guide combines key concepts found in the framework with suggestions and examples of what it might look like in an early childhood setting. It is intended to help people working with young children have a beginning understanding of what to do. This Companion Guide does not replace the original framework, but supports it.
 

Working with Pre-School Age Children in Centers and Schools

Minnesota's Knowledge and Competency Framework for Early Childhood Professionals: Working with Preschool-Aged Children in Center and School Programs
Minnesota’s Knowledge and Competency Frameworks for early childhood professionals describe what early childhood professionals working with pre-school age children in centers and schools should know and be able to do.   

Companion Guide to Minnesota's Knowledge and Competency Framework for Early Childhood Professionals Working With Preschool-Aged Children in Center and School Programs
The companion guide combines key concepts found in the framework with suggestions and examples of what it might look like in an early childhood setting. It is intended to help people working with young children have a beginning understanding of what to do. This Companion Guide does not replace the original framework, but supports it.