When approved by the California Department of Education (CDE) under the California State Preschool Program, the district may operate one or more part-day and full-day preschool programs in accordance with law and the terms of its contract with the CDE.
\n\nThe district's preschool program shall include all required program components, as described in 5 CCR 18272-18281 and AR 5148 - Child Care and Development, for the educational program, the creation of a developmental profile for each child, staff development, parent involvement and education, community involvement, health and social services, nutrition, and program evaluation. (5 CCR 18271-28281)
\n\nMinimum Hours/Days of Operation
\n\nThe district's part-day preschool program shall operate a minimum of three hours per day, excluding time for home-to-school transportation, and for a minimum of 175 days per year unless otherwise specified in the program's contract. (Education Code 8235; 5 CCR 18136)
\n\nStaffing Ratios
\n\nThe preschool program shall maintain an adult-child ratio of at least one adult for every eight children and a teacher-child ratio of at least one teacher for every 24 children. If the district cannot recruit a sufficient number of parents/guardians or volunteers to meet the required adult-child ratio, teacher aides shall be hired as necessary. (5 CCR 18135, 18290)
\n\nWraparound Child Care Services
\n\nIn accordance with its contract with the CDE, the district may offer full-day services to meet the needs of eligible families through a combination of part-day preschool and wraparound child care services that are offered for the remaining portion of the day or year following completion of the preschool services. Child care and development services offered through this program shall meet the requirements of general child care and development programs pursuant to Education Code 8240-8244. (Education Code 8239)
\n\nWraparound services shall operate a minimum of 239 days per year unless otherwise specified in the contract. For this period of time, part-day preschool programs shall operate 175-180 days and general child care and development programs may operate a full day for the remainder of the year after the completion of the preschool program. (Education Code 8239)
\n\nFamily Literacy Services
\n\nWhen any district preschool program receives funding for family literacy services pursuant to Education Code 8238.4, the Superintendent or designee shall coordinate the provision of: (Education Code 8238)
\n\nEligibility and Enrollment
\n\nChildren eligible for the district's preschool program include those who will have their third, fourth or fifth birthday between September 2 and December 2 of the fiscal year that they are being served. (Education Code 8208, 8235, 8236)
\n\nWhen a child is eligible for both the preschool program and the district's transitional kindergarten program, the family may choose the most appropriate program for the child. In accordance with the enrollment priorities described below, the child may be enrolled in both programs provided that the child is not enrolled in both programs for the same time period on the same day.
\n\nEligibility for subsidized preschool shall be as follows:
\n\nThe Superintendent or designee shall consult the county's centralized eligibility list, when available, or shall maintain a district waiting list in accordance with admission priorities. As vacancies occur, applicants shall be contacted in order of their priority. (5 CCR 18106)
\n\nFirst priority for enrollment in a preschool program shall be given to neglected or abused children or foster children age 3 or 4 years who are recipients of child protective services or who, based upon written referral from a legal, medical, or social service agency, are at risk of being neglected, abused, or exploited. If unable to enroll a child in this category, the district shall refer the child's parent/guardian to local resource and referral services so that services for the child can be located. (Education Code 8236; 5 CCR 18131)
\n\nAfter all children with first priority are enrolled, the district shall give second priority to eligible children age 4 years who are not enrolled in a transitional kindergarten program prior to enrolling eligible children age 3 years. (Education Code 8236)
\n\nAfter enrolling all eligible children who meet the criteria for subsidized services, up to 10 percent of the program's enrollment, calculated throughout the entire contract, may be filled with children who exceed the age limitations and children whose family income is no more than 15 percent above the income eligibility threshold. (Education Code 8235; 5 CCR 18133)
\n\nThe district may certify eligibility and enrollment up to 120 calendar days prior to the first day of the beginning of the preschool year. After establishing eligibility at the time of initial enrollment, a child shall remain eligible for the remainder of the program year. (Education Code 8237; 5 CCR 18082)
\n\nThe district's decision to approve or deny a child's enrollment shall be communicated to the family through a written Notice of Action mailed or delivered within 30 days from the date the application is signed by the parent/guardian. (5 CCR 18094, 18095, 18118)
\n\nSubsequently, the Superintendent or designee shall mail or deliver a Notice of Action to a parent/guardian at least 14 calendar days before any intended change in services, including, but not limited to, an increase or decrease in fees, an increase or decrease in the amount of services, or termination of services, due to any of the following circumstances: (5 CCR 18095, 18119)
\n\nFor each child enrolled in the district's preschool program, the Superintendent or designee shall maintain a family data file containing a completed and signed application for services, documentation of income eligibility, and a copy of all Notices of Action. For each child not receiving subsidized services, the family data file shall also include records of the specific reason(s) for enrolling each child, the child's family income, and evidence that the district has made a diligent search for children eligible for subsidized services. (5 CCR 18130, 18133, 18081, 18084)
\n\nFees and Charges
\n\nFees for participation in the district's preschool program shall be assessed and collected in accordance with the fee schedule established by the Superintendent of Public Instruction. (Education Code 8273, 8273.2; 5 CCR 18078)
\n\nHowever, no fee shall be charged to an income-eligible family whose child is enrolled in a part-day preschool program, a family that is receiving CalWORKs cash aid, or a family that is otherwise exempted pursuant to Education Code 8273.1. (Education Code 8273.1; 5 CCR 18110)
\n\nIn addition, any family qualifying for subsidized preschool on the basis of having a child who is a recipient of child protective services, or having a certification by a county child welfare agency that services continue to be necessary, may be exempt from these fees for up to 12 months. Any family whose child is receiving subsidized preschool on the basis of being at risk of abuse, neglect, or exploitation may be exempt from these fees for up to three months, unless the family becomes eligible based on receipt of child protective services or certification of need by a county child welfare agency. The cumulative period of exemption for these purposes shall not to exceed 24 months with written support from the family's social services worker. (Education Code 8273.1)
\n\nThe Superintendent or designee shall establish a process which involves parents/guardians in determining whether to require parents/guardians to provide diapers. This process shall also be used to determine whether and how much to charge parents/guardians for field trip expenses, within the limit specified in law. A child shall not be denied participation in a field trip due to the parent/guardian's inability or refusal to pay the fee, and no adverse action shall be taken against a parent/guardian for that inability or refusal. (Education Code 8273.3)
\n\nDisenrollment
\n\nWhen necessary due to a reduction in state reimbursements, families shall be disenrolled in the following order: (Education Code 8236, 8263.3)
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