Policy 5148.3 - Preschool/Early Childhood Education

Preschool/Early Childhood Education

Students

The Board of Education recognizes that high-quality preschool experiences for children ages 3-4 years help them develop knowledge, skills, and attributes necessary to be successful in school and provide for a smooth transition into the elementary education program. Such programs should provide developmentally appropriate activities in a safe, well-supervised, cognitively rich environment.

Collaboration with Community Programs

The Superintendent or designee shall collaborate with other agencies, organizations, the county office of education, and private preschool providers to assess the availability of preschool programs in the community and the extent to which the community's preschool needs are being met. The Board of Education encourages the development of a community-wide plan to increase children's access to high-quality preschool programs.

Information about preschool options in the community shall be provided to parents/ guardians upon request.

The Superintendent or designee shall establish partnerships with feeder preschools to facilitate articulation of the preschool curriculum with the district's elementary education program.

District Preschool Programs

When the Board of Education determines that it is feasible, the district may provide preschool services in facilities at or near district schools.

The Board of Education shall set priorities for establishing or expanding services as resources become available. In so doing, the Board shall give consideration to the benefits of providing early education programs for at-risk children and/or children residing in the attendance areas of the lowest performing district schools.

Facilities for preschool classrooms shall be addressed in the district's comprehensive facilities plan, including an assessment as to whether adequate and appropriate space exists on school sites. As necessary, the Superintendent or designee shall provide information to the Board of Education regarding facilities financing options for preschool classrooms and/or facilities available through partnering organizations.

All district preschools are licensed by the California Department of Social Services. The license will be posted in a prominent, publicly accessible location in each preschool classroom.

The district’s preschool programs shall maintain at least the minimum adult-child and teacher-child ratios based on the ages of the children served.

Preschool Program Components

The district’s preschool program shall include the following components:

1. A developmental profile recording each child’s physical, cognitive, social, and emotional development which will be used to plan and conduct developmentally and age-appropriate activities
2. An educational program which complies with 5 CCR 18273, including the provision of services that are developmentally, linguistically, and culturally appropriate and inclusive of children with special needs. The district’s programs shall be aligned with preschool learning foundations published by the California Department of Education
3. A staff development program which includes the identification of training needs, staff development opportunities, orientation for new employees, a written job description, and performance evaluations. The Superintendent or designee shall ensure that administrators, teachers, and paraprofessionals in district preschool programs possess the appropriate permit(s) issued by the Commission on Teacher Credentialing, meet any additional qualifications established by the Board of Education, and participate in professional development opportunities designed to continually enhance their knowledge and skills.
4. Parent/guardian involvement and education which involves parents/guardians through an orientation, at least two individual conferences per year, meetings with program staff, an advisory committee, participation in daily activities, and information regarding their child’s progress. Because parents/guardians are essential partners in supporting the development of their children, the Superintendent or designee shall involve them in program planning. Program staff shall encourage volunteerism in the program and shall communicate frequently with parents/guardians of enrolled children regarding their child’s progress.
5. A health and social services component which includes referrals to appropriate community agencies, as needed
6. A community involvement component which shall include soliciting support from the community and providing information to the community regarding services available
7. A nutrition component which ensures that children in the program are provided nutritious meals, beverages, and snacks that meet state and federal standards and have access to drinking water throughout the day, including at meal times
8. An annual plan for program evaluation which conforms to the state’s “Desired Results for Children and Families” system and includes, but is not limited to, a self-evaluation, parent survey, and environment rating scale
9. Programs that promote age-appropriate structured and unstructured opportunities for physical activity and that limit the amount of time spent in sedentary activities to an appropriate level.

Enrollment

Children who meet the criteria specified in Education Code 8250 and 8263 shall be eligible for subsidized child care and development preschool services. After all children eligible for subsidized services have been enrolled, the district may enroll children in accordance with any other priorities established by the Governing Board. The Superintendent or designee shall maintain a waiting list in accordance with admission priorities and shall contact applicants in order of their priority on the waiting list as vacancies occur.

The Superintendent or designee shall establish and maintain a basic data file for each family receiving preschool services containing the completed and signed application for services and records used to determine the child’s eligibility. A physical examination and evaluation, including age-appropriate immunizations, shall be required prior to enrollment, unless the parent/guardians submits the necessary documentation stating that such medical services are contrary to his/her religious beliefs.

When necessary due to a reduction in funding reimbursements, families shall be disenrolled from subsidized preschool services following funding guidelines.

Attendance

Children shall be signed in and out daily for attendance accounting purposes. The Superintendent or designee shall adopt policies delineating circumstances constituting absences for excused and unexcused absences, family emergencies, and best interest days.

Parents Rights

At the time of enrollment, the parent/guardian will be notified of his/her rights as specified in 22CCR 10121.1. The written notice of parent guardian rights shall also be permanently posted with the preschool classroom in a location accessible to parents/guardians.

Records

The Superintendent or designee shall maintain records of enrollment, attendance, types of families served, income received from all families participating in the preschools, and any other records required by the funding source.

The Superintendent or designee shall regularly report to the Board of Education regarding enrollments in district preschool programs and the effectiveness of the programs in preparing preschoolers for transition into the elementary education program.