The Governing Board 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.
(cf. 6011 - Academic Standards)
(cf. 6143 - Courses of Study)
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 encourages the development of a community-wide plan to increase children's access to high-quality preschool programs.
(cf. 1020 - Youth Services)
(cf. 1400 - Relations Between Other Governmental Agencies and the Schools)
(cf. 1700 - Relations Between Private Industry and the Schools)
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 determines that it is feasible, the district may provide preschool services in facilities at or near district schools.
The Board 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.
(cf. 0520.1 - High Priority Schools Grant Program)
(cf. 0520.2 - Title I Program Improvement Schools)
(cf. 0520.4 - Quality Education Investment Schools)
(cf. 6171 - Title I Programs)
On a case-by-case basis, the Board shall determine whether the district shall directly administer preschool programs or contract with public or private providers to offer such programs.
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 regarding facilities financing options for preschool classrooms and/or facilities available through partnering organizations.
(cf. 7110 - Facilities Master Plan)
(cf. 7210 - Facilities Financing)
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.
(cf. 1240 - Volunteer Assistance)
(cf. 6020 - Parent Involvement)
The district's program shall be aligned with preschool learning foundations published by the California Department of Education which identify the knowledge, skills, and competencies that children typically attain as they complete their first or second year of preschool. Program components shall address social-emotional, physical, and cognitive development in key areas that are necessary for kindergarten readiness.
The district's preschool program shall provide appropriate services to support the needs of English learners and children with disabilities.
(cf. 6164.4 - Identification and Evaluation of Individuals for Special Education)
(cf. 6174 - Education for English Language Learners)
To maximize the ability of children to succeed in the preschool program, program staff shall support children's health through proper nutrition and physical activity and shall provide or make referrals to health and social services.
(cf. 3550 - Food Services/Child Nutrition Program)
(cf. 5030 - Student Wellness)
(cf. 5141.32 - Health Screening for School Entry)
(cf. 5141.6 - School Health Services)
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, and participate in professional development opportunities designed to continually enhance their knowledge and skills.
(cf. 4112.2 - Certification)
(cf. 4112.4/4212.4/4312.4 - Health Examinations)
(cf. 4112.5/4312.5 - Criminal Record Check)
(cf. 4131 - Staff Development)
(cf. 4212.5 - Criminal Record Check)
(cf. 4222 - Teacher Aides/Paraprofessionals)
(cf. 4231 - Staff Development)
(cf. 4331 - Staff Development)
The Superintendent or designee shall develop and implement an annual plan of evaluation which conforms to state requirements. (5 CCR 18279)
The Superintendent or designee shall regularly report to the Board regarding enrollments in district preschool programs and the effectiveness of the programs in preparing preschoolers for transition into the elementary education program.
(cf. 0500 - Accountability)
(cf. 6190 - Evaluation of the Instructional Program)
Legal Reference:
EDUCATION CODE
8200-8499.10 Child Care and Development Services Act, especially:
8200-8209 General provisions for child care and development services
8230-8233 Migrant child care and development program
8235-8239 California state preschool program
8250-8252 Programs for children with special needs
8263 Eligibility and priorities for subsidized child development services
8300-8303 Early Learning Quality Improvement System Advisory Committee
8360-8370 Personnel qualifications
8499.3-8499.7 Local child care and development planning councils
54740-54749 Cal-SAFE program for pregnant/parenting students and their children
HEALTH AND SAFETY CODE
1596.70-1596.895 California Child Day Care Act
1596.90-1597.21 Day care centers
120325-120380 Immunization requirements
CODE OF REGULATIONS, TITLE 5
18000-18434 Child care and development programs
80105-80125 Permits authorizing service in child development programs
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 20
6311-6322 Title I, relative to preschool
6319 Qualifications for teachers and paraprofessionals
6381-6381k Even Start family literacy programs
6391-6399 Education of migratory children
UNITED STATES CODE, TITLE 42
9858-9858q Child Care and Development Block Grant
CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 22
101151-101239.2 General requirements, licensed child care centers, including:
101151-101163 Licensing and application procedures
101212-101231 Continuing requirements
101237-101239.2 Facilities and equipment
CODE OF FEDERAL REGULATIONS, TITLE 45
1301-1310 Head Start
Management Resources:
CSBA PUBLICATIONS
Expanding Access to High-Quality Preschool Programs: A Resource and Policy Guide for School Leaders, 2005
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS
California Preschool Learning Foundations, Vol. 1, 2008
Preschool English Learners: Principles and Practices to Promote Language, Literacy, and Learning, 2007
Prekindergarten Learning Development Guidelines, 2000
First Class: A Guide for Early Primary Education, 1999
CALIFORNIA DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION MANAGEMENT BULLETINS
08-13 California State Preschool Program, November 2008
01-06 The Desired Results for Children and Families System, May 31, 2001
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION PUBLICATIONS
Good Start, Grow Smart, April 2002
WEB SITES
CSBA: http://www.csba.org
California Association for the Education of Young Children: http://www.caeyc.org
California Children and Families Commission: http://www.ccfc.ca.gov
California County Superintendents Educational Services Association: http://www.ccsesa.org
California Department of Education: http://www.cde.ca.gov
California Head Start Association: http://caheadstart.org
California Preschool Instructional Network: http://www.cpin.us
Child Development Policy Institute: http://www.cdpi.net
Cities, Counties, and Schools Partnership: http://www.ccspartnership.org
First 5 Association of California: http://www.f5ac.org
National Institute for Early Education Research: http://nieer.org
National School Boards Association: http://www.nsba.org
Preschool California: http://www.preschoolcalifornia.org
U.S. Department of Education: http://www.ed.gov
Policy NEWPORT-MESA UNIFIED SCHOOL DISTRICT
adopted: September 8, 2009 Costa Mesa, California