Child Development Division
| Subject: Enrolling Children in California State Preschool Programs for Fiscal Year 2013–14 | Number: 13-03 |
Authority: Senate Bill 1016 (Chapter 38, Statutes of 2012) |
Date: March 2013 Expires: June 30, 2014 |
Attention: Executive Officers and Program Directors of California State Preschool Programs
Purpose
The purpose of this Management Bulletin (MB) is to update the information for enrolling children in a California State Preschool Program (CSPP) for fiscal year (FY) 2013–14.
MB 12-15 provided information on the change to the definition of a CSPP eligible three- and four-year-old child. This MB provides clarification on children who are CSPP age eligible for FY 2012–13.
Authority
Senate Bill (SB) 1016 (Chapter 38, Statutes of 2012) amended California Education Code (EC) sections 8208(ai) and (aj) changing the definition for three- and four-year-olds who are eligible to be enrolled in the CSPP.
Policy
For children receiving services in FY 2013–14, the following definitions will apply:
- “Three-year-old children” are children who will have their third birthday on or before October 1, 2013.
- “Four-year-old children” are children who will have their fourth birthday on or before October 1, 2013.
EC Section 8237 allows CSPP contractors, providing part-day services in accordance with EC Section 8235(d), to certify and enroll children up to 120 days prior to the first day of the preschool year.
As a reminder, EC sections 8239(e), and 8263(g) and (h) require agencies to assess family fees for families receiving part-day CSPP services. Please refer to MB 12-06 for additional information.
Directives
Contractors certifying and enrolling children for the upcoming 2013–14 fiscal year, including those enrolling for part-day CSPP pursuant to EC Section 8237, will enroll in accordance with admission priorities specified in EC Section 8236, and only enroll CSPP age eligible children as follows:
- A “CSPP eligible four-year-old” is a child, regardless of their chronological age, who will have their fourth birthday on or before October 1, 2013. This is a child whose birthdate is between October 2, 2008, and October 1, 2009.
- A “CSPP eligible three-year-old” is a child, regardless of their chronological age, who will have their third birthday on or before October 1, 2013. This is a child whose birthdate is between October 2, 2009, and October 1, 2010. Children who turn three on or after October 2, 2013, are not eligible for CSPP in FY 2013–14.
It is permissive, when developmentally appropriate, for a CSPP eligible three-year-old child receiving services in a toddler setting to remain in a general child care and development program contract (CCTR) until the day before their third birthday. These children are eligible for reimbursement using the toddler adjustment factor as long as they are being served in a classroom staffed pursuant to California Code of Regulation, Title 5 (5 CCR), Section 18290(b).
Kindergarten eligible children, as described in EC Section 48000(a), who were receiving full-day services as a CSPP eligible four-year-old on or before June 30, 2013, may remain in a CSPP until the child starts kindergarten, but no later than September 30, 2013.
As a reminder, if a contractor has enrolled a child that is not CSPP age eligible, the contractor:
- May transfer the child’s enrollment to their CCTR contract if they are able to cover the cost of care for this child; or
- If not able to do so, issue a Notice of Action (NOA)-Termination of Services pursuant to 5 CCR, sections 18095 and 18119. Contractors must, however, adhere to the continuity of care provisions outlined in EC Section 8263(c) by attempting to transfer a child’s enrollment to another child development program for which the family is eligible, prior to the disenrollment date on the NOA.
Transitional Kindergarten
Contractors are reminded that all school districts are required to offer transitional kindergarten (TK) to children who turn five on or between October 1 and December 2 of the 2013–14 school year. Please be aware:
- These children also meet the definition of a CSPP eligible four-year-old, and therefore may be eligible to receive CSPP services.
- Families of children who are eligible for both CSPP and TK may choose the most appropriate program for their child. A family can enroll their child in both programs; however, a child shall not be enrolled in both programs for the same time period on the same day.
- A child who is only enrolled in TK, and whose family needs before or after school services, can be enrolled in a CCTR or Alternative Payment program. A CSPP contractor cannot provide before or after school services.
Questions regarding the information in this MB should be addressed to your Child Development Field Services Consultant or by phone at 916-322-6233.
This Management Bulletin is mandatory only to the extent that it cites a specific statutory and/or regulatory requirement. Any portion of this Management Bulletin that is not supported by a specific statutory and/or regulatory requirement is not prescriptive pursuant to California Education Code Section 33308.5.
