Serving Two-Year-Old Children in CSPP FAQ

Jump to a topic:
Enrollment & Eligibility
Reimbursement
Priority
Staff Requirements
Ratios
Commingling
Toileting
Assessments and Curriculum
Licensing

Enrollment & Eligibility

1. What is the definition of a two-year-old child in California State Preschool Program (CSPP)?

   “Two-year-old child” means a child who has had their second birthday and does not otherwise meet the definition of “three-year-old child” for CSPP.

2. If programs offer services at multiple sites, can contractors choose which sites to enroll two-year-old children at?

   Yes, the contractor may choose which sites and/or classrooms to enroll two-year-old children in.

3. Can two-year-old children be enrolled in the part day program?

   Yes, two-year-old children can be enrolled in part-day CSPP.

4. If a contractor operates both a General Child Care (CCTR) and a CSPP contract, are contractors able to move some two-year-old children to CSPP and serve other two-year-old children under the CCTR contract?

   A program may choose to serve eligible two-year-old children in whichever contract it deems most appropriate to meet the requirement of that contract, including through both contracts. For more specific information about the CCTR contract, contractors should contact their Regional Consultant at the California Department of Social Services (CDSS).

5. Are programs able to limit the number of two-year-old children being served in each classroom and/or across the program to stay with the 1:8 ratio?

   Yes, contractors may limit enrollment of two-year-old children to ensure the program is able to meet required teacher-child and staff-child ratios. If a program chooses to limit enrollment, the contractor must ensure that proper enrollment priority order is followed once spaces are available to accommodate the allowed number of two-year-old children.
   
   Note: Eligibility order and priority order must be adhered to at initial enrollment and when filling classroom vacancies throughout the program year. For more on the eligibility order and priority order, please see the Management Bulletin (MB) for serving two-year-old children in CSPP, MB 25-03.

6. Are the documentation requirements to determine eligibility and need for services in the CSPP the same for two-year-old children?

   Yes, documentation requirements to determine CSPP eligibility and need for services for CSPP age eligible children, including two-year-old children, are the same.

7. How would a CSPP contract blend with a CCTR contract?

   Contract requirements for blending a CSPP contract with a CCTR contract have not changed with the addition of serving children beginning at 24 months in CSPP. If a program is blending a CSPP contract with a CCTR contract, it is important to take into consideration the differing programmatic and licensing requirements that these programs hold. The California Department of Education (CDE) encourages contractors to reach out to their Program Quality Improvement (PQI) consultants from both the CDE and CDSS to determine the best way to layer funding for the program to provide a wholistic program for California’s youngest learners.

8. How would a part-day CSPP contract blend with Early Head Start (EHS)?

   There are a range of ways to layer EHS and CSPP. The CDE encourages contractors to reach out to their PQI consultant and EHS Specialist to determine the best way to layer this funding for the program to provide a wholistic program for California’s youngest learners.

9. Is there possibility for this guidance to be extended past June 2027?

   At the moment, the statutory language does not indicate that the ability to enroll two-year-old children in CSPP will be extended beyond June 30, 2027. This does not mean that there is not a possibility for the statutory language to serve two-year-old children to be extended, and if this is an allowance that contractors appreciate, we encourage contractors to collect data and testimonials that support extending this provision.

Reimbursement

1. How do you report a child’s days of enrollment when they fall under two different adjustment factor categories? For example, a child is a two-year-old and is also a dual language learner.

   Pursuant to Education Code (EC) Section 8244(e), days of enrollment for children who meet more than one of the adjustment factor criteria must not be reported under more than one adjustment factor category. When a child meets more than one adjustment factor criteria, the contractor can choose which adjustment factor category will be used to report the child’s days of enrollment. In the scenario provided, because the adjustment factor for a full-time two-year-old child is 1.8 and the adjustment factor for a full-time dual language learner is 1.2, the contractor will likely report the child’s days of enrollment in the Two Years Old and Three Years Old adjustment factor section in California Preschool Accounting Reporting Information System. Using the higher adjustment factor will increase the contractor’s calculated service earnings.

   See EC Section 8244 for more statutory language on adjustment factors.

   Note: The only exception to this rule is when a child is also claiming the early childhood mental health consultation services adjustment factor. This adjustment factor can be claimed in addition to any other single adjustment factor and applies to all children enrolled in the classroom or family childcare home setting where services are provided.
   

2. Will there be funding for program facilities to transform their environments for younger age groups?

   There are many funding options for contractors to support the development of environments, however there is not specific funding that will be allocated to programs to transform their environments for younger age groups. The CDE does encourage programs to utilize the higher adjustment factor to support enhancing their programs to serve children and families. Additionally, CSPP contractors may utilize a portion of the CSPP contract funds for purchasing materials and equipment needed to serve two-year-old children in developmentally appropriate environments.

3. Is the adjustment factor the same for two-year old children and three-year-old children within CSPP?

   Yes, the adjustment factor for both of these children is the same. The adjustment factor for two-year-old children and three-year-old children is 1.8.

Priority

1. How are two-year-old children prioritized in CSPP?

   For ease of seeing where two-year-old children fall in the priorities, the CDE has bolded and italicized references to two-year-old children in MB 25-03.

Staff Requirements

1. Will infant and toddler units be required for teachers in a classroom with two-year-old children?

   The CDE does not have additional infant and toddler unit requirements for serving two-year-old children in CSPP. However, Infant and toddler units may be required by Community Care Licensing if the program has a Toddler Component associated with the license. The CDE recommends that contractors check with their licensing analyst to ensure the site is licensed to serve two-year-old children and if so, what additional requirements may be applicable.

2. What are the teacher qualifications for teaching two-year-old children?

   The qualifications for teaching all eligible children in CSPP are the same regardless of the age of the child. Staff are required to meet the minimum qualifications listed within the California Code of Regulations, Title 5 (5 CCR) Section 17717. However, the CDE would note that there can be differences for serving two-year-old children depending on the program’s license. Be sure to check in with your licensing requirements to ensure that teachers meet the requirements
   
   For more information on child development permits, please visit the Commission on Teacher Credentialing .

Ratios

1. What is the ratio for serving two-year-old children?

   There are two options for maintaining ratios:
   
   The contractor may operate using a 1:8 adult to child ratio, with a 1:24 teacher to child ratio, if and only if the number of two-year-old children enrolled in the classroom does not exceed 8 children, or more than 30 percent of all children enrolled in the classroom, whichever is less.

   Or

   If a contractor chooses to enroll more two-year-old children in a classroom than described above, a 1:4 adult to child ratio and 1:16 teacher to child ratio must be followed for two-year-old children.

   For contractors that follow option 2, in alignment with Title 5 Section 17714 on commingling, if the number of two-year-old children exceeds 50 percent of the total number of children in attendance, the ratios for the entire group must meet the ratios required for the two-year-old children. If the number of two-year-old children does not exceed 50 percent of the total number of children in attendance, the teacher-child and adult-child ratios shall be computed separately for each group.

2. If we enroll a two-year-old child, but they turn three during the school year, does that change our ratio later in the year?

   Yes, the ratio for children in the classroom at any given time is dependent on the statutory age of the children in the classroom, age definitions can be found in EC Section 8205.
   

Commingling

1. How does a program maintain developmentally appropriate practices and a safe environment for two-year-old children, while also providing an enriching environment for three- and four-year-old children?

   All experiences, environments, and curriculum should be developmentally appropriate for all of the children in the classroom and teachers should have the ability to adjust the level of difficulty for each activity to meet the needs of each child. If a contractor has specific questions about their program, the CDE recommends contacting your Program Quality Implementation consultant for more direct support and technical assistance. In addition to this, the CDE highly encourages contractors to review the resources located in MB 25-03 for more specific information on serving two-year-old children in CSPP.

2. Can the two-year-old children play with the same playground equipment as the three- and four-year-old children? Do we need a waiver?

   Programs should pay attention to the age ranges indicated on equipment to ensure that the materials are safe for the age ranges of children served in their program that may have access to the equipment. Questions about a waiver of these requirements should be directed to Community Care Licensing.

3. How does commingling work with regard to ratios in a CSPP classroom?

   Contractors may commingle two-year-old children with other aged children in CSPP. However, it is important to note that if the number of two-year-old children exceeds 50 percent of the total number of children in attendance, the ratios for the entire group must meet the ratios required for the two-year-old children. If the number of two-year-old children does not exceed 50 percent of the total number of children in attendance, the teacher-child and adult-child ratios shall be computed separately for each group.

Toileting

1. What is the rule for staff ratios when changing a child’s diaper?

   During the time that an adult program staff is supervising children in the restroom or changing a diaper outside of the classroom, this program staff member counts in ratio for the children in the restroom and does not count in ratio for the classroom. Teachers must maintain visual supervision of all children and non-permitted adults at all times.

2. Are there policies and procedures to follow when diapering or toileting?

   Contractors should review MB 25-03 for specific information on policies and procedures for diapering/supporting toilet training in CSPP. For more information on best practices for toileting, partnering with families and communities, and more, please see the California’s Great Start, Developmentally Appropriate Toileting Practices Toolkit .

3. How do we handle toileting with limited staff and still stay in ratio? What if we don't have the facilities for this age?

   As a reminder, a contractor may choose to serve two-year-old children in CSPP; however, contractors are not required to serve two-year-old children in CSPP. The CDE recommends programs work with their PQI consultant to take a critical look at their program structure and staff to see if serving two-year-old children is a provision that the contractor is able to take on.

4. Do we need to change gloves after changing each child or can we use the same pair for multiple children? For example: if I help a child change their soiled clothes, can I then help another child with their diaper?

   Gloves must be changed after use for EACH child. This helps prevent the spread of diseases and illnesses. Staff must also wash their hands before putting on another pair of gloves to assist the next child.

Assessments and Curriculum

1. How does the CLASS assessment tool work with mixed age groups?

   Contractors should refer to MB 23-10 web page and the associated frequently asked questions (FAQs) for information on how to implement CLASS and CLASS Environment.

2. When serving two-year-old children, do we plan different activities for them, and adapt the curriculum as well?

   All activities and curriculum should be developmentally appropriate for all of the children in the classroom and teachers must be able to adjust the level of difficulty for each activity to meet the needs of each child.

3. How do we do the Desired Results Developmental Profile (DRDP)?

   DRDPs must be completed between 60 and 90 calendar days from the first day of attendance and at least once every six months thereafter.
   
   For children ages 24 months through 32 months:
   DRDP (2015) Infant/Toddler Comprehensive View (rev. 6/27/2019)
   DRDP (2015) Infant/Toddler Essential View (rev. 6/28/2019)
   
   For children at least 33 months and served in a preschool classroom:
   DRDP (2015) Preschool Comprehensive View (rev. 6/24/2019)
   DRDP (2015) Preschool Fundamental View (rev. 6/24/2019)
   DRDP (2015) Preschool Essential View (rev. 6/24/2019)

    

4. What are the Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Foundations?

   The Infant/Toddler Learning and Development Foundations describe research and evidence-based expectations for the way most infants and toddlers make progress and convey that learning across all developmental domains builds young children’s readiness for school. There are 4 domains with 28 foundations, where more information can be found.

5. Where should contractors refer children who are two years of age when there are developmental concerns?

   Referrals for Early Start Services, the Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities, can be made by parents, medical providers, family members, foster parents, and daycare providers. Parents can first discuss their concerns with their healthcare provider. Additionally, you can contact the local regional center or school district to request an evaluation for the child.

   If the child has a visual impairment, hearing impairment, severe orthopedic impairment, or any combination of these, reach out to the school district for evaluation and early intervention services.
   

Licensing

1. What license is required for serving two-year-old children?

   A preschool license may cover children ages 24 months through entrance into first grade. CSPP contractors are responsible for confirming that their classroom license allows them to serve children as young as 24 months. To confirm with Child Care Licensing, Community Care Licensing what ages your licenses cover, reach out to your Licensing Analyst.

2. Do we need to update the program license in order to serve two-year-old children in a CSPP classroom?

   If a CSPP contractor’s preschool license does not cover children ages 24 months through entrance into first grade, then the program will need to update their license if they want to serve children as young as 24 months of age. CSPP contractors are responsible for confirming that their classroom license allows them to serve children as young as 24 months. To confirm with Child Care Licensing, Community Care Licensing what ages your licenses cover, reach out to your Licensing Analyst.