FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
) 
SENATE 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
Explanatory Note 
The State recognizes that preschool education is a fundamental component of early childhood 
development and is a necessary means to ensure that a child, one of the most important assets of the 
nation, acquires the essential educational foundation for his/her development and to attain his/her 
fullest potential as a human being. 
An issuance by the Department of Education as early as 1989 puts it most accurately: 
”During these critical years, basic character, values, abilities, personality, skills, 
aptitude, attitudes and knowledge are formed. 
These qualities when properly 
developed shape the individual’s overall perspective and preparedness for life. It has 
been confirmed by studies that the experiences and the learning that preschool children 
undergo during the first six years of their life have a lasting effect on their intellectual 
development as well as on the development of their social and physical skills.” (DECS 
Order No. 107, s. 1989) 
Notwithstanding its acknowledged importance in early childhood development, preschool is 
not considered part of the formal educational ladder. At best, it is casually subsumed by the 
Education Act of 1982 under the umbrella of Elementary Education, the first stage of compulsory, 
formal education primarily concerned with providing basic education. Further, the standards 
prescribed by the Department of Education for the organization and operation of preschools are at 
best discretionary. 
As the government cannot afford to operate and maintain preschools throughout the country, 
private sector participation steps in to fill this void. W i l e  preschool education is not a required 
component of the formal education structure, a considerable number of facilities offering preschool 
services, legitimate or otherwise, has been established. The growing number of preschools gives rise 
to a number of substantial concerns - the quality of preschool education offered, its rising cost, and 
the safety of children at the premises of preschool facilities, among others. 
. 
This bill seeks to promote quality preschool education, safeguard the welfare of children and 
temper the rising cost of preschool education, by establishing a system governing and regulating 
preschool education in the country through the definition of standards for the organization and 
operation of preschool facilities and services and penalizing failure to observe the required standards 
for maintaining a preschool. 
In view of the foregoing, the immediate passage of this bill is sought. 
FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 


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FOURTEENTH CONGRESS OF THE 
) 
2;;;&{(:<. 
c
j
 
i ’  
REPUBLIC OF THE PHIL.IPPINES 
1 
Second Regular Session 
SENATE 
Senate Bill No. 
FtVFr? iiv 
. 
Introduced by Senator FRANCIS G. ESCUDERO 
AN ACT 
GOVERNING THE SYSTEM OF PRESCHOOL EDUCATION BY 
PRESCRIBING STANDARDS AND REGULATIONS OF PRESCHOOL 
FACILITIES AND SERVICES 
Be it enacted by the Senate and the House of Representatives of the Philippines in Congress 
assembled: 
Chapter I 
TITLE AND DECLARATION OF POLICY 
Section 1. Short Title. This Act shall be known as “Governance in Preschool Education Act.” 
Sec. 2. Declaration ofPolicy. It is hereby declared the policy of the State to uphold the vital 
role of children in nation-building by instituting measures that shall promote and protect 
their physical, moral, spiritual, intellectual and social well-being. 
The State recognizes the importance of early childhood development and the role it plays in 
achieving the country’s educational goals and objectives. The State further recognizes that 
preschool education is a fundamental component of early childhood development and is a 
necessary means to ensure that a child, one of the most important assets of the nation, 
acquires the essential educational foundation for his/her development and to attain his/her 
fullest potential as a human being. 
The State commits to uphold the rights of children to access quality education and assistance, 
including proper care and nutrition, and special protection from all forms of neglect, abuse, 
cruelty and exploitation, and other conditions prejudicial to their development. As such, the 
State shall promote and safeguard the welfare of children and uphold their best interests by 
encouraging the establishment of quality preschool education through the definition of 
standards for the organization and operation of preschool facilities and services in the 
country. 
Sec. 3. Definition ofTerms. The terms used in this Act are defined as follows: 
(a) Child abuse - refers to the acts described in Section 3(b) of Republic Act No. 7610, or the 
Special Protection of Children Against Abuse, Exploitation and Discrimination Act, 
and all other forms of abuse and neglect referred to in the same law; 
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(b) Department - refers to the Department of Education; 
(c) Mother tongue - refers to the language or languages first learned by a child which 
he/she identifies with or is identified as a native speaker of, by others, or which 
he/she knows best and uses most; 
(d) Owner - refers to the person, natural or juridical, who owns, operates or stands as the 
proprietor of a preschool, whether or not a permit to operate the same has already 
been granted him/her. The owner may be the operator or proprietor of existing 
educational institutions that may be offering elementary, secondary and/or post- 
secondary education; 
Preschool institution - refers to pre-elementary facilities or services, including but not 
limited to early learning centers, nurseries, kindergarten schools, playgroups and 
similar facilities that primarily provide educational services for preschool children; 
Preschool children - refers to children five (5) years old and below who qualify for 
admission and enrolment in preschool facilities or services offering preschool 
education; 
Preschool personnel - collectively refers to the owner, director, teachers and para- 
professionals working in a preschool institution. 
(e) 
(f) 
(g) 
Chapter 11 
COVERAGE 
Sec. 4. Coverage. This Act shall cover all privately owned preschool institutions and other 
private educational institutions providing elementary, secondary and post-secondary 
education that also offer preschool services. 
A preschool entity or organization contracted by the government as its partner in the 
Preschool Service Contracting Scheme Q") 
of the Department shall not be covered by this 
Act when the delivery of educational services are solely devoted to the implementation of the 
PSCP. 
Chapter 111 
ESTABLISHMENT AND LICENSING 
Sec. 5. Establishment of a Preschool. A private preschool institution shall be established in 
accordance with law and its operations shall be subject to prior authorization of the 
Department. No preschool institution shall operate without first applying for a permit to 
operate and obtaining the same from the Department. 
Sec. 6. Applicutionfor a Permit to Operate. The Owner of a preschool institution shall file the 
application for a permit to operate a preschool. 
He/She shall have the following 
qualifications: 
(a) 
(b) 
Possesses a college degree in a discipline allied to education with at least eighteen (18) 
units of preschool education course; and 
Must not have been convicted of any crime involving child abuse, sexual abuse or any 
other crime committed against children. 
If the owner of the preschool is a juridical entity, the President of such entity shall possess the 
above-prescribed qualifications. 
The Department has the discretion to impose additional qualifications before a person may 
be able to apply for and be granted a permit to operate a preschool. 
Sec. 7. Requirements for Application to Operate a Preschool. The Department shall not issue a 
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permit to operate a preschool unless the following documents and information are submitted: 
A complete application form, which includes a list of all the preschool personnel, 
including volunteers and substitutes, and the list of household members as prescribed 
in Section 9 herein, if applicable; 
(b) Draft preschool curriculum or program to be implemented; 
(c) Inspection report showing compliance with all safety rules issued by the local 
government unit; 
(d) Certification showing completion of pre-licensing inspections as prescribed in Section 
10 herein; 
(e) Tax Identification Number of the Owner; and 
(f) Statement of Legal Background 
(a) 
The Owner shall sign the application for a permit to operate a preschool under oath to certify 
that all its contents and attachments are true and correct. 
Sec. 8. Statement ofLegal Background. The Owner of the preschool shall submit a Statement of 
Legal Background signed under oath by each member of the preschool personnel, eighteen 
(18) years old and above. The Statement of Legal Background shall include all contacts of the 
preschool personnel with law enforcers, whether or not such contacts may have resulted to 
prosecution. 
Sec. 9. Disclosure ofHousehoZd Members. If the preschool is located within a private residence, 
the Owner shall submit the names of all household members eighteen (18) years old and 
above. 
Sec. 10. Pre-Licensing Inspection. After the filing of the application for a permit to operate, a 
preschool institution shall be subjected to pre-licensing inspections before it can be allowed 
to start its operations. 
Sec. 11. Display of Permit. The owner shall, at all times, display the operating permit, whether 
provisional or permanent, in a prominent place clearly visible to the parents and the public. 
Sec. 12. Licensed Capacity. The permit shall indicate the licensed capacity to operate the 
preschool. A preschool institution shall not exceed its licensed capacity during the period of 
effectivity of the granted permit. 
An increase in the capacity shall require another 
application for a new permit to operate. 
Sec. 13. Changes in the Permit. If a substantial change in the permit to operate a preschool is 
needed, the owner shall submit a new application. 
Sec. 14. Operution Without a Permit. The operation of a preschool institution without 
authorization, or in violation of the permit granted, is a violation that may be subject to the 
penalties provided under Chapter XI of this Act. 
Sec. 15. Strict Compliance of Standards. A preschool institution shall be required to comply 
with the standards set under this Act and also to that of the other administrative regulations 
and orders issued by the Department, under pain of penalty of the Owner and all other 
preschool personnel responsible for non-compliance of these standards. 
Chapter IV 
PRESCHOOL PROGRAM 
Sec. 16. Curriculum Development. The Department shall develop the curriculum prescribed 
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for ‘preschool education consistent with the universally accepted norms and standards, 
including values formation, and to periodically review such for purposes of upgrading. 
Private preschool institutions shall henceforth implement the appropriate curriculum 
prescribed by the Department. 
Sec. 17. Developmentally Appropriate Experiences. The preschool program shall incorporate the 
use of developmentally appropriate experiences in physical development, social 
development, supportive emotional and social environment, intellectual and cognitive 
development, staff-child ratio, language of learning, and parental involvement. 
Such 
programs aim to develop the preschool children’s intrapersonal and interpersonal skills as 
well as enhancing their self-management and independence. 
The program shall also include appropriate learning activities and teaching techniques in 
accordance with each child’s level of comprehension and maturation. 
Sec. 18. 
The physical development program shall help 
develop the gross and fine motor coordination of a child through play and manipulative 
activities like games, simple work and those that develop physical fitness, and through: 
Physical Development Puogrum. 
Adequate indoor and outdoor space pursuant to Chapter V of this Act; 
Developmentally appropriate materials and equipment, in sufficient quantity to allow 
choice, and providing supervised time for children to use large and small muscles to 
increase their physical skills; 
Appropriate guidance while the school children use equipment and materials that 
promote their physical growth; and 
Developmentally appropriate information about health as an integral part of program 
activities. 
Sec. 19. Social Development Pmgram. The social development program shall help develop 
skills and behavior pertaining to independence and social behavior including development of 
health habits and independence in dressing, eating, sleeping and toileting, relating with 
teachers, peers and other people through group play and/or interaction. It also deals with 
the development of ability to follow rules and routines. 
The program shall likewise promote the development of social skills and social interactions 
by providing positive guidance with clear and consistent rules presented in developmentally 
appropriate ways such as positive adult and peer role models, focusing on the level of the 
child. 
Sec. 20. Supportive Emotional and Social Environment Progranr. The supportive emotional and 
social environment program shall promote affective development through experiences that 
help preschool children develop love for self, others and the community. The program shall 
provide a supportive social and emotional climate that: 
(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
Enhances the preschool children’s understanding of themselves as individuals, and in 
relation to others, by providing for individual, small group, and large group activities; 
Gives preschool children many opportunities for success through developmentally 
appropriate program activities; and 
Provides an environment of acceptance that helps preschool children develop positive 
self-concept, enhance their individual strengths, build ethnic pride, and facilitate social 
relationships. 
Sec. 21. 
Intellectual and Cognitive Development Proguam. 
The intellectual and cognitive 
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development program shall incIude activities that promote the deveIopment of intellectual 
skills particularly in the areas of communication skills and sensory-perceptual and numeric 
concepts and skills by: 
(a) Encouraging preschool children to solve problems, initiate activities, explore, 
experiment, question, and gain mastery through learning by doing concrete 
experimental learning; 
(b) Promoting language understanding and use in an atmosphere that encourages each 
communication among preschool children and between children and adults; 
(c) Utilizing a curriculum in which a variety of skills are integrated into activities targeted 
toward the interest of preschool children; 
(d) Encouraging preschool children to organize their experiences and understand 
concepts; 
(e) Utilizing a language experience approach to introduce printed materials according to 
the individual developmental level of the preschool children; and 
(f) 
Providing a daily balance of activities in the following dimensions: indoor and 
outdoor; quiet and active; individual and group; large and small groups; child and 
staff initiated; and structured and spontaneous. 
Sec. 22. Staffchild Ratio. Each preschool institution shall maintain the following staff-child 
ratio: 
Age Range of Children 
Number of 
Number of 
(at the time of enrolment) 
Staff 
Children 
2 years old - 3 years old 
1 
6 
3 years & 1 day - 4 years old 
4 years & 1 day - 5 years old 
1 
10 
1 
12 
Only the personnel directly involved with the immediate care and teaching of children shall 
be considered in determining the staff-child ratio. 
Compliance with staff-child ratio shall be determined on a school-wide basis and not on an 
individual classroom basis. 
See. 23. Language of Learning. At the Day Care level, the mother tongue shall be used as 
language of learning for all subjects. At this stage, oral fluency in the mother tongue shall be 
developed. 
At the preschool level (5 years old), the following language of learning shall be 
institutionalized 
(a) Introduction of oral fluency in Filipino as a subject; 
(b) Introduction of oral fluency in English as a subject; 
(c) Continuing development on oral fluency in the mother tongue and the introduction of 
the mother tongue emergent literacy; and 
(d) Mother tongue as language of learning for all subjects. 
Sec. 24. Parental Involvement Program. The parental involvement program shall allow the 
active parental involvement in the preschool children’s activities. Consideration of the 
different types of family structures, such as those with single parenthood, adoption, foster 
care and extended family, shall be made when planning activities. 
The following activities shall be made available to the parents: 
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Participation in classroom and other preschool activities as volunteers or observers; 
Parent training, education or other activities that parents helped develop; 
Working with the child in cooperation with preschool personnel; 
Meeting with preschool personnel and other appropriate staff regarding the child’s 
individual needs and progress or other systems of communication developed with the 
parent; and 
Periodic home visits by preschool personnel. 
Chapter V 
PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT 
Sec. 25. Adequate Facilities and Appropriate Physical Environment. Each preschool institution 
shall ensure that the children enrolled are provided with adequate facilities and given the 
appropriate physical environment. 
The Owner and/or Director shall ensure that: 
All facilities within the school premises, including the floors, walls and ceilings, and 
other areas not considered when computing activity space under Section 26 are clean 
and maintained properly; 
There is at least one toilet seat for every twenty-five (25) children at one time which is 
conveniently accessible to the children; 
Sufficient water supply is available to the children during the hours of operation; 
The sewage and garbage facilities in the school premises are clean and that proper 
disposal of garbage is maintained to prevent health hazards; and 
A telephone line is available in the school premises. 
Sec. 26. Activity Space. A preschool institution shall have a minimum lot area of five hundred 
(500) square meters. The area may be divided into a minimum of one hundred forty (140) 
square meters for the classroom or indoor activity space and three hundred sixty (360) square 
meters for the playground or outdoor activity space. This area shall be good for not more 
than four (4) classes only. 
Toilets, kitchens, passageways, storage space, cabinets and other spaces not used to directly 
deliver educational services as defined in this Act shall not be considered when computing 
the activity space. 
The Owner and/or Director shall ensure that the indoor activity space is well ventilated and 
classrooms are adequately lit. 
Sec. 27. 
A preschool institution shall have enough space for 
playground or outdoor activities; otherwise, easy and safe access to the nearest park or open 
space not more than two hundred (200) meters walking distance from the school site may be 
presented as an alternative. This arrangement shall be approved in writing by the authorized 
representative of the park or open space. 
The Owner and/or Director shall ensure that the preschool institution complies with the 
following regulations concerning outdoor activity space used by the children: 
Outdoor Activity Space. 
(a) If there are unsafe areas such as drainage ditches, open storm sewers, wells, holes, 
railroad tracks, or heavy street traffic in or near the outdoor play area, an appropriate 
fence shall be provided to safeguard the children involved in the outdoor activity; 
(b) Pets, if present, must be physically controlled or restrained, and proof of vaccination 
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shall be available for cats and dogs; and 
The grounds shall be kept neat and clean, free from insects and rodents, and properly 
sloped or drained to prevent stagnant water collection. 
(c) 
The use of the nearest park or open space, instead of a playground within preschool premises, 
as outdoor activity space does not excuse the Owner and/or Director from ensuring that the 
above regulations are met. 
Sec. 28. Use of School Building. The building from where the preschool operates shall be used 
solely for educational purposes. Its conversion into a residential or commercial purpose, 
even if done after class hours, shall be strictly prohibited. 
Sec. 29. Provision of Furniture, Equipment and Related Materials. The furniture, equipment and 
materials allocated for the use of the school shall be of sufficient quantity, quality and variety 
to meet the needs of the preschool children and shall be arranged in a way as to facilitate 
learning, assure a balanced program of spontaneous and structure activities, and encourage 
self-reliance in the children. 
Sec. 30. Provision of Safe Environment. The preschool premises shall be free from potential 
accident hazards such as diggings, uncovered wells, broken glasses, open electric wires, 
unsafe electrical outlets, and other similar matters. The Owner and/or Director shall provide 
the necessary safety measures and equipment to ensure that preschool children may enjoy a 
healthy and hazard-free environment. 
Chapter VI 
QUALIFICATIONS OF PRESCHOOL PERSONNEL 
Sec. 31. 
There shall be preschool personnel in each 
preschool institution which shall be basically composed of a director, teachers and para- 
professionals. 
For purposes of this Act, the Owner of the preschool institution shall be considered part of 
the preschool personnel if he/she has contact with the students therein. 
Sec. 32. The Director. The Director shall plan, implement, supervise, monitor and evaluate a 
school program along with the other competent members of the preschool personnel. 
He/She shall possess the following qualifications: 
Composition of Preschool Personnel. 
(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
College degree in a discipline allied to education with at least eighteen (18) units of 
preschool education course; 
Preferably with a masters degree in education; and 
At least two (2) years of very satisfactory work experience in a school setup. 
The Director’s experience in preschool teaching with very satisfactory performance may, at 
the discretion of the Department, be considered in place of the preschool education course 
units required. 
Sec. 33. The Teacher. The teacher shall be directly in charge with the handling of preschool 
children. He/She shall possess any of the following qualifications: 
(a) 
(b) 
Bachelor of Science degree with specialization in Family Life and Child Development 
or Early Childhood Education or Kindergarten; 
Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education with eighteen (18) units in Preschool 
Education and fifty-four (54) hours of practicum in preschool classes; or 
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(c) ’ Bachelor of Arts/Science degree in a discipline allied to education, arts, nursing, or 
anthropology with eighteen (18) units of preschool education. 
Provided, That upon appointment, the teacher shall have at least six (6) units of preschool 
education subject: Provided, further, That the requirement of eighteen (18) units of preschool 
education may be gradually implemented as follows: 
(a) At the end of Year 1, nine (9) units shall already be earned; 
(b) At the end of Year 2, twelve (12) units; 
(c) At the end of Year 3, fifteen (15) units; and 
(d) At the end of Year 4, eighteen (18) units. 
Sec. 34. The Para-Professional. The para-professional, employed as a teacher aide, teacher 
helper, or assistant teacher, shall have the following qualifications: 
(a) Should at least be a high school graduate; and 
(b) Has attended training on preschool education for at least one hundred twenty (120) 
hours with a certificate from a recognized training institution or professional 
organization. 
Sec. 35. Personnel for Emergency. The preschool institution shall, at all times, have standby 
personnel within the school premises that are trained in emergency medical first aid response. 
Chapter VI1 
DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE PRESCHOOL PERSONNEL 
Sec. 36. General Responsibilifies. The preschool personnel shall have the following general 
responsibilities: 
(a) Promote and protect the physical, moral, intellectual and social well-being of the 
preschool children; 
(b) Provide the preschool children with proper care and nutrition; 
(c) Take all measures to protect the preschool children from all forms of neglect, abuse, 
cruelty and exploitation, and such other conditions that are prejudicial to their safety 
and development; 
(d) Ensure that the standards prescribed under this Act and such other rules, regulations 
and orders relative to the concerns of preschool children are properly observed and 
followed; 
Perform his/her duties in accordance with the policy declared and the responsibilities 
prescribed under this Act; and 
Uphold the best interest of the preschool children. 
(e) 
(f) 
Sec. 37. Academic Responsibilities. The preschool personnel shall likewise have the following 
academic responsibilities: 
(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
Improve professionally by keeping himself/herself abreast with the latest trends and 
techniques in preschool education and child care; 
Assume, promote and maintain an atmosphere conducive to the child’s learning; and 
Be knowledgeable on the rights of the child as provided for in the Convention on the 
Rights of the Child and on other existing laws and to uphold these rights in the 
performance of their duties. 
Sec. 38. Adequate Supemision. The preschool personnel designated by the owner to take 
charge of the preschool children shall be responsible in providing adequate supervision and 
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control over the children in attendance. 
The preschool personnel shall have adequate knowledge on the whereabouts of each and 
every preschool child in attendance and shall always position themselves within the sight or 
hearing distance of every child under their supervision. 
Negligence or willful lack of supervision on the part of the preschool personnel shall be a 
basis for suspension or revocation of the preschool's permit to operate, without prejudice to 
the imposition of the appropriate penalties as prescribed under Chapter XI of this Act. 
Sec. 39. Discipline of Children. No preschool personnel shall be allowed to inflict any form of 
physical punishment on any child in attendance as a means of imposing discipline. 
Preschool personnel shall also be prohibited to impose discipline to a preschool child through 
any of the following means: abusive or profane language; denial of food; forced napping; 
subjection to derogatory remarks about the child or his/her family; threats of physical 
punishment; yelling or screaming; or any other similar forms of discipline. 
Sec. 40. Overall Obligation. Unless otherwise provided herein, compliance with all the 
standards imposed by this Act shall be the responsibility of the Owner of the preschool 
institution. Failure to comply with these standards shall merit the imposition of appropriate 
penalties for the owner without prejudice to the imposition of liability against any other 
member of the school's personnel if found to have committed any act of negligence. 
Chapter VI11 
FEES, CONTRIBUTIONS AND DONATIONS 
Sec. 41. 
The preschool institution shall determine its rate of tuition, 
miscellaneous fees and other charges. The fees and other charges imposed by the preschool 
and their application and use shall be subject to the rules and regulations issued by the 
Department. 
The application for permit of new preschool shall include information on tuition, 
miscellaneous fees, and other charges. 
Sec. 42. Authority to Regulate Scliool Fees. The Department shall have the authority to regulate 
the fees charged by a preschooI institution based on the pre-established objective standards 
that the fees charged shall not be arbitrary, excessive and onerous. 
The pre-established standards that determine whether the fees charged are arbitrary, 
excessive and onerous may relate to indicators such as profit margin and rate of increase. 
Qualitative factors such as improvement of facilities, qualifications of teaching and non- 
teaching personnel, and quality of curriculum offered may also serve as indicators together 
with the quantitative factors for the purpose of determining if the fees charged by a preschool 
institution are fair and reasonable. 
School Fees. 
Sec. 43. Prohibition on Contribution and Solicitation. A preschool institution shall be prohibited 
from collecting any kind or form of contribution and solicitation as a precondition for the 
preschool children's continued school admission or for their completion of the program. 
Sec. 44. Issuance of Official Receipt. A preschool institution shall be required to issue an 
official receipt for all fees, charges and contributions received in the course of its operations. 
Sec. 45. 
Report of Financial Performance. The owner of the preschool institution, upon 
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application for renewal of permit to operate, shall submit to the Department a copy of the 
.financial performance of the preschool for the previous year or for a longer period as may be 
determined by the Department. 
The financial report shall expressly indicate amount of tuition, miscellaneous fees, other 
charges, gifts and donations collected and/or received by the preschool institution during the 
period covered by the report. 
Chapter IX 
RULE IN ADMISSION 
Sec. 46. Non-discrimination in Admission. No child shall be refused admission in a preschool 
institution on the basis of legitimacy or illegitimacy, sex, social status, religion, political 
antecedents, and other related factors. As such, the preschool institution shall not require the 
submission of any of the following documents as requisites for enrolment: 
(a) marriage certificate of parents; 
(b) baptismal certificate of the child; 
(c) income tax return of parents/guardian; and 
(d) all other documents solely intended to identify the child’s legitimacy or illegitimacy, 
sex, social status, religion, political antecedents, and other related factors. 
The policy against non-discrimination shall be read in consonance with the principles of 
religious freedom in cases where the entity operating the preschool is a religious institution. 
Sec. 47. Atmosphere of Tolerance and Acceptance. The preschool institution shall promote an 
atmosphere of tolerance and acceptance. No child shall be disadvantaged, treated differently 
or discriminated in any manner in a preschool on the basis of the factors described in the 
preceding section. 
Chapter X 
IMPLEMENTING AND REGULATING AUTHORITY 
Sec. 48. lmplemenfing Agency. The authority to regulate the organization, operation and/or 
implementation of the preschool education program shall be vested upon the Department, 
through the Bureau of Elementary Education. 
Sec. 49. Duties, Powers and Functions. The Department shall have the following duties, 
powers and functions: 
To oversee and supervise the implementation of the preschool education program 
throughout the country; 
To authorize the opening of preschool education classes in all private schools, 
including the registration and accreditation of private preschool institutions and order 
closure of the same if found violating Department ruIes and regulations and/or found 
operating without a permit or Certificate of Recognition; 
To develop the curriculum for preschool education consistent with the universally 
accepted norms and standards, including values formation, and to periodically review 
such for purposes of upgrading; 
To conceive, develop and extend a regular training program to preschool education 
teachers to ensure constant updating of their knowledge in modern trends, 
methodo1ogie.s and concepts on early childhood education; 
To prescribe the necessary qualifications for the hiring and accreditation of teachers 
who will handle the preschool education program; and 
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(f) . To formulate the necessary guidelines and regulatory standards in connection with the 
operation of private preschool institutions. 
Chapter XI 
LIABILITIES AND PENALTIES 
Sec. 50. 
Any person operating a preschool institution 
without a permit or authority from the Department shall suffer the penalty of at least one (1) 
month imprisonment and/or a fine not exceeding Five Thousand Pesos (P5,OOO.OO) for every 
day of operation without a permit to operate, subject to the discretion of the Court. 
The person liable under this section may or may not be the owner of the preschool institution 
being operated without a permit or authority. 
Sec. 51. Adrniriistrative Sanctions. The Department shall prescribe and impose administrative 
sanctions against the Owner of the preschool institution that it may deem reasonable and 
appropriate for any of the following causes: 
Unauthorized Preschool Operation. 
(a) 
(b) 
(c) 
(d) Mismanagement of school operations; 
(e) 
(f) 
Unauthorized operation of a preschool, without prejudice to the filing of a case against 
the owner pursuant to the immediately preceding section; 
Negligence or wilful lack of supervision of children; 
Failure to comply with any of the obligations or standards prescribed by this Act; 
Gross inefficiency of the teaching or non-teaching personnel; or 
Fraud or deceit committed in connection with the application for a permit or 
recognition. 
The imposition of administrative sanctions by the Department shall be limited only to the 
following: 
(a) Suspension or revocation of permit to operate; 
(b) Temporary or permanent closure of the preschool facility and service; 
(c) Fines and penalties; and 
(d) Prohibition to operate a preschool service or facility or any other educational 
institution. 
Sec. 52. Civil Penalties. Any preschool personnel, who shall commit any act or omission, 
whether intentional or due to negligence, related to the preschool operations that may have 
resulted to any damage or injury on the child enrolled therein, shall be liable to pay damages, 
fines and/or other civil penalties. 
Sec. 53. Penal Provisions. In addition to the imposition of any of the above administrative 
sanctions or civil penalties, preschool personnel found to have violated any provision of this 
Act shall be liable to the penal sanctions prescribed under the Revised Penal Code and other 
special laws with penal provisions such as the Child and Youth Welfare Code, the Anti-Child 
Abuse Act, and the Juvenile Justice and Welfare Act. 
Sec. 54. Liability of a Corporation. If any of the foregoing acts or omissions is committed by a 
corporation, the President and the responsible officers of the corporation and/or other 
persons responsible for the offense or violation shall be held liable for the administrative, 
civil and penal sanctions. 
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Chapter XI1 
FINAL PROVISIONS 
Sec. 55. 
The Department of Education shall, upon 
consultation with the Department of Social Welfare and Development, Department of Health 
and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, promulgate the necessary 
Implementing Rules and Regulations within ninety (90) days after the effectivity of this Act. 
Sec. 56. Transitory Provision. Preschool institutions that are already in operation and have 
been complying with the orders issued by the Department prior to this Act shall be given one 
(1) year from the effectivity of this Act to comply with the standards prescribed herein. 
Sec. 57. Statutory Construction. In case of doubt, the interpretation of any of the provisions of 
this Act shall be construed liberally in favor of the protection and promotion of the 
paramount interest of the preschool child. 
Implementing Rules and Regulations. 
Sec. 58. Separability Clause. If any provision of this Act is held invalid or unconstitutional, the 
same shall not affect the validity and effectivity of the other provisions thereof. 
Sec. 59. Repealing Clause. All laws, decrees, executive orders and rules and regulations, or 
parts thereof, that are contrary to or inconsistent with the provisions of this Act are hereby 
repealed or modified accordingly. 
Sec. 60. Eflectivify Clause. This Act shall take effect fifteen (15) days after its publication in at 
least two (2) newspapers of general circulation. 
Approved, 
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