Iowa Administrative Code › Agency 281 - Education Department › Title II - Accredited Schools and School Districts › Chapter 16 - Statewide Voluntary Preschool Program › Rule 281-16.2 - Preschool Program Standards

Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 3, July 24, 2024
Approved program standards include Head Start Program
				  Performance Standards, Iowa Quality Preschool Program Standards and Criteria,
				  or the NAEYC Program Standards and Accreditation Criteria. All approved local
				  preschool programs adopt preschool program standards and meet the following
				  criteria:
(1)
Personnel.
A minimum of one teacher is present with eligible
				children during the voluntary preschool program instructional time.
(2)
Ratio of staff to
				children.
At least one teacher is present in a classroom during the
				instructional time described in subrule 16.2(4). A minimum of one staff member
				and one teacher are present when 11 to 20 children are present. Staff members
				and teachers have reasonable line-of-sight supervision of all
				children.
(3)
Maximum class
				size.
There are no more than 20 children per classroom.
(4)
Instructional time.
Eligible children receive instructional time as established by Iowa Code
				section 256C.3(3)
"f"
that meets the needs of the child and is directly related
				to the program's curriculum, such time to be exclusive of recess.
(5)
Child learning
				standards.
The preschool program demonstrates how the curriculum,
				assessment, staff development, and instructional strategies are aligned to the
				Iowa Early Learning Standards, adopted on or before January 31, 2024. The
				teacher provides instruction on the skills and knowledge included in the Iowa
				Early Learning Standards.
(6)
Curriculum.
The preschool program adopts a research-based or
				evidence-based curriculum.
(7)
Assessment.
The preschool program adopts a research-based or
				evidence-based assessment to provide information on children's learning and
				development.
(8)
Staff
				development.
The school district complies with Iowa Code section
				256C.3(4)
"d."
The district makes available to any teacher of a
				statewide voluntary preschool program who is not employed by the district staff
				development that the district offers to the district's personnel to maintain
				the skills appropriate to the teacher's role. The school district ensures that
				staff members for the program are provided appropriate staff development in
				early childhood education.
(9)
Space.
The preschool program provides adequate and appropriate
				space and facilities in accordance with program standards.
(10)
Materials.
The
				preschool program provides instructional materials and supplies consistent with
				the program standards and Iowa Early Learning Standards.
(11)
Meals.
The preschool
				program provides adequate and appropriate meals or snacks in accordance with
				program standards.
(12)
Parent involvement.
The preschool program involves families
				through at least one home visit by the licensed teacher of the child, one
				family night, and at least two family-teacher conferences per year. Family
				involvement may include volunteering in the classroom, orientation to the
				preschool program, parent education, general communications, or other
				activities.
(13)
Integration of other preschool programs.
The preschool program
				complies with Iowa Code section 256C.3(3)
"d."
(14)
Comprehensive services.
The preschool program may collaborate with other agencies for the provision of
				the following:
a. Quality, developmentally
				appropriate early learning experiences;
b. Extended day child care;
c. Transportation;
d. Developmental screening, including health,
				hearing, and vision screening;
e.
				Referral to other agencies providing health insurance, health care,
				immunizations, nutrition services, and mental health and oral health services;
				and
f. Family education and
				support.