(1) Approved early childhood education and assistance programs shall receive state-funded support through the department. Public or private organizations, including, but not limited to school districts, educational service districts, community and technical colleges, local governments, or nonprofit organizations, are eligible to participate as providers of the state early childhood education and assistance program.

(2) Funds obtained by providers through voluntary grants or contributions from individuals, agencies, corporations, or organizations may be used to expand or enhance preschool programs so long as program standards established by the department are maintained.

(3) Persons applying to conduct the early childhood education and assistance program shall identify targeted groups and the number of children to be served, program components, the qualifications of instructional and special staff, the source and amount of grants or contributions from sources other than state funds, facilities and equipment support, and transportation and personal care arrangements.

(4) Existing early childhood education and assistance program providers must complete the following requirements to be eligible to receive state-funded support under the early childhood education and assistance program:

(a) Enroll in the early achievers program by October 1, 2015;

(b) Rate at a level 4 or 5 in the early achievers program by March 1, 2016. If an early childhood education and assistance program provider rates below a level 4 by March 1, 2016, the provider must complete remedial activities with the department, and rate at a level 4 or 5 within six months of beginning remedial activities.

(5) Effective October 1, 2015, a new early childhood education and assistance program provider must complete the requirements in this subsection (5) to be eligible to receive state-funded support under the early childhood education and assistance program:

(a) Enroll in the early achievers program within thirty days of the start date of the early childhood education and assistance program contract;

(b)(i) Except as provided in (b)(ii) of this subsection, rate at a level 4 or 5 in the early achievers program within twelve months of enrollment. If an early childhood education and assistance program provider rates below a level 4 within twelve months of enrollment, the provider must complete remedial activities with the department, and rate at a level 4 or 5 within six months of beginning remedial activities.

(ii) Licensed or certified child care centers and homes that administer an early childhood education and assistance program shall rate at a level 4 or 5 in the early achievers program within eighteen months of the start date of the early childhood education and assistance program contract. If an early childhood education and assistance program provider rates below a level 4 within eighteen months, the provider must complete remedial activities with the department, and rate at a level 4 or 5 within six months of beginning remedial activities.

(6)(a) If an early childhood education and assistance program provider has successfully completed all of the required early achievers program activities and is waiting to be rated by the deadline provided in this section, the provider may continue to participate in the early achievers program as an approved early childhood education and assistance program provider and receive state subsidy pending the successful completion of a level 4 or 5 rating.

(b) To avoid disruption, the department may allow for early childhood education and assistance program providers who have rated below a level 4 after completion of the six-month remedial period to continue to provide services until the current school year is finished.

(7) The department shall collect data periodically to determine the demand for full-day programming for early childhood education and assistance program providers. The department shall analyze this demand by geographic region and shall include the findings in the annual report required under RCW 43.215.102.

(8) By December 1, 2015, the department shall develop a pathway for licensed or certified child care centers and homes to administer an early childhood education and assistance program. The pathway shall include an accommodation for these providers to rate at a level 4 or 5 in the early achievers program according to the timelines and standards established in subsection (5)(b)(ii) of this section.

[2015 3rd sp.s. c 7 § 9; 1994 c 166 § 5; 1988 c 174 § 4; 1985 c 418 § 4. Formerly RCW 28A.215.130, 28A.34A.040.]

NOTES: