SECTION 210:15-11-2. Rules and regulations for early childhood education programs

(a)   The number of children in a group shall not exceed twenty (20). The adult child ratio shall not exceed 1:10. Any enrollment that exceeds ten (10) shall require the employment of a teacher assistant.

(b)   The school district shall ensure the teacher assistant is provided professional development in early childhood education.

(c)   A child may attend less than the two and one-half (2 1/2) hours a day the first five (5) days of the semester.

(d)   The program shall encourage family involvement to support the child's education experience.

(e)   The learning environment shall:

(1)   be arranged to provide for individual and group learning experiences

(2)   be equipped with movable furniture of the correct size

(3)   have adequate materials and supplies available in sufficient quantities to meet the needs of the children in the class

(4)   have restroom facilities that will accommodate four-year-olds

(5)   provide for a playground area that is accessible and safe

(f)   It is recommended that space requirements be based on thirty-five (35) square feet per child, and that the classroom have a sink with running water.

(g)   The curriculum shall be appropriate for the age and developmental level of the students. A process to provide continuity between the early childhood program and the kindergarten program shall be established.

(h)   The school district shall provide for individual student screening and referral for vision and hearing.

(i)   A school district is authorized to adopt a policy providing for exemptions to the maximum age limit for half-day or full-day early childhood programs. Such a policy may allow for enrollment in the district's early childhood programs by students who are older than five (5) if they meet the district's criteria for early childhood program age exemptions. A school district that adopts an early childhood program age exemption policy is encouraged to consider guidelines which take into account that young children may differ in developmental age due to factors including, but not limited to, premature birth and significant illness or injury during early childhood. Adoption of a maximum age exemption policy for early childhood programs does not relieve a school district of its obligations to identify and serve students with disabilities under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA). A student who is granted an exemption and enrolled in a school district's early childhood program under an age exemption policy shall be included as a half-day or full-day early childhood program student for State Aid purposes in the district's weighted pupil grade level calculations.

[Source: Amended at 16 Ok Reg 45, eff 10-09-98 (emergency); Amended at 16 Ok Reg 1750, eff 6-11-99; Amended at 22 Ok Reg 554, eff 2-8-05 (emergency); Amended at 22 Ok Reg 1848, eff 6-25-05; Amended at 34 Ok Reg 1078, eff 9-11-17]