File: IHBIB - Primary/Preprimary Education

Kindergarten programs

The district shall establish and maintain a kindergarten program or programs. A kindergarten program may be a half-day or full-day program, and the district shall receive state funding for students enrolled in these programs on a half-day or full-day basis, in accordance with state law.

Preschool programs

All district preschool programs shall comply with the rules established by the Department of Education and with the rules for child care centers established by the Department of Human Services.

Children with disabilities

In meeting its obligation to offer an individualized program for children with disabilities at age three, the district shall provide a special education preschool program at no cost to students who have been identified as children with disabilities pursuant to applicable law.

Colorado preschool program

In addition, when the district receives funding from the state to do so, the district shall provide a preschool program as part of the Colorado Preschool Program for three-, four- and five-year-old children who lack learning readiness due to significant family risk factors, who are in need of language development or who are receiving services from the Department of Human Services as neglected or dependent children. All enrolling three-year-olds must lack overall learning readiness that is attributable to at least three of the significant family risk factors.

Parents/guardians wishing to have their children participate in this program shall make application to the district. Participants then shall be selected on the basis of greatest need.

Other children who wish to enroll on tuition basis

In an effort to offer a well-rounded learning experience, the preschool program may be open on a tuition basis to students who have not been identified as children with disabilities pursuant to applicable law or who are not eligible for the program because of the factors listed above. The administration shall develop admission procedures that take into consideration space and staffing requirements.

Current practice codified 1991

Adopted Date of Manual Adoption, January 14, 1992

Revised December 4, 2001

Revised October 22, 2002

Revised October 5, 2004

Revised January 24, 2006

Revised January 9, 2007

Revised December 2, 2008

Revised June 5, 2012

Revised January 14, 2020

Reviewed August 21, 2023

LEGAL REFS.:  C.R.S. 22-20-101 et seq. (Exceptional Children's Educational Act)

C.R.S. 22-28-101 et seq. (Colorado Preschool Program Act)

C.R.S. 22-32-119 (1) (requires establishment of kindergarten program)

C.R.S. 22-32-119.5 (full-day kindergarten phase-in plan)

C.R.S. 22-43.7-201 et seq. (full-day kindergarten capital construction funding)

C.R.S. 22-44-118 (full-day kindergarten reserve)

C.R.S. 22-54-103 (9.5) (definition of preschool enrollment)

C.R.S. 22-54-103 (10) (funding for kindergarten)

C.R.S. 22-54-108.5 (mill levy to fund full-day kindergarten)

C.R.S. 22-54-130, 131 (full-day kindergarten funding)

C.R.S. 26-6-102 (1.5) (definition of child care center)

1 CCR 301-8, Rules 2220-R-1.00 et seq. (Rules for the Administration of the Exceptional Children's Educational Act)

CROSS REF.: IHBA, Special Education Programs for Students with Disabilities