The bill amends various provisions of Iowa law to enhance early childhood education and care, particularly focusing on the statewide preschool program and the roles of school districts and community-based providers. It introduces community-based providers as approved participants in the preschool program, allowing them to deliver high-quality preschool instruction alongside school districts. State funding for preschool programs will now be based on enrollment figures from both school districts and community-based providers, ensuring equitable allocation of resources. The bill also establishes a pilot program for child care continuum partnership grants within the Department of Health and Human Services, emphasizing the importance of data collection and performance measurement to track student progress.

Additionally, the bill updates the responsibilities and structure of early childhood education services, particularly for at-risk children, by replacing the "child development coordinating council" with the "department of education" for oversight and grant-awarding responsibilities. It mandates the promotion of developmentally appropriate practices and substantial parental involvement in educational materials and standards. Funding allocations for early childhood programs are modified to support at-risk children, with new requirements for grant applications that include evaluation procedures and community collaboration. The legislation aims to improve the quality and accessibility of early childhood education services in Iowa, particularly for vulnerable populations, by establishing accountability systems and enhancing partnerships between preschool providers and licensed child care centers.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 256C.1, 256C.3, 257.16, 256C.4, 256C.5, 17A.4, 256.9, 256.163, 256A.3, 279.49, 256A.5, 237A.26, 262.71, 273.2, 279.51, 256A.2, 279.60, 256I.4, 256I.6, 225A.4
Reprinted: 256.163, 256C.1, 256C.3, 257.16, 256C.4, 256C.5, 17A.4, 256.9, 256A.3, 279.49, 256A.5, 237A.26, 262.71, 273.2, 279.51, 256A.2, 279.60, 256I.4, 256I.6, 225A.4, 256I.9, 237A.13, 256I.7