(a) Programs shall demonstrate that the classroom environment provides:

1. (1) Developmentally appropriate practices;
2. (2) Play-based learning;
3. (3) Responsive teaching that builds positive relationships;
4. (4) Individualized instruction;
5. (5) Reflective teaching;
6. (6) Inquiry-based learning; and
7. (7) Collaboration with families.

(b)

1. (1) Each classroom shall be equipped with toys, books, and play apparatus to:

   1. (A) Take care of the needs of the total group; and
   2. (B) Provide each child with a variety of activities throughout the day.

2. (2) A variety of equipment shall be:

   1. (A) Accessible from low shelves to children of all ages; and
   2. (B) Arranged in learning centers.

(c)

1. (1) The program shall be individualized to meet the needs of each student enrolled.
2. (2) Each curriculum model and the actual classroom practice will be assessed using the applicable state-approved classroom assessment tool to ensure the model is developmentally appropriate.

(d) The program shall have a written overall curriculum plan that:

1. (1) Is arranged in thematic:

   1. (A) Units;
   2. (B) Projects; or
   3. (C) Topics of study; and

2. (2) Includes goals and objectives related to the following:

   1. (A) Social/ and, or, or emotional development;
   2. (B) Creative/ and, or, or aesthetic learning;
   3. (C) Cognitive/ and, or, or intellectual learning;
   4. (D) Math, science, and problem solving;
   5. (E) Physical development; and
   6. (F) Language and literacy based on the science of reading.

(e)

1. (1) All programs must utilize a curriculum approved by the Division of Elementary and Secondary Education.
2. (2) A list of approved curriculum models will be made available by the division on an annual basis.
3. (3) A program wishing to use a curriculum not on the list may request, in writing to the division, consideration of an additional curriculum.
4. (4) Program coordinators shall ensure teachers have adequate training on curriculum.

(f) Children shall participate in a daily schedule that reflects a balance among the following types of activities:

1. (1) Indoor/ and, or, or outdoor;
2. (2) Quiet/ and, or, or active;
3. (3) Individual,/ small group,/ and, or, or large group;
4. (4) Gross motor/ and, or, or fine motor; and
5. (5) Child-initiated/ and, or, or teacher-initiated.

(g)

1. (1) Routine and transition times throughout the day, such as preparing for mealtime, shall be used as opportunities for incidental learning.

2. (2) Transition times shall be planned to avoid:

   1. (A) Frequent disruption of children’s activities; and
   2. (B) Long waits between activities.

(h)

1. (1) Programs shall maintain an individual child record onsite.

2. (2) At a minimum, the record shall contain copies of:

   1. (A) Birth certificate, hospital birth record, or other official verification of birth date;
   2. (B) Documentation of child eligibility;
   3. (C) Completed and dated application form;
   4. (D) Emergency information, including nonparental contact and medical information;
   5. (E) Parental authorization for:

(i) Medical care;

1. (ii) Daily pickup; and

   1. (iii) Field trips;
   2. (F) Field trip authorization;
   3. (G) Completed health form and immunization record or proof of current immunizations;
   4. (H) Record of completed developmental screening;
   5. (I) Samples of child’s work;
   6. (J) Teacher and parent observations and summaries of parent-teacher conferences; and
   7. (K) Child Assessment Developmental Checklists.

2. (3)

   1. (A) Child records or any ABC Program file containing personal information on families and children shall be kept in a locked file cabinet with access granted only on a need-to-know basis.
   2. (B) The child record shall be available for inspection by Office of Early Childhood staff.
   3. (C) If certain records must be stored offsite, copies shall be made and given to teachers to maintain in a record onsite.
   4. (D) In maintaining and updating child and family data, ABC Programs shall utilize the state data system.

   5. (E) Other than those documents required to be retained for licensing purposes, teachers shall give a copy of the child’s record to the parent upon completion of or disenrollment from the program or forward the record to the child’s kindergarten program.

      1. (i)

3. (1) Provision should be made through program design and networking efforts to ease the transition of children moving:

   1. (A) From one (1) program or age grouping to another; or
   2. (B) To public school kindergartens.

4. (2) This provision must include:

   1. (A) Individual needs assessments on each child; and
   2. (B) Kindergarten readiness outcomes aligned to the state-approved child assessment.
5. (3) At a minimum, the transition plan shall involve parents and appropriate school district personnel.

(j)

1. (1) ABC Programs are required to provide nutritious meals and snacks for all children enrolled in ABC/ and, or, or ABCSS Programs.
2. (2) The National School Lunch Program (NSLP) provides free or reduced-price meals to eligible children attending a public school preK program based on their household income.

3. (3) Special Nutrition Programs provide reimbursement for meals served to children enrolled in:

   1. (A) The Child Care Food Programs (CACFP);
   2. (B) NSLP; and
   3. (C) The Summer Food Service Program.
4. (4) Mealtime is an opportunity to engage children in conversation about the day and themselves.
5. (5) ABC Program staff shall participate with the children during this time.
6. (6) Children shall be given an appropriate amount of time for meals and conversation.

(k)

1. (1) Parents or guardians of children qualified as eligible for ABC Program services shall not be required to pay any fees or provide food or supplies during ABC Program hours.

2. (2) This includes:

   1. (A) Enrollment fees;
   2. (B) Field trip expenses; or

   3. (C) Uniforms.

      1. (l)
3. (1) Electronic mail is a necessary means by which the office communicates vital information to programs.
4. (2) All participating programs must maintain a working email address that is checked daily.
5. (3) Applicable information shall be distributed to classroom staff by the program coordinator.