1. (1) Definitions.

   1. (a) “Parent” means individual defined in Rule 6M-4.200, F.A.C.
   2. (b) “Potentially eligible” means that the family’s application appears to meet the requirements for eligibility but the family has not yet submitted necessary documentation to determine eligibility.
   3. (c) “Prequalifying questions” means questions that parents must answer prior to submitting an application. The prequalifying questions screen families according to the school readiness eligibility requirements pursuant to Section 1002.87, F.S., and subsection 6M-4.200(2) or (3), F.A.C.
   4. (d) “Revalidation” means the process of a family’s confirmation that the information about the family on the waiting list is current.
   5. (e) “Removal” means that a family is removed from the waiting list for a reason identified in paragraph (4)(d).
   6. (f) “Waiting list” means a coalition-maintained list of children waiting for potential enrollment in the school readiness program once funding is available. The list is a record of the names of parent(s), the names and dates of birth of their children, waiting list date and anticipated eligibility, annual family income and priority category.

2. (2) Prequalifying Questions and School Readiness Application.

   1. (a) To participate in the school readiness program, parents must apply through the single statewide information system (SSIS) established in Section 1002.81(13), F.S., and available at https://familyservices.floridaearlylearning.com. Parents must first complete a prequalifying questionnaire. If the results of the prequalifying questions indicate that the family may be potentially eligible, the family will then be directed to the School Readiness Application. As part of the application, parents must submit the required document(s) per parent in the household as described within the application.
   2. (b) Forms DEL-SR 01-PQ, Prequalifying Questions (March 2026) (HYPERLINK "http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-19100"http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-19100) and DEL-SR 01, School Readiness Application (March 2026) (HYPERLINK "http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-19101"http://flrules.org/Gateway/reference.asp?No=Ref-19101) are hereby incorporated by reference and may be obtained from the division’s website at www.fldoe.org/schools/early-learning/rep-pol-guide/.
   3. (c) For at-risk families identified in Section 1002.81(1), F.S., who have a valid child care authorization, eligibility determination will not be dependent on completion of the prequalifying questions and application, however, an application must be completed no later than 14 calendar days after eligibility determination.
   4. (d) For relative caregiver, child protection where the child is not placed with a relative, and TANF child only cases, the family’s income and assets are based on the child’s income only.

3. (3) Eligibility Screening.

   1. (a) Early learning coalitions must review each application and required documentation within 20 calendar days of submission to determine if the parent is potentially eligible pursuant to Section 1002.87(1), F.S, and notify the parent if the eligibility criteria have or have not been met.
   2. (b) If the coalition determines that the family is potentially eligible and funding is available, the early learning coalition will inform the family of the required documents to conduct an eligibility determination pursuant to Section 1002.87, F.S., and Rules 6M-4.200 and 6M-4.208, F.A.C. Upon determining the family eligible for the school readiness program, the child is eligible for enrollment with a provider delivering the school readiness program.
   3. (c) If the family is potentially eligible and funding is not available, the early learning coalition will place the child on its waiting list according to subsection (4).
   4. (d) If at any time a family appears ineligible, the early learning coalition must offer the parent Child Care Resources and Referral services pursuant to Rule 6M-9.300, F.A.C.

4. (4) Waiting List Management. Each coalition must utilize a waiting list as an enrollment management tool for the school readiness program on an ongoing basis. An early learning coalition cannot purge its waiting list by removing all children at one time. A coalition’s waiting list management must consist of:

   1. (a) Placement of Children on the Waiting List.

      1. A family will be placed on the waiting list on a first-come, first-serve basis, based on the date of the approved application, the potential eligibility priority categories specified in Section 1002.87(1), F.S., household income and the age of the child. An early learning coalition may consider local service priorities within a priority category.

      2. Following placement on the waiting list, a parent may update information reported in the School Readiness application. The coalition shall review the updated information according to this rule. If the family remains potentially eligible, the family shall retain its place on the waiting list. If a parent requests school readiness program services for an additional child, the coalition must add this child in accordance with this rule and according to the initial date the family was placed on the waiting list.

      3. An unborn child will not be eligible for the waiting list.

   2. (b) Revalidation. At least once every six (6) months from the date the family was initially placed on the waiting list or from the last revalidation date the parent must submit updated information regarding eligibility. The coalition must notify the parent 30 calendar days prior to the revalidation date.
   3. (c) Availability of Funding. No less than monthly, an early learning coalition must analyze fiscal and programmatic data to determine the availability of funding for school readiness services. At a minimum, such data must include a coalition’s waiting list data and its school readiness budget, including utilization and projections derived from school readiness enrollment/attrition, funding notification response rate, attendance and reimbursement reports. Within thirty (30) calendar days after a coalition determines funding is available, it must issue notifications to parents to potentially enroll in the school readiness program. The notice will provide instructions on how to complete the school readiness eligibility determination process pursuant to Rule 6M-4.208, F.A.C.

   4. (d) Removal from the Waiting List. The coalition must notify the parent of removal from the waiting list. The notification will include the reason why the family was not placed on the waiting list or why the family or child was removed from the waiting list. Notice of removal is not required when funding becomes available for the child to receive school readiness services and the child is enrolled with a school readiness provider. A family will be removed from the waiting list under the following circumstances:

      1. Failure to maintain accurate contact information;

      2. Failure to meet the school readiness eligibility requirements;

      3. Failure to confirm information. The parent does not validate its information by the due date indicated on the notification;

      4. Over age limitations. Any child on the waiting list age 13 or older will be removed from the waiting list;

      5. School readiness services no longer needed. The parent indicates that school readiness services are no longer needed;

      6. The parent does not respond to the notification for available funding by the due date;

      7. The family no longer resides in the early learning coalition’s service delivery area; or

      8. Funding becomes available for the child to receive school readiness services and the child is enrolled with a school readiness provider.

5. (5) Reapplication.

   1. (a) If a family is removed from the waiting list, a parent may reapply for school readiness services and must be screened for eligibility according to subsection (3) to be placed back onto the waiting list and receive a new waiting list date.
   2. (b) If a family on the waiting list of an early learning coalition moves out of the coalition’s service area, the family must reapply for eligibility services with the coalition operating in the family’s new location. The family will receive a new waiting list date with the coalition offering services in the new location.

Rulemaking Authority 1001.02(1), (2)(n), 1002.85(2)(b)1., 1002.87(3) FS. Law Implemented 1002.81(13), 1002.82(2)(f)1.c., 1002.84(2), 1002.85(2)(b)1., 1002.87(3) FS. History–New 4-21-03, Formerly 60BB-4.300, Amended 8-21-16, 8-20-18, 3-26-26.