1. A. In this chapter, the following terms have the meanings indicated.

2. B. Terms Defined.

   1. (1) “Certificate of approval” means the document issued by the State Board to the legal authority responsible for governing and operating a school if the school has met the requirements of this chapter.
   2. (2) “Child care center license” means the document issued by the Department pursuant to COMAR 13A.16 that authorizes the recipient to operate a child care center.
   3. (3) “Class” means a group of students scheduled to report regularly to a teacher at a particular time and place for the implementation of an educational program.
   4. (4) “Department” means the State Department of Education.
   5. (5) “Department representative” means an individual designated by the Department to determine compliance with this chapter.

   6. (6) “Educational program” means an organized program of instruction that:

      1. (a) Is provided by a teacher; and
      2. (b) Meets the requirements of Regulation .07 of this chapter.
   7. (7) “Institution of higher education (IHE)” means a college or university that is accredited by an accrediting commission of one of the regional associations of colleges and schools.
   8. (8) “Letter of compliance” means a document issued by the Department pursuant to this subtitle that authorizes the recipient to operate a letter of compliance facility.
   9. (9) “Montessori program” means an educational program based on the pedagogical philosophy of Dr. Maria Montessori, as reflected in the program's teacher qualifications, curriculum, instructional methods, and materials and equipment.
   10. (10) “Nursery school” means an educational program for children who are 2 years old, 3 years old, 4 years old, or any consecutive sequence of these ages.
   11. (11) “Office” means the central office or a regional office of the Department's Division of Early Childhood Development, Office of Child Care.

   12. (12) “Operator” means:

       1. (a) The nonpublic entity registered as active with the State Department of Assessments and Taxation that is responsible for governing and operating a school;
       2. (b) The individual or entity to which a child care center license or a letter of compliance has been issued by the Department; or
       3. (c) A bona fide church organization that is approved by the State Board to operate an educational program.
   13. (13) “State Board” means the Maryland State Board of Education.

   14. (14) “Teacher” means an individual who:

       1. (a) Provides instruction to children enrolled in an educational program; and
       2. (b) Meets the requirements of Regulation .06B of this chapter.

Authority: Education Article, §§9.5-401, 9.5-404, 9.5-405, 9.5-409, 9.5-411, and 9.5-413—9.5.418; General Provisions Article, §4-333;
Human Services Article, §1-202; Annotated Code of Maryland
Agency Note: Federal Statutory Reference — Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (42 U.S.C. §12101 et seq.);
Pro-Children Act of 1994 (20 U.S.C. §6081 et seq.);
Child Care Development Block Grant (45 CFR Parts 98 and 99 and 42 U.S.C. 9858 et seq.);
Social Security Act §418 (42 U.S.C. 618)

Effective date: April 23, 2007 (34:8 Md. R. 768)

Regulation .02B amended effective July 28, 2008 (35:15 Md. R. 1350)

Regulation .08D amended effective July 28, 2008 (35:15 Md. R. 1350)

Chapter recodified from COMAR 13A.14.13 to COMAR 13A.17.14 effective October 20, 2008 (35:21 Md. R. 1827)

Regulation .02B amended effective April 19, 2010 (37:8 Md. R. 619); January 13, 2020 (47:1 Md. R. 16)

Regulation .03B amended effective April 19, 2010 (37:8 Md. R. 619); January 13, 2020 (47:1 Md. R. 16)

Regulation .06 amended effective April 19, 2010 (37:8 Md. R. 619)

Regulation .08D amended effective April 19, 2010 (37:8 Md. R. 619)