1. (1) The early childhood education program shall ensure an appropriate and well-maintained safe and healthful physical environment that:

   1. (a) is designed to protect student health and safety;
   2. (b) allows for supervision of students primarily by sight;
   3. (c) provides sanitization according to state and federal health standards;
   4. (d) follows state and federal guidelines for meals and snacks; and
   5. (e) provides safe, supervised, and adequate outside play space with age-appropriate equipment and safe, adequate indoor space for each child.

2. (2) The early childhood education program shall ensure a safe and healthful learning environment by:

   1. (a) providing a written predictable but flexible schedule that provides intentionally planned routines and transitions; and

   2. (b) providing daily indoor and outdoor activities, including:

      1. (i) planned learning center time where students have individual choice of activities;
      2. (ii) daily opportunities to learn and play individually, in small groups, and as a whole group; and
      3. (iii) use of developmentally appropriate materials and equipment.

Authorizing statute(s): Mont. Const. Art. X, sec. 9, 20-2-114, 20-7-101, 20-7-1803, MCA

Implementing statute(s): Mont. Const. Art. X, sec. 9, 20-7-101, 20-7-117, 20-7-1803, MCA

History: NEW, 2014 MAR p. 2943, Eff. 7/1/15; AMD, 2024 MAR p. 722, Eff. 4/13/24.