(1)  The early childhood education standards are focused on developmentally appropriate supports and strategies to enhance learning outcomes for a child between the ages of 3 and 5 for preschool programs and between the ages of 4 and 5 for early literacy targeted interventions implemented through the classroom-based program for 4-year-olds and summer jumpstart program preceding kindergarten.  Use of these standards for a public preschool program is subject to the funding limits of 20-7-117(2) and 20-9-311(7)(a), MCA.  Use of these standards for early literacy targeted interventions implemented through the classroom-based program for 4-year-olds and summer jumpstart program preceding kindergarten is subject to the provisions of Title 20, chapter 7, part 18, MCA.

(2) The trustees of a school district, pursuant to Title 20, chapter 6, MCA, may establish a public early childhood education program to meet the unique developmental needs for children between the ages of 3 and 5 for preschool programs and between the ages of 4 and 5 for early literacy targeted interventions implemented through the classroom-based program for 4-year-olds and summer jumpstart program preceding kindergarten. When early childhood education programs are established they must be an integral part of the public school and must be governed according to the following accreditation standards for the early childhood education standards of early learning content and accreditation in coordination with the standards outlined for schools within ARM Title 10, chapter 55, excluding 10.55.601, 10.55.602, 10.55.603, 10.55.704, 10.55.705, 10.55.709, 10.55.710, 10.55.712, 10.55.715, and ARM Title 10, chapter 55, subchapters 10 through 21. For the purposes of the accreditation process detailed in ARM 10.55.606, early childhood education programs will be assessed on the programꞌs assurance standards only.

(3) Early childhood education programs shall meet this chapterꞌs curriculum, instruction, and program delivery standards, supporting childrenꞌs development of the knowledge and skills outlined in the content standards in ARM 10.63.110, which describe the expectations for what young children should know, understand, and be able to do across the four core developmental domains of learning upon entrance to kindergarten.

(4) Montanaꞌs early childhood education standards shall be reviewed and revised on a recurring schedule with input from representatives of accredited schools.