Lesson 2 (Part 1):
Certification &
Recertification Timelines

Guidance

Contractors have 120 calendar days prior to the first day of the beginning of the new Part-Day Preschool year to certify eligibility and enroll families into their program, AND continue enrollment when openings become available throughout the year.

Once a family establishes eligibility, they will remain eligible and receive services for the remainder of the program year, AND for the following program year, as long as child is age-eligible.

Regulations/Reference

Title 5: 17752 & 17752.5

Video Description: This video explains the certification and recertification timelines for a family enrolled in a Part-Day State Preschool program.

Certification

Earliest Date to Certify Eligibility

Contractors may start certifying eligibility and enrolling children 120 calendar days prior to the first day of the beginning of the new preschool year, AND contractors continue enrollment when openings become available throughout the year.

Formula: First Day of Preschool minus 120 calendar days = Earliest date contractor can start certifying eligibility for the upcoming school year

Example: August 19, 2026 (First Day of Preschool) minus 120 calendar days = April 21, 2026

Child Certification Period

Once certified, a child will remain eligible & receive services for the remainder of the school year AND for the following school year, as long as the child is age-eligible.

Formula: Remainder of current program year + next program year (if age-eligible)

Example #1: Child is age-eligible for 1 program year, and will start a full-day kindergarten next school year

• Certified within 120 days prior to first day of school: 8/4/25 (first day of school) until 6/5/2026 (last day of school)

• Certified after first day of school: 10/2/25 (first day of school) until 6/5/2026 (last day of school)

Example #2: Child is age-eligible for 2 program years (first day or remainder of school year + next school year)

• Certified within 120 days prior to first day of school: 8/4/25 (first day of school) until 6/5/2027 (current program year through last day of next program year)

• Certified after first day of school: 10/2/25 (first day of school) until 6/5/2027 (current program year through last day of next program year)

NOTE: Online Calculators are available in Resources/Eligibility to help determine Preschool Age, 120 Calendar Days, and Child’s Certification Period.

Recertification

In the event that a child is age-eligible for a 3rd part-day preschool program year, recertify eligibility within 120 calendar days prior to the first day of the beginning of the new preschool year.

Flow of recertification process is as follows:

1. Notification to Recertify: Notification to recertify is sent to family 120 calendar days prior to the new preschool program year.

2. Recertification Appointment: Family brings in documentation prior to the new school year, as indicated on the Documentation Checklist.

3. Denial | Termination: If family does not complete the recertification prior to new year OR if family is no longer eligible for services, issue a Notice of Action to terminate/deny services.

Sibling Enrollment

Preschool admission priorities are based on the child, not family; therefore, if a family has a second child that is wanting to enroll into State Preschool, the sibling can not be enrolled until it is their turn to enroll based on the preschool admission priorities.

What this looks like in practice:

STEP 1: Place child on CSPP waiting list.

STEP 2: When child is selected from the waiting list for enrollment, review CURRENT certification period timeline AND collect any additional required documentation needed for enrollment.

STEP 3: Issue Notice of Action to enroll the sibling.

Department Transfers (CDSS to CSPP)

ONLY APPLICABLE if a contractor serves families in both California Department of Social Service (CDSS) Programs and State Preschool (CSPP):

A family may request to transfer their child from a CDSS program, such as General Child Care (CCTR), into your State Preschool program. Typically, this would be due to a child aging-out, or simply wanting to transfer into your State Preschool classroom. For continuity of services, if eligible, the family may transfer during their certification period into your State Preschool program.

What this looks like in practice:

STEP 1: Review CURRENT certification timeline

STEP 2: Transfer child to State Preschool and extend certification period

STEP 3: Issue Notice of Actions (NOA)

1. NOA to dis-enroll child from CDSS program due to transferring into State Preschool (NOA with CDSS appeal unit information)

2. NOA to enroll child into State Preschool based on child transferring from a CDSS program into State Preschool. Certification period will be extended through the remainder of the program year in which the certification period for the CDSS program would otherwise end. (NOA with CDE appeal unit information)

   Example:

   CCTR Certification End Date: 11/3/2026

   Child Transfer Date to CSPP: 2/20/2026

   11/3/2026 + end of preschool year = last day of preschool 2027

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