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

Certification

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.

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.

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

Recertification

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 NOA 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.

Program Transfers (CDSS to CSPP)

ONLY APPLICABLE if a contractor serves families in both CDSS Programs and State Preschool:

A family may request to transfer their child from a CDSS program, such as General Child Care, 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

Issue Notice of Action to transfer child from CDSS program to 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.

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