Substitute Bill No. 26 - Early Childhood Education Summary

• Expands school readiness program eligibility to include programs "seeking accreditation" in addition to accredited programs, allowing more flexible pathways for providers while building toward full accreditation standards.

• Increases per-child funding minimum from $8,346 to $8,670 annually for fiscal year 2015 and thereafter, with funding determined within available appropriations rather than capped at a maximum amount.

• Establishes new grant program through the Office of Early Childhood for eligible towns and regional councils to fund startup costs and provide spaces in school readiness programs for children in priority school areas and low-wealth towns.

• Transfers child day care center and family day care home licensing authority from the Department of Public Health to the Office of Early Childhood, effective July 1, 2014, consolidating early childhood education regulation.

• Transfers youth camp regulation from Department of Public Health to Office of Early Childhood and requires annual unannounced inspections of all licensed family day care homes instead of the previous 33% sample inspection requirement.