IA HF2493

Expands preschool eligibility to include children who turn five years old between March 15 and September 15 of the calendar year, in addition to four-year-olds who are four by September 15

Children enrolled in the preschool program under the expanded eligibility will be considered of compulsory attendance age under Iowa Code section 299.1A, subsection 3

Prohibits counting a child for state funding purposes if that child was already counted for preschool program funding in a prior school year

Allows school districts with available space and funding to enroll younger or older children who don't meet the standard age requirements, though these children cannot be counted for state funding

Extends eligibility for community-based preschool services (through chapter 28E agreements) to include five-year-olds meeting the new age criteria, in addition to four-year-olds