IN SB0204

Establishes the pre-kindergarten grant program within the bureau of child care to fund child care or preschool for children from low-income families in the year immediately before kindergarten entry

Eligibility requires children to be eligible for the children's health insurance program (CHIP) but not eligible for the federal Child Care and Development Fund voucher program

Child care providers must have at least a level 3 certification on Indiana's child care quality rating and improvement system to participate

Grant amounts based on a sliding scale tied to family income, ranging from 50% to 100% of the average annual cost of child care in Indiana

Creates the pre-kindergarten grant fund with annual appropriations from the state general fund, with rules to be adopted by August 31, 2012, applications accepted by November 1, 2012, and funding beginning by August 1, 2013