MN SF1812

Establishes universal preschool program for four-year-old children who are at least four years old on September 1 and not yet enrolled in kindergarten.

Requires qualifying preschool programs to meet standards including a 9:1 child-to-adult ratio, minimum 2.5 hours per day four days per week, aligned curriculum with kindergarten, and at least 50 percent of teachers licensed in early childhood education by January 1, 2016.

Authorizes school districts to provide preschool directly or contract with qualifying providers including private preschools, Head Start programs, and child care centers with educational components.

Limits payment to contract providers to the basic general education formula allowance per child for full-year enrollment, with 10 percent bonus available for programs offering additional services like home visits and parent support for at-risk children.

Amends pupil unit counting formula to count four-year-old universal preschool participants as 1.0 pupil units for funding purposes beginning fiscal year 2016.