State-funded Preschool Kentucky’s preschool education program serves four-year-old at-risk children (defined as 160% of federal poverty level) and three- and four-year- old children with disabilities.

Head Start Program The Head Start program serves children birth to age five that are at-risk (defined as 160% of federal poverty level) in their Early Start and Head Start Programs. Their transportation requirements differ from State Funded Preschool.

Transportation Regulations Neither state funded preschool nor Head Start are required to provide transportation to preschool age children Both programs typically provide transportation and specific regulations must be followed.

State-funded Preschool 702 KAR 5:150 establishes transportation requirements for preschool children Driver assistant training and certification Liability insurance for driver assistant Safe supervision to and from bus stop

Training Considerations Provide transportation staff with training in child development and behavior management. When using standard school bus, maintain separate seating for preschool children. Preschool regulations specifically require child appropriate instruction on bus safety monthly.

Training Considerations In preschool, bus time is considered instructional time. Drivers and monitors are considered instructors and may be included in classroom evaluations (CLASS, ECERS-3).

Head Start Standards New Head Start Performance Standards, put into effect 2016, are streamlined, simplified, and reorganized to improve clarity and transparency to support high- quality program delivery and minimize administrative burden.

Head Start Standards Transportation is in a new section: New: 45 CFR Part 1303, subpart F Covers Purpose, Vehicles, Vehicle Operations, Trip Routing, Safety and Children with Disabilities

Children with Disabilities Both state funded preschool and Head Start serve students under IDEA. Students receiving specially designed instruction may require transportation as a related service.

State Funded Preschool IDEA: Public school districts must provide transportation to students with disabilities in two situations. These are: If a district provides transportation to and from school for the general student population, then it must provide transportation for a student with a disability.

Head Start – Transportation Performance Standard 1303.75 Must ensure buses or allowable alternate vehicles designed for transportation of children with disabilities are available Must ensure special transportation requirements of a child’s IEP are followed

Special Transportation What does this mean for children in preschool that are in need of special transportation? Does every preschool child with an IEP need special transportation?

Special Transportation The majority of children in preschool with IEP’s may ride a regular bus, without the need for accommodations or related service.

Special Transportation Using Child Restraint Systems (CRS) When is requiring seatbelt use ok? This is a case by case issue. Considerations may be impacted by the child’s IEP. It may be appropriate where the use of a seat belt for a student is necessary to ensure the safety of the student, of the other students or for safe operation of the bus.

Special Transportation Using Child Restraint Systems (CRS) When is requiring seatbelt use ok? Is it in the IEP? If not in the IEP OR the child does not receive special education services, and there is a need to use a seatbelt student, the special education director/preschool coordinator should be contacted. Some districts use a waiver that parents sign for situations like this.

Special Transportation Using Child Restraint Systems (CRS) Training on proper restraint and proper use of restraint is imperative to prevent injury, death or lawsuits.

Early Childhood Consultant/619 Coordinator Contact Information Andrea Bartholomew Early Childhood Consultant/619 Coordinator Kentucky Department of Education Office of Teaching and Learning Division of Program Standards School Readiness Branch (502) 564-7056, ext. 4722 andrea.bartholomew@education.ky.gov