KINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR 2009-2010
According to Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-207 concerning the enrollment age for kindergarten for the 2009-2010 school year, students may enter kindergarten in the public schools of this state if the student will attain the age of five (5) years on or before September 1, 2009.
Act 29 of 2009 Regular Session amends Ark. Code Ann. § 6-18-207 to ensure the enrollment age in pre-kindergarten is consistent with the enrollment criteria for entry into public school. This act allows students attending a prekindergarten program to enroll in kindergarten in certain circumstances. Any child not five (5) years old on or before September 1, 2009, must meet all of the following requirements in order to be eligible for enrollment into a public school Kindergarten program during the 2009-2010 school year:
The child must turn five (5) no later than September 15, 2009.
The child must have attended a STATE-APPROVED pre-kindergarten program for at least one hundred (100) days during the 2008-2009 school year.
STATE-APPROVED pre-kindergarten program refers to a pre-kindergarten program that is accredited and quality-approved by the Department of Human Services Division of Child Care and Early Childhood Education Office. A list of state-approved prekindergarten programs may be obtained by contacting the State Department of Human Services (DHS) Division of Child Care Office at 501-682-4888. For questions directly relating to kindergarten enrollment, please contact the Arkansas Department of Education at 501-683-5300.
PREKINDERGARTEN ENROLLMENT REQUIREMENTS FOR 2009-2010
Act 426 of 2009 of the Regular Session has been enacted to allow students to enroll in a pre-kindergarten program for children three (3) years of age if the child will attain three (3) years of age on or before August 1, 2009.
A child may enter a pre-kindergarten program for children four (4) years of age if:
The child will attain four (4) years of age on or before August 15, 2009; or
The child was enrolled in a pre-kindergarten program for children three (3) years of age for a minimum of one hundred (100) days during the 2008-2009 school year.
For more information directly related to pre-kindergarten enrollment, please contact the DHS Division of Child Care Early Childhood Education Office at 501-682-4888.
Act 29 of 2009 Regular Session and Act 426 of 2009 Regular Session are attached to this Commissioner’s Memorandum.