Preschool open doors program

(a) There is established within the department's child care assistance program a preschool open doors program. The program is intended to support families in accessing early learning services for young children. The program shall: (1) Provide access to early learning services that address children's physical, cognitive, linguistic, social, and emotional development; (2) Require each provider to conduct early learning assessments; and (3) Prepare children for school through either of the State's two official languages. (b) Subject to the availability of funds, the program shall continuously serve children who are in the three years before kindergarten entry until they enter kindergarten pursuant to section 302A‑411. (c) A child care program chosen by a parent or guardian for the purposes of this chapter shall be limited to: (1) A group child care center that is licensed by the department under section 346-161; (2) A group child care home that is licensed by the department under section 346-161; or (3) An exempt center-based provider that meets the requirements of section 346-152.5. (d) Participation in the program shall not require group child care centers or group child care homes to be accredited by an approved accredited body. (e) Enrollment in the program shall be voluntary. A parent or guardian of a child enrolled in the program may share in the costs of the program through a copayment according to a sliding fee scale that is based on need pursuant to rules adopted by the department. (f) The department may adopt interim rules to carry out the purposes of this section without regard to chapter 91 or 201M; provided that: (1) The department shall hold at least one public hearing prior to the adoption of interim rules; (2) The interim rules shall comply with all applicable state and federal laws; and (3) The interim rules shall be effective for no more than one year after their adoption.