Preschool Program Guidance - Abbott Preschool Program Comprehensive Educational Component

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Preschool Program Guidance

May 23, 2007

TO:	Abbott Chief School Administrators

FROM:	Jacqueline Jones, Ph.D. Assistant Commissioner Division of Early Childhood Education

SUBJECT:	Abbott Preschool Program Comprehensive Educational Component

All Abbott in-district, community provider and Head Start preschool programs must include a six-hour comprehensive educational component meeting Department requirements at N.J.A.C. 6A:10A-2.3. More than six clock hours may be required on a daily basis in order that children receive a six-hour comprehensive educational component. The comprehensive educational component consists of student time engaged with a certified teacher, subject to the following criteria:

Lunch Time

In-district and community provider student lunch time during the school day counts as part of the educational component only if children are with a certified teacher.

In-district teacher lunch time during the school day counts as part of the educational component only if children are with a certified relief teacher.

Community provider teacher lunch time during the student school day does not count as part of the educational component if children are with a teacher assistant or relief teacher assistant, unless the teacher’s lunch time occurs during nap time.

Preparation Time

In-district and community provider teacher preparation time during the school day counts as part of the educational component only if children are with a certified relief teacher. It does not count as part of the educational component if children are with a teacher assistant or relief teacher assistant, unless the teacher preparation time occurs during nap time.

In-district and community provider teacher preparation time may occur before, during or after the student school day, based on district or provider policy.

Note. In-district and community provider nap time during the school day counts as part of the educational component if children are under the supervision of a certified teacher or teacher assistant. Nap time length should be no more than one hour. Specific situations requiring an exception must be approved by the district.

Please contact your preschool program development specialist at (609) 777-2074 if questions arise regarding the educational component of your Abbott preschool program.

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c: Abbott Early Childhood Supervisors