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Laws, Regulations, & Requirements

Legal and regulatory requirements contained in Education Code, California Code of Regulations, Funding Terms & Conditions, Compliance Review Instrument, California School Accounting Manual, and Audit Guide.

Audit Guide for Child Development Contracts
Guidelines for independent auditors who conduct examination of child development services contracts administered by the California Department of Education (CDE).

California Code of Regulations

Regulations are program requirements formally adopted by state agencies, which are also reviewed and approved by the Office of Administrative Law, and filed with the Secretary of State.

  • Title 5, Chapter 19 External link opens in new window or tab.
    Child Care and Development Programs, Subchapters 1-15, Sections 18000-18308
    Title 5, Chapter 19.5 External link opens in new window or tab.
    CalWORKs and Child Care and Development Programs, Subchapters 1-2, Sections 18400-18434
    These regulations define the program operations requirements for a recipient of child care services funds made available by the CDE.

  • Title 22 External link opens in new window or tab.
    Community care facilities license regulations, including child care centers.

California School Accounting Manual

Comprehensive reference source of acceptable accounting principles and practices for local educational agencies.

Federal Program Monitoring/Contract Monitoring Review 2019-20 Program Instrument
The CDE performs reviews of programs offering subsidized child development services. This assessment tool presents each compliance area the child development consultant examines.

Education Code External link opens in new window or tab.
Statutes applied to child care programs identified within the Child Care and Development Services Act.

Funding Terms and Conditions

In conjunction with California Education Code and Title 5, California Code of Regulations, these documents are prepared by contract type and represent a compilation of required program implementation practices.

Early Identification Legislative Report

Proposed Tools and Process for the Early Identification of Developmental Delays and Learning Disabilities - Legislative Report

Early Education Teacher Development Grant Legislative Report

Report to the Legislature and Department of Finance – Evaluating the Impact of the Early Education Teacher Development Grant Expenditures and Outcomes

Questions:   Early Education Division | 916-322-6233
Last Reviewed: Wednesday, November 20, 2024
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Recently Posted in Early Education
  • Management Bulletin 24-12 (added 20-Dec-2024)
    Guidance on the required family childcare provider data elements to be reported.
  • Management Bulletin 24-11 (added 16-Dec-2024)
    Guidance on Cost of Care Plus Rate Allocations and Transitional Payments for the California State Preschool Program
  • Management Bulletin 24-10 (added 13-Dec-2024)
    Guidance on Suspension and Expulsion in California State Preschool Program Family Childcare Home Education Networks.
  • Enrollment Table for Children with Disabilities (added 26-Nov-2024)
    This enrollment table is provided as a resource to be used when preschool-age children with disabilities are placed in an educational program pursuant to their Individual Education Program (IEP).