Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-118.25
Current through Register Vol. 47, No. 11, December 11, 2024
Rule 441-118.25 - Criteria for IQ4K-Level 5 child care center, preschool, or program operating under the authority of an accredited school district or nonpublic school(1)Criteria for each category. To be rated at Level 5, an eligible facility must satisfy all of the criteria in each of the seven designated categories listed in Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 or complete all of the criteria designated in its respective specialized tracks for Levels 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. To be rated at a Level 5, an eligible facility must also meet the following criteria: a.Minimum score. The facility must earn a minimum score of 5.0 in each assessed classroom on the appropriate ERS.b.Approved assessor. An assessor approved by the department or department's designee must perform an environment rating assessment.c.Number of classrooms assessed. At least one-third of the facility's classrooms must be assessed, including at least one classroom in each age group serviced by the facility.d.Time frame for assessment. Programs eligible for ERS assessment must undergo their assessment within 90 days of department approval unless an extension is requested and approved by the department.e.Assessments not done timely. Programs that do not undergo their assessment within 90 days of approval by the department or do not receive an approved extension from the department shall forfeit their opportunity for an assessment and will be awarded an IQ4K Level 4 rating with an effective date as outlined in rule 441-118.11(237A).(2)Nutrition and physical activity.a. The program shall choose one of the following:(1) The program shall actively participate in CACFP, NSLP, or another department-approved CNP and shall identify and implement two nutrition goals from the completed action plan in Level 1.(2) If exempt from CACFP or NSLP, the program shall identify and implement four nutrition goals from the completed action plan in Level 1.b. The program shall identify and implement four physical activity goals from the completed action plan in Level 1.(3)Professional development.a. All teaching staff shall complete 12 annual hours or more of professional development.b. Sixty percent or more of all lead teachers and the internal coach shall complete the EC-PBIS trainings as follows:(1) EC-PBIS Preschool modules 3a and 3b.(2) EC-PBIS Infant and Toddler modules 3.(3) Prevent-Teach-Reinforce for Young Children (PTR-YC).(4)Family and community partnerships.a. The program shall complete five activities annually that promote partnerships.b. The program shall offer one additional conference with each family of preschool age children in care, per year, to discuss each child's progress, strengths, and needs in all developmental areas. Assessment information shall be shared with the family.(5)Teaching staff qualifications. The average score for all teaching staff shall be eight points or more on the IQ4K teaching staff qualification worksheet.(6)Teaching and learning.a. The teaching staff shall work with families and other experts to implement instructional and environmental adaptations that support learning for each child, including those with diverse needs, identified disabilities, language barriers, identified behavioral health needs and specialized health needs.b. The leadership team shall complete PW PBIS training. A leadership team must include an administrator, internal coach and teacher.(7)Environment.a. Eighty percent or more of lead teachers shall complete an appropriate ERS training, choosing between ITERS, ECERS or SACERS, as applicable to ages served, and provide a certificate of completion.b. One-third of all classrooms shall receive an overall score of five or higher on each classroom's ERS assessment when using a minimum of one classroom per scale, if applicable.c. The program shall score an average of 2.75 or higher on the health and safety checklist for early care and education.(8)Leadership and administration.a. The program administrator shall meet Tier 2 or higher on the Iowa early care and education program administrator roles career pathway.b. The program administrator shall have three or more years of full-time experience as a program administrator.Iowa Admin. Code r. 441-118.25
Adopted by IAB April 6, 2022/Volume XLIV, Number 20, effective 6/1/2022