# Education (GED)

## Title 7. Public Schools

### Subtitle 1A. Publicly Funded Full-Day Prekindergarten Programs

#### Section 7-1A-01

(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.

(b) "Cost of quality" means the per-pupil amount provided under Sec. 5-229 of this article.

(c) "Early childhood educator career ladder" means the career ladder for private provider prekindergarten educators established by the Department under Sec. 7-1A-08 of this subtitle.

(d) "Eligible prekindergarten provider" includes an:

  (1) Eligible public provider; and

  (2) Eligible private provider.

(e)

  (1) "Eligible private provider" means a community-based early learning program that:

    (i) Is licensed in the State;

    (ii) Does not charge more tuition for full-day prekindergarten than the cost of quality; and

    (iii) Meets the requirements under Sec. 7-1A-04 of this subtitle.

  (2) "Eligible private provider" includes the Ulysses Currie Head Start Program under Sec. 5-231 of this article.

(f) "Eligible public provider" means an early learning program that:

  (1) Is provided by a county board at a public school; and

  (2) Meets the requirements under Sec. 7-1A-04 of this subtitle.

(g) "Full-day prekindergarten" means an early learning program with a six and one-half hour school day.

(h) "Prekindergarten program" means an early learning program at an eligible prekindergarten provider.

(i) "Prekindergarten provider hub" means a coordinated partnership between eligible prekindergarten providers and other entities established by the Department under Sec. 7-1A-09 of this subtitle.

(j) "Prekindergarten slot" means the available space for a child to attend a prekindergarten program.

(k) "Tier I child" means a child:

  (1) Who is 3 or 4 years old;

  (2)

    (i) Whose family income is less than or equal to 300% of the federal poverty level; or

    (ii) Who is a homeless youth; and

  (3) Whose family chooses to enroll the child in full-day prekindergarten.

(l) "Tier II child" means a child:

  (1) Who is 4 years old;

  (2)

    (i) In fiscal year 2026, whose family income is more than 300% but not more than 360% of the federal poverty level;

    (ii) In fiscal year 2027, whose family income is more than 300% but not more than 450% of the federal poverty level; and

    (iii) In fiscal year 2028 and in each fiscal year thereafter, whose family income is more than 300% but not more than 600% of the federal poverty level; and

  (3) Whose family chooses to enroll the child in full-day prekindergarten.

(m) "Tier III child" means a child:

  (1) Who is 4 years old;

  (2) Whose family income is more than 600% of the federal poverty level; and

  (3) Whose family chooses to enroll the child in full-day prekindergarten.

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Md. Code Ann., Educ. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)