A kindergarten may be accredited as a part of an elementary school, in conjunction with a pre-kindergarten program, or as a separate entity. The following standards for kindergarten programs are to be used by school officials who are making application for Provisional, Accredited, or Accredited With Qualitystatus for programs in their schools. The number of standards required to be answered affirmatively in order to meet the 85% required by the Commission for Accredited status is given at the beginning of each section of standards. Documents verifying compliance with the following standards must be provided to the consultant.

1. Organization
   (For Accredited status 5 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 5.)

1. The number of students enrolled in each class is not fewer than five or more than 28 students with a system wide average of 24.2 or less with an aide or 18.2 or less without an aide.
2. A teacher’s aide is provided for each class with more than 21 students enrolled.
3. Complete and accurate permanent records are maintained for all students.
4. The kindergarten program has a current collection of media materials appropriate for the kindergarten student.
5. Each teacher has at least one 30-minute period per day, or a total of 150 minutes per week, during the class day for planning.

2. Personnel
   (For Accredited status 4 affirmative answers are required, including standards 1 through 4.)

1. All teachers hold a bachelor’s degree and have at least 18 semester hours credit in early childhood education. This standard may also be met by teachers with bachelor’s degrees completing 6 semester hours per year of appropriate professional education until 18 semester hours of credit are obtained.
2. The kindergarten unit has an individual designated as principal or headmaster.
3. When a kindergarten program is accredited as part of an elementary school, teachers and all other staff personnel are employed only upon the recommendation of the principal to the superintendent or headmaster.
4. All persons employed as paraprofessionals, auxiliary helpers, or teachers’ aides are under the supervision of a professionally qualified person.

3. Program of Studies
   (For Accredited status 3 affirmative answers are required.)

1. The kindergarten curriculum includes objectives that facilitate the development of proficiency in listening, expressing ideas, speaking clearly, observing clearly, participating in groups, keeping healthy, enjoying aesthetic experiences, and living in a pluralistic society.
2. The objectives of the curriculum facilitate the development of behavior based upon values of honesty and integrity, responsibility for one’s own actions, respect and concern for others, and understanding and acceptance of self.
3. The kindergarten curriculum is adequate in scope to provide for balanced experiences in the development of basic skills, recreation, health, social living, and aesthetic activities.

4. School Plant
   (For Accredited status 6 affirmative answers are required.)

1. A safety preparedness plan has been developed for the school.
2. The location and construction of the building, the lighting, heating and ventilation of the rooms, the nature of the lavatories, corridors, water supply, furniture, apparatus, and methods of cleaning assure hygienic conditions for students and teachers.
3. Thirty square feet of instructional floor space are provided for each student enrolled for each instructional area constructed after 1974.
4. Sanitary conditions exist in the school.
5. All buildings have a Certificate of Occupancy issued by the State Fire Marshall.   Those buildings not eligible to be issued a Certificate of Occupancy by the State Fire Marshall have an acceptable inspection report by an appropriate local, State, or federal fire official on file.
6. Fire drills are conducted monthly.