D.C. Code § 38-291: Co-location of early childhood education microcenters in public school buildings.

(a)

By May 31, 2027, the District of Columbia Public Schools ("DCPS"), in coordination with the Department of General Services, the Office of the State Superintendent of Education, the Department of Buildings, and any other relevant District agencies or stakeholders, shall conduct a planning and design study to assess the feasibility of establishing early childhood education microcenters in public school buildings. The study shall:

(1)

Assess the facility, licensing, operational, staffing, and funding requirements for microcenters;

(2)

Evaluate how microcenters and existing in-school early childhood centers could support educator recruitment and retention in the District;

(3)

Recommend policy changes necessary to implement microcenters and prioritize the children of educators and staff in existing in-school early childhood centers;

(4)

Include a cost-modeling analysis for the implementation of at least 3 microcenters that includes tiered levels of tuition based on childcare costs, savings from rent and facilities costs, and school employees' salary scales; and

(5)

Recommend timelines and costs for implementing 3 or more microcenters.

(b)

(1)

By September 30, 2027, based on the findings in the planning and design study conducted pursuant to subsection (a) of this section, DCPS, in consultation with the Deputy Mayor for Education, shall identify not fewer than 3 school buildings to host microcenters for the purpose of providing infant and toddler child care for children of educators and staff at the host school and nearby schools. Each selected school building shall include at least one classroom or comparable space suitable for conversion into a licensed child development center serving infants, toddlers, or both.

(2)

In selecting host sites, DCPS shall consider:

(A)

The demonstrated need among educators and staff at the host school and nearby schools;

(B)

Geographic location of the host schools, with an emphasis on whether the host site is located where educators and staff at multiple schools may reasonably access childcare;

(C)

Whether the host school has underutilized classroom space or other suitable space that may be converted into a childcare facility without reducing instructional programming space for enrolled students, taking into consideration the school's current and projected enrollment and future plans to modernize the school;

(D)

The feasibility and cost of retrofitting the space to comply with applicable child development facility licensing, building, and safety requirements; and

(E)

The availability of age-appropriate outdoor space.

(c)

(1)

DCPS shall enter into a lease for a minimum of 5 years with one or more child development facility operators, community-based organizations, or other qualified entities to operate each microcenter at the host schools selected pursuant to subsection (b) of this section.

(2)

The agreement shall specify:

(A)

The responsibilities of DCPS, including facilities maintenance, utilities, security, custodial services, repairs, and capital improvements;

(B)

The responsibilities of the operator to obtain and maintain all required licenses, certifications, and appropriate staffing levels;

(C)

The tuition structure for educators and staff at the host and nearby schools, including how any reduced facilities costs will be reflected in reduced tuition;

(D)

The use of shared or ancillary spaces;

(E)

Enrollment procedures for microcenter children; and

(F)

Health, safety, emergency, and host and family communication procedures.

(d)

Enrollment in a microcenter shall be prioritized as follows:

(1)

Children of teachers and assistant teachers employed at the host school who are also District residents;

(2)

Children of non-teaching staff, including administrators, support staff, and non-instructional staff employed at the host school who are also District residents;

(3)

Children of teachers and assistant teachers employed at nearby DCPS schools who are also District residents;

(4)

Children of non-teaching staff, including administrators, support staff, and non-instructional staff employed at nearby DCPS schools who are also District residents;

(5)

Children of teachers and assistant teachers employed at the host school who are not District residents;

(6)

Children of non-teaching staff, including administrators, support staff, and non-instructional staff employed at the host school who are not District residents;

(7)

Children of teachers and assistant teachers employed at nearby DCPS schools who are not District residents;

(8)

Children of non-teaching staff, including administrators, support staff, and non-instructional staff employed at nearby DCPS schools who are not District residents; and

(9)

Children of staff at the microcenter.

(e)

For the purposes of this section, the term:

(1)

"Child development facility" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 4-401(2B).

(2)

"Community-based organization" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 4-401(3A-i).

(3)

"Infant" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 4-401(4D).

(4)

"Microcenter" means a licensed child development facility located inside a DCPS building that provides childcare services to infants, toddlers, or both and has a licensed capacity of not more than 12 children.

(5)

"Nearby" means within a 2-mile radius of the host school.

(6)

"Toddler" shall have the same meaning as provided in § 4-401(7).