A. The department shall solicit the delivery of both half-day and full-day early pre- kindergarten and pre-kindergarten program services by publishing a request for proposals or a request for applications that contains the same requested information for pre-kindergarten services.

B. Eligible providers shall submit proposals to the department that shall include a description of the services that will be provided, including:

(1)     how the provider’s services meet department standards;

(2)     the number of eligible children the provider can serve;

(3)     the provider’s site and floor plans and a description of its facilities;

(4)     the revenue sources and non-state funding available for the provider’s delivery of services;

(5)     a description of the qualifications and experience of the provider’s service- delivery staff for each site;

(6)     the provider’s plan for communicating with and involving parents of children in the early pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten programs;

and (7)     how the provider’s services meet the continuum of services to children;

(8)     other relevant information.

C. The department shall accept and evaluate proposals or applications for the delivery of early pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten program services by eligible providers.

D. In selecting among proposals and applications for the delivery of early pre- kindergarten and pre-kindergarten program services, the department shall give priority to programs in communities with public elementary schools designated as Title I schools in which at least sixty-six percent of the children served reside within the attendance zone of a Title I elementary school. It shall further consider:

(1)     the number of eligible children residing in the community and the number of eligible children proposed to be served;

(2)     the adequacy and capacity of pre-kindergarten facilities in the community; (3)     the availability of language and literacy services in the community;

(4)     the cultural, historic and linguistic responsiveness to the community;

(5)     the availability of parent education services for parents of eligible children in the community;

(6)     staff professional development plans;

(7)     the capacity of local organizations and persons interested in and involved in programs and services for eligible children and their commitment to work together;

(8)     the degree of local support for early pre-kindergarten and pre-kindergarten program services in the community; and

(9)     other relevant criteria specified by department rule.

E. A contract with an eligible provider for early pre-kindergarten and pre- kindergarten program services shall provide that funds not be used for any religious, sectarian or denominational purposes, instruction or material.