(a) In this subtitle the following words have the meanings indicated.
(b) “Cost of quality” means the per–pupil amount provided under § 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 § 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 § 7–1A–04 of this subtitle.
(2) “Eligible private provider” includes the Ulysses Currie Head Start Program under § 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 § 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 § 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; and
(ii) In fiscal year 2027 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.