State education officials outline rules, timeline to license nonpublic pre-K under Act 409

Assistant Superintendent Barry Carter and Deputy Assistant Superintendent Karen Powell of the Louisiana Department of Education on July 17 reviewed proposed revisions to state licensing bulletins designed to implement Act 409 of the 2025 regular legislative session, which requires licensure of many nonpublic prekindergarten programs and adds other child‑safety and reporting obligations. Carter told the Early Childhood Care and Education Advisory Council that the department is preparing training and outreach for what he said are 254 nonpublic pre‑K programs that will need to apply for licensure and that “the deadline is 01/01/2026 for the new licensures to be put in, okay? So for them to apply for the license by 01/01/2026.” Powell said most of the bulletin edits are “about complying with and aligning with Act 409” and that the draft changes add or revise definitions, licensure rules, inspection and renewal timing, and several safety and documentation requirements. She told the council the department plans webinars, new‑user guidance for EdLink, and repeated training opportunities through December to help providers make the transition. Council discussion focused on several implementation details that the department flagged as areas of change or concern. Powell said the revised definition of “early learning center” will explicitly include nonpublic school pre‑K programs so the bulletin can apply consistent requirements across centers and school‑based programs. She added the definition was drafted to exclude registered family day care homes when the…