Maine Department of Education - Four Year Old Program

Updated 01/05/11...tm

Transportation Requirements
The Department of Education encourages the provision of transportation to children attending public preschool programs in compliance with guidelines established by NHTSA (National Highway Safety Agency.) Transportation will ensure access to children who may otherwise not be able to attend the program.
Title 20-A 5401 3-A, Maine Education and School Statutes, does provide a provision for a waiver by the commissioner for the requirement that school administrative units provide transportation for public preschool students.
Please refer to NHTSA (National Highway Safety Agency (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/) for federal safety guidelines.

For the safe transportation of pre-school age children in school buses (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/buses/guide1999/prekfinal.htm );
For the proper use of child safety restraint systems (CSRSs) on school buses (http://www.nhtsa.dot.gov/people/injury/buses/busseatbelt/index.html)
For the guideline for choosing the correct school bus for transporting pre-school age children (http://nhtsa.gov/people/injury/buses/choosing_schoolbus/pre-school-bus_01.html ).

A public four year old program in partnership with Head Start must adhere to the Head Start Transportation and Safety Requirements found in 45 CFR Part 1310.
For specific information about transportation requirements/procedures contact:

Pat Hinckley , DOE at 624-6848 or Pat.Hinckley@maine.gov

Four Year Old program Info