§302A-411 Kindergartens; establishment; attendance. (a) The department shall establish and maintain kindergartens with a program of instruction as a part of the public school system; provided that attendance shall not be mandatory. No child shall attend any kindergarten unless the child will be at least five years of age on or before December 31 of the school year; provided that a child attending a school that convenes after the regular school schedule shall be five years of age on or before one hundred twenty-five days following the date the school convenes; and provided further that the board shall develop informational guidance to promote the understanding of a child's readiness for kindergarten.

(b) The department may accept gifts to establish and maintain kindergartens. [L 1996, c 89, pt of §2; am L 1997, c 362, §1]