§9402 Definitions

Summary

Defines key words used in the chapter. Caregiver is a person (for example, a relative, neighbor, or family friend) who regularly cares for a child who is not their parent, paid or unpaid. Child care provider is a person or program that offers paid, non-residential child care (such as centers, family, or in-home care) and follows state and local rules. Early learning is teaching meant to help young children build thinking, language, motor, and social-emotional skills and get ready for school. Early learning program is either a service that helps parents, caregivers, and providers include early learning in daily life or a program that teaches young children directly. Indian tribe has the meaning given in section 5304 of title 25. Local Council is one set up or named under section 9413(a) of this title. Locality is a city, county, borough, township, similar local area, an Indian tribe, a Regional Corporation, or a Native Hawaiian entity. Parent includes biological, adoptive, stepparent, foster parent, legal guardian, or someone acting in place of a parent. Poverty line is the amount set by the Office of Management and Budget and updated yearly under section 9902(2) of title 42 for the family size. Regional Corporation is an entity listed in section 619(4)(B) of title 42. Secretary means the Secretary of Health and Human Services. State means the several States, the District of Columbia, and the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico. Training is early learning instruction that is required for state or local certification, needed for a national or state credential, part of a college program focused on early learning, or provided or certified by a recognized early learning organization. Young child means any child from birth until the age the State requires school attendance.