Iowa 2025-2026 Regular Session

Iowa House Bill HF460

Introduced
2/19/25  

Caption

A bill for an act relating to play-based learning in preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten.

Impact

If enacted, HF460 would impact existing state education statutes by stipulating the required amount of play-based learning hours per school day. For instance, prekindergarten programs would need to include at least 90 minutes of play-based learning during each half-day and 180 minutes during each full day. Additionally, kindergarten programs would require at least 45 minutes of play-based learning daily. This integration aims to provide a more enriching learning environment for young children, aligning educational practices with developmental appropriateness.

Summary

House File 460 aims to establish mandatory play-based learning standards within preschool, prekindergarten, and kindergarten programs in Iowa. The bill specifically mandates that school districts, charter schools, accredited nonpublic schools, and innovation zone schools must integrate play-based learning into their curriculums. It defines play-based learning as an educational approach that emphasizes child-directed play and experiences, which should help in holistic development by allowing children to explore, discover, and express themselves in a structured environment.

Conclusion

In summary, HF460 seeks to revamp early childhood education in Iowa through a structured, yet flexible, curriculum focused on play. By positioning play as a fundamental component of learning, it aims to align educational standards with modern understandings of child development, potentially transforming the educational landscape for young children in the state.

Contention

Discussion around HF460 may prompt various points of view concerning the balance between structured academic instruction and unstructured play. Advocates for the bill argue that incorporating play-based learning will enhance social, emotional, and cognitive skills among young learners. However, critics may express concerns regarding the feasibility of meeting such requirements, potential increases in educational costs, and whether play-based learning could detract from essential academic content in early education.

Companion Bills

No companion bills found.

Previously Filed As

IA HF327

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to comprehensive school improvement plans, teacher librarians and guidance counselors, required days or hours of instruction in elementary and secondary schools, agreements between school districts and community colleges to teach certain courses, required courses in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools, and shared operational functions, and authorizing school districts to offer sequential units in one classroom.(Formerly HSB 119.)

IA SSB1076

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to comprehensive school improvement plans, teacher librarians and guidance counselors, required days or hours of instruction in elementary and secondary schools, agreements between school districts and community colleges to teach certain courses, required courses in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools, and shared operational functions, and authorizing school districts to offer sequential units in one classroom.(See SF 391.)

IA HSB119

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to comprehensive school improvement plans, teacher librarians and guidance counselors, required days or hours of instruction in elementary and secondary schools, agreements between school districts and community colleges to teach certain courses, required courses in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools, and shared operational functions, and authorizing school districts to offer sequential units in one classroom.(See HF 327.)

IA HF348

A bill for an act prohibiting instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation in school districts and charter schools in kindergarten through grade six. (Formerly HF 8.)

IA HF8

A bill for an act prohibiting instruction related to gender identity and sexual orientation in school districts and charter schools in kindergarten through grade three.(See HF 348.)

IA HSB586

A bill for an act requiring school districts and charter schools to provide instruction related to character development to students enrolled in kindergarten through grade twelve.

IA HF453

A bill for an act relating to the instruction provided in the kindergarten program to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.

IA HSB219

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to school district library programs and the educational program provided to students enrolled in school districts, accredited nonpublic schools, and charter schools.(See HF 597.)

IA SF391

A bill for an act relating to education, including modifying provisions related to comprehensive school improvement plans, teacher librarians and guidance counselors, required days or hours of instruction in elementary and secondary schools, agreements between school districts and community colleges to teach certain courses, and required courses in school districts and accredited nonpublic schools, and authorizing school districts to offer sequential units in one classroom. (Formerly SSB 1076.) Effective date: 07/01/2023.

IA HF2703

A bill for an act relating to work-based learning, including by repealing provisions related to regional industry sector partnerships and the statewide work-based learning intermediary network, establishing the workforce opportunity fund within the department of workforce development, modifying provisions related to career and technical education, student teacher requirements for students with substitute teaching or para-educator experience, and the future ready Iowa skilled workforce last-dollar scholarship program, and making appropriations.(Formerly HF 2516, HSB 686.)

Similar Bills

MS HB938

"Mississippi Universal Prekindergarten Program Act of 2024"; create.

MS HB112

"Mississippi Universal Prekindergarten Program Act of 2023"; create.

MS HB101

Mississippi Universal Prekindergarten Program Act of 2022; create.

MS SB2740

"Mississippi Universal Prekindergarten Program Act of 2023"; create.

MS HB473

"Mississippi Universal Prekindergarten Program Act of 2024"; create.

MS HB464

"Mississippi Universal Prekindergarten Program Act of 2025"; create.

MS HB547

"Mississippi Universal Prekindergarten Program Act of 2025"; create.

RI S2519

Allows municipalities participating in the state prekindergarten program to accept students from outside the municipality under certain conditions and establishes a lottery for enrollment in the program.