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Preschool Special Education

A "how to" guide to help you navigate the application process for Preschool Special Education.

What is Preschool Special Education?

Preschool Special Education supports children ages 3 to 5 who have developmental delays or disabilities. Under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), eligible children receive a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) in their Least Restrictive Environment (LRE) alongside peers. Services are provided through an Individualized Education Program (IEP)—and it’s all at no cost to families.

How do I apply for Preschool Special Education?

  1. Referral: Contact your local school district's special education department to request a preschool evaluation.

  2. Evaluation Planning: You’ll be included in planning, consent to the evaluation, which must use multiple tools and be completed within 60 calendar days of consent .

  3. Eligibility Decision: The district has 30 days from the referral to decide if an evaluation is needed, then 60 days post-consent to complete it and determine eligibility.

How long does it take to receive services?

After your child is found eligible, the school district must schedule an IEP meeting within 30 days, and then begin services without delay, per Ohio and federal law.

What do the application steps look like?

  1. Referral submitted to your district’s special education office.

  2. Evaluation planning meeting with you to develop a tailored assessment.

  3. Consent & Evaluation using different methods (observation, interviews, testing).

  4. Eligibility meeting with your team; you receive written notice of the decision.

  5. IEP meeting (within 30 days) to create goals, select services, decide placement in LRE .

  6. Services start, such as speech therapy, OT, adapted instruction, and transport—based on your child's IEP en.wikipedia.org+10childrenandyouth.ohio.gov+10childrenandyouth.ohio.gov+10.

What documentation is required?

Referral & Evaluation

  • Referral request/documentation (from you or a professional)

  • Documentation of planning, assessment results, and timeline consent

Eligibility & IEP

  • Evaluation Team Report showing eligibility

  • IEP document with goals, services, settings, and frequency

  • Prior Written Notices detailing decisions

Service Records

  • Progress tracking via the Child Outcomes Summary (COS)

  • Records of the Early Learning Assessment and evaluations

Common FAQs

1. Is it free?
Yes—Preschool Special Education is provided at no cost under IDEA.

2. What is Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)?
Your child should learn with non-disabled peers as much as possible, unless their needs require otherwise.

3. Who decides placement?
The IEP team, including you, decides placement, and if you disagree, you have legal options to resolve it.

4. What services are included?
It may include therapies (speech, OT, PT), specialized teaching, and transportation, depending on your child’s needs .

5. What if we move to another district?
If your child has had at least 6 months of services, the new district should continue services without re-evaluation.

Who do I contact about my child’s program?