The DOE is committed to creating inclusive preschool classrooms that enable all children to enter kindergarten with a solid foundation for future success. Research shows that inclusive settings promote academic growth, independence, and social-emotional gains for both children with and without disabilities
Preschool special education services are available for children ages 3 to 5 with disabilities or delays in development that affect learning. These services are provided free of charge to eligible children. The Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) is responsible for coordinating the special education process for children 3 to 5 years of age. There are 10 CPSEs in different areas of the city that work with families in the district where the family lives.
Remote Learning Resources
Transitioning from Early Intervention
- DOE Family Guide to the Early Intervention to Preschool Transition
- EI to Pre-K Family Guide in all languages (Under Transitioning from EI)
Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE)
- Family Guide to Preschool Special Education Services (on the translated documents page under "Preschool")
- Key Terms and Acronyms
- DOE’s Webpage for Families on Preschool Special Education
- Arranging SEIT and Related Services Family Letter
- 504 Versus Preschool Special Education
Creating Inclusive Classrooms
- Collaborating with Providers
- Inclusion in Early Childhood
- Family Engagement and Special Education
- List of Accommodations and Modification
- Provider Sign In and Sign Out
- SEIT Guidance
Guidance on IEPs
- IEP Distribution and Best Practices
- How Pre-K Programs Use SESIS to Access Student IEPs
Planning to Support Students with IEPs
- Lesson Planning for Children with IEPs
- Using IEP Goals in the Pre-K Classroom
- Multidisciplinary Team Meeting Forms
- Instructional Guidance
Behavior Resources and Supports
- Behavior Resource Guide
- BIP Progress Monitoring Data Collection Toolkit
- Behavior Supports and Interventions Quality Indicators
Guidance for Operating Special Class and Special Class in an Integrated Setting (SCIS)
- Special Class Policies and Operations (for applicable DOE schools and pre-K centers)
- SCIS Policies and Operations (for applicable DOE schools and pre-K centers)
- Sample Schedule for SCIS
- Information for Families about SCIS
- Guidance for Completing Preschool Progress Reports
- Progress Report Template
Regional Need for Preschool Special Education
3-K & Pre-K for All Contacts and Resources
- 3-K & Pre-K for All Handbook for District Schools & Pre-K Centers
- 3-K & Pre-K for All Handbook for NYCEECs
- Preschool Special Education Resources and Contacts
- Roles and Responsibilities for On-Site Preschool Special Education Support Staff
Early Learning and Development
- NYS Early Learning Guidelines
- NYS Core Body of Knowledge
- NYS Prekindergarten Foundations for the Common Core
- Early Learning Outcomes Framework
- American Academy of Pediatrics
- CDC Developmental Milestones
Special Education and Early Childhood Professional Organizations
- National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC)
- Council for Exceptional Children
- Inclusive Schools Network
- NY Early Childhood Professional Development Institute
- QUALITYstarsNY
- Interagency Council
- New York Zero-to-Three Network
Health
- NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (early childhood)
- Health Bucks
Family Engagement
- Pre-K for All Building Family-Community Relationships Resource
- Early Childhood Framework for Quality (EFQ)
- Exploring Plants: A Preschool Related Services Resource or view the PDF in all languages on the translated documents page under "Preschool."
Social-Emotional Learning
- NYC Early Childhood Mental Health Network
- ParentCorps
- Center on the Social and Emotional Foundations for Early Learning
- Zero to Three
- Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL)
- Fun with Feelings