For families
A calm guide to preschool special education in NYC
If your child is turning 3, or you have questions about how they're learning and growing, here's how the CPSE process works, step by step.
Guiding Star has applied to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) for approval to provide Special Education Itinerant Services (SEIS). Approval is pending, and we are not yet providing services.
The path, in four steps
From referral to services
Preschool special education in New York City is run by the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE), part of NYC Public Schools. Evaluations and the services on your child's IEP are free to families.
Referral
A parent writes to the local CPSE office asking for an evaluation. Early Intervention service coordinators can help families with this before age 3.
Free evaluation
The family chooses an approved evaluation site from the CPSE's list. Evaluations are free to families.
IEP meeting
The CPSE, including the parent, decides whether the child is eligible and which services belong on the IEP.
Services begin
The CPSE arranges each service on the IEP, at no cost to the family. For SEIT, the CPSE assigns a NYSED-approved agency.
Writing your referral letter
Write to your local CPSE office asking for a preschool special education evaluation. You can deliver it in person, by mail or by fax, at any time of year. Include:
- Your child's full legal name and date of birth
- What concerns you about your child's development or learning
- Any services your child has had, such as Early Intervention
- Your phone number, email and address
- The language you'd like to use with the CPSE
Not sure which CPSE office is yours? Call 311 and ask for your local Committee on Preschool Special Education.
Coming from Early Intervention?
Early Intervention ends at your child's third birthday. Your EI service coordinator should begin transition planning at least six months before your child turns 3, and can help you write the referral letter to CPSE.
If the CPSE finds your child eligible before their third birthday, you may be able to keep EI services a little longer: until August 31 if your child's birthday is between January 1 and August 31, or until December 31 if it's between September 1 and December 31.
Ask your service coordinator about timing. Starting early leaves room for evaluations and the IEP meeting before EI ends.
Good to know
You're part of every decision
It's free
Evaluations and the services on your child's IEP are provided at no cost to your family.
You choose the evaluator
The CPSE gives you a list of approved evaluation sites, and you pick one.
You're on the committee
Parents are members of the CPSE team that decides on eligibility and services.
Your language matters
Tell the CPSE your preferred language. You can ask for an interpreter at meetings.
Questions families ask
Who is SEIT for?
Preschool children ages 3 to 5 who have an IEP from their Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) that recommends SEIT services.
Does it cost anything?
No. Preschool special education evaluations and the services on a child's IEP are provided at no cost to families.
Can I choose Guiding Star as my child's SEIT provider?
In NYC, the CPSE assigns a NYSED-approved agency to provide SEIT. Guiding Star's application for NYSED approval is pending, so we cannot be assigned or provide services yet.
My child is in Early Intervention. When should we think about CPSE?
Early Intervention ends at age 3. Your EI service coordinator should start planning the move to CPSE at least six months before your child's third birthday and can help you write the referral letter.
How do I refer my child to CPSE?
Write to your local CPSE office (in person, by mail or by fax) asking for a preschool special education evaluation. Include your child's name, date of birth, your concerns, any past services, your contact information and your preferred language. You can find your CPSE office by calling 311.
Official resources
- Family Guide to Preschool Special Education Services (English, PDF)
- Guía para familias (Español, PDF)
- Advocates for Children of New York
This guide is general information, not legal advice. Your CPSE office is the authority on your child's case.