Preschool Special Education
In Ohio, preschool special education is for children ages three to five who have disabilities.
The Ohio Department of Children and Youth (DCY) wants families, preschool staff, and the community to work together to help young children with disabilities. To support each child, schools offer different types of special education services. Children with disabilities can get these services in public schools, private preschools, or child care centers.
Every child with a disability has an Individualized Education Program (IEP). Parents, teachers, therapists, and school leaders work together to create the IEP. The IEP lists the child's goals and the services they will receive.
Find Programs
You can use the Early Care and Education Search Tool to find early care and education programs that fit your needs. You also can learn more about programs' licensing status, Step Up To Quality rating, and inspection results.
Resources
Here are some helpful resources:
General Resources
- Preschool Children and Speech or Language Impairment
- Preschool Special Education 101: From Rule to Implementation
- Position Statement on Multitiered System of Support Framework in Early Childhood (DEC)
- Preschool to Kindergarten IEP Transition
- Special Education Homepage
- Transportation Guidance
- Ohio Operating Standards for the Education of Children with Disabilities
- Dear Colleague: Preschool LRE 2017
- Policy Statement on Inclusion of Children with Disabilities in Early Childhood Programs
- Withdrawal or Revocation of Preschool Special Education and Related Services
Rule Resources
- Rule 3301-51-11 Preschool children eligible for special education
- Preschool Teacher Qualifications Chart
- Support for LRE Section of Preschool Rule 3301-51-11
- Preschool Special Education Waiver Application
- Guidance for Preschool Special Education Waiver Application
- Preschool Children Eligible for Special Education Frequently Asked Questions
- Department of Education and Workforce - Special Education
- Department of Education and Workforce - Operating Standards and Guidance
- Preschool Universal Supports
Indicator 6: Least Restrictive Environment (LRE)
- Online Tool for Determining the Appropriate Category
- Least Restrictive Environment Decision Tree
- Indicator 6 - Description of Compliance Calculation
Indicator 7: Child Outcomes Summary (COS)
- Child Outcomes Summary Policy
- Outcomes Reference Guide
- Child Outcomes Summary Form
- Child Outcomes Summary Form Quality Assurance Checklist
- Child Outcomes Summary Form Quality Assurance Checklist Directions
- Child Outcomes Summary Questions
- Indicator 7 - Description of Compliance Calculation
Indicator 12: Early Childhood Transition
- Indicator 12 - Compliance for LEAs Overview
- Printable Version of PPT
- Transcript of PPT
- Indicator 12 - Description of Compliance Calculation
Forms
- Preschool Evaluation Planning Form - ETR
- Preschool LRE Guiding Questions (optional form)
- Preschool Transition from Part C to Part B Form (optional form)