At Start Here Parents, we know how overwhelming it can feel to navigate the special education process in New York State—especially when your child is transitioning from Early Intervention into preschool or preparing to enter kindergarten. This guide was created as a practical, parent-centered roadmap to help you understand each step of the journey.
Here, you’ll find clear explanations, planning timelines, and links to official New York State Education Department (NYSED) and Department of Health (DOH) resources. We’ve also included insights on how CPSE and CSE differ between Upstate New York and NYC, an overview of your rights as a parent, and guidance on where to locate local and county-level information that can directly affect your child’s services.
Our goal is simple: to help you feel informed, confident, and supported as you advocate for your child’s needs.
Quick definitions (so we’re on the same page)
EI (Early Intervention): Birth–3, overseen by the NYS Department of Health. Transition planning toward preschool special education begins well before age 3.
CPSE (Committee on Preschool Special Education): Ages 3–5. Every NY school district (and the NYC DOE) has a CPSE that evaluates eligibility and, if eligible, develops an IEP and recommends services.
CSE (Committee on Special Education): Ages 5–21. Handles school-age evaluations, IEPs, placements, and services.
For an excellent overview of the Preschool Special Education Process click the NYSED resource here.
The EI → CPSE transition (birth–3 to ages 3–5)
When to start: By law, families are offered a Transition Conference no later than 90 days before their child is first eligible for CPSE or 90 days before the child’s third birthday, whichever comes first. Your service coordinator will request your consent and set this up (often combined with an IFSP meeting).
- You (or EI) refer your child to the CPSE.
- With your consent, evaluations are conducted by approved evaluators.
- The CPSE meets to determine eligibility as a “preschool child with a disability,” and if eligible, writes an IEP detailing services and placement.
Service start timelines: In NYC guidance (and consistent with State regs), services begin within the earlier of: 30 school days after the IEP meeting or 60 school days after you consented to evaluation. *Districts outside NYC follow State timelines.
Why timing matters: Waiting too long to refer can compress evaluation windows and risk service gaps right after EI ends at 3. Start early, keep copies of reports, and bring your questions to CPSE.
How CPSE works in NYS (and who pays for what)
- District responsibility: Each school district is responsible for providing preschool special education programs/services for eligible children.
- County role & funding: Preschool special ed is governed by Education Law §4410. Funding and logistics (e.g., contracting for center-based programs, transportation reimbursement) have county and district layers, this is one of many reasons why checking in with local nuances matter.
- Inclusion & 4410 programs: For a deeper dive, NYSED explains how 4410 funding ties to the actual provision of preschool services and inclusion planning.
Navigating CPSE/CSE: Upstate NY vs. NYC
NYC:
- The NYC DOE CPSE manages the entire process; there are dedicated CPSE offices by borough/region.
- NYC provides parent-facing flowcharts, office lists, and a comprehensive Family Guide. More information here
Upstate & Rest of NYS:
- You work directly with your home school district’s CPSE/CSE. Evaluator availability, transportation arrangements, and typical placements can vary by county and BOCES region. Use your district’s special education office plus county preschool special ed contacts for the most accurate local details (more on finding them below). Link to navigating these resources here.
Takeaway: Same State rules, different local machinery.
NYC’s scale centralizes many steps; elsewhere, your district and county shape timelines, provider networks, and logistics.
Parent rights you should know (CPSE & CSE)
- The district must provide you with the Procedural Safeguards Notice at least annually and at certain trigger points (initial referral, first due process complaint, etc.).
- You’re a full member of the committee (CPSE/CSE), with the right to participate, bring others, and receive prior written notice of decisions and reasons.
- Timelines for evaluation, IEP development, and service implementation are set in law , review them here to know your rights!
- You may request mediation or file for due process if you disagree with identification, evaluation, placement, or services.
- If behavior interferes with learning, the IEP must indicate interventions and, if needed, a Behavior Intervention Plan (applies to CPSE/CSE).
CPSE → CSE transition (preschool → school-age)
- When it happens: As your child approaches kindergarten (or school-age eligibility), the district convenes the CSE to determine ongoing eligibility, placement, and services for ages 5–21.
- What changes: Different continuum of services, potentially different placement options (general education with supports, resource room, special class, related services, etc.).
- Tip: Start transition planning the spring before kindergarten: update evaluations, review goals/progress, tour potential placements, and align supports like transportation, therapies, and ESY if needed. See NYSED’s ESY Q&A for criteria and timelines.
How to find your local & county-level specifics (because they matter)
- Your district’s Special Education page (search: “<district name> CPSE” or “CSE”). There should be contacts, referral forms, and local timelines. NYSED’s link here brings you to sections you can cite if you need to point to the regulation text.
- County preschool special ed office (often under the county Health or Education unit). They can clarify transportation, approved programs, and 4410 logistics in your county.
- Parent centers as additional resources for specific guidance and questions:
- NY Statewide: Parent to Parent of NYS / regional PTICs resource hub.
- NYC: INCLUDEnyc and Advocates for Children offer guides and help lines (AFC’s CPSE guide is excellent, linked here).
- NYC-specific: Start at the DOE’s Preschool (CPSE) pages and the Family Guide to get office locations and step-by-step instructions.
A backward-planning timeline you can copy
Adjust the dates below to your child’s birthday and your district/county rhythm. If you’re in NYC, line up with the DOE CPSE office that serves your address.
9–12 months before 3rd birthday (or intended preschool start):
- Ask EI SC to schedule your Transition Conference; sign consent.
6–9 months out:
- Make the CPSE referral (you can do this even if EI is making one).
- Line up evaluators approved by CPSE; sign consent so timelines start.
3–6 months out:
- Ensure evaluations are completed; request copies.
- Attend CPSE meeting; discuss eligibility, goals, services, placement (SEIT, related services, special class, integrated options).
By 30 school days after the IEP meeting or 60 school days after you consented (earlier of the two):
- Services begin; confirm transportation if applicable.
Spring before kindergarten (CPSE → CSE):
- Request CSE review; update evaluations as needed.
- Discuss school-age program/placement, supports, and ESY if regression/recoupment criteria apply.
What to do if you disagree (or hit delays)
If, after your CPSE or CSE meeting, you disagree with the committee’s decision about your child’s eligibility, services, or placement, you have the right to formally challenge it. Parents may request mediation or file a due process complaint.
- Mediation is a free, voluntary process where you and the school district meet with a neutral mediator provided by the state to try to reach an agreement. It’s often less adversarial and faster than a hearing. You can request mediation by completing the State Mediation Request Form available through the New York State Dispute Resolution Association (NYSDRA): link here.
- Due Process Complaints are formal legal requests for a hearing before an impartial hearing officer. These are filed in writing with both your school district and the New York State Education Department’s Office of Special Education. Details, timelines, and sample forms are in the Procedural Safeguards Notice (May 2024) available here.
You don’t have to face these steps alone — parent centers like Parent to Parent of NYS and Advocates for Children of New York can guide you through the process and help you decide which option best fits your situation.
Final tips
- Keep a binder (or shared drive folder) with evaluations, IFSP/IEP pages, notices, and correspondence.
- Always confirm timelines and next steps in writing (email recap after meetings).
- Bring a support person (friend, advocate) to meetings if it helps you feel heard / to remember all that is discussed.
- Take notes. Ask questions if you aren’t 100% sure. Ask clearly ‘what are the next steps I need to take’.
- Remember: you’re an equal team member—and your child’s best expert. The State’s own Safeguards Notice says so!