Services in Community Preschools or Daycares
This important early childhood resource explains that children who qualify for special education have the right to receive services in their current community preschool, church daycare, or Head Start program under the least restrictive environment (LRE) principle. You’ll learn that services don’t have to happen only in public school classrooms and can include speech therapists visiting the daycare, special education teachers consulting with daycare staff, occupational therapy in quiet areas, and visual supports integrated into daily routines. The guide covers key IDEA legal requirements that mandate educating children with disabilities alongside peers without disabilities to the maximum extent appropriate, emphasizing that placement decisions cannot be based on program convenience, staffing limitations, or pre-existing policies. It addresses what happens if a preschool doesn’t want onsite services (districts must explore alternatives, not require enrollment changes) and includes federal guidance that families cannot be required to move their child to a public program to receive services. Perfect for parents who want their child to remain in their current early childhood setting while receiving necessary special education support and need to understand their legal rights under IDEA.
