Families of children with disabilities entering kindergarten in September will take part in two processes. They are:
- the Kindergarten IEP Process (KIP), which is how special education services and supports are determined for children entering kindergarten.
- Every elementary school is expected to welcome and serve students with disabilities in accordance with their Individualized Education Programs (IEPs). Families of students with disabilities entering Kindergarten in the fall are encouraged to participate in kindergarten admissions in addition to the Kindergarten IEP Process (KIP). For information about the Kindergarten IEP Process for these children, visit schools.nyc.gov/KindergartenSpecialEducation
- The kindergarten admissions process
You can learn more about the Kindergarten IEP Process in our Kindergarten Orientation Guide:
You can join us at a Kindergarten Orientation Meeting to learn more about these two processes:
You can also access a prerecorded overview presentation of these two processes:
Special Education for Children Entering Kindergarten
New York City Public Schools (NYCPS) will work with you to consider whether your child needs special education in Kindergarten, and if so, develop an Individualized Education Program (IEP). This is called the “Kindergarten IEP Process” or “KIP,” and your participation is important.
Please email KindergartenIEPProcess@schools.nyc.gov to request of copy of the "Kindergarten Orientation Guide for Families of Students with Disabilities Entering Kindergarten in Fall 2024.”
Referral
The Kindergarten IEP Process starts with a referral. This process will depend on whether your child already has a preschool IEP.
If your child has a preschool IEP
- The Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) will refer your child for an evaluation for school-aged special education.
If your child does not have a preschool IEP
- You may submit a written referral.
- NYCPS may also make a referral and notify you.
For more information about the referral process, visit the Making A Referral page.
Starting the IEP Process
After we receive a referral, you’ll be contacted by your child’s kindergarten IEP team, to start the IEP process. They will introduce themselves and explain the IEP process to you and will share a document called the PWN (Prior Written Notice) Notice of Recommendation. This PWN explains that NYCPS is proposing to conduct a reevaluation, which will determine if your child continues to be eligible for special education services and, if so, determine what services would meet your child’s needs next year in kindergarten.
Your IEP team leader will typically be a school psychologist or school social worker from a local school or a Committee on Special Education (CSE) office. Your child’s IEP meeting will likely take place at that school or office. Keep in mind that having an IEP meeting at a particular school does not mean that your child will be admitted there.
Assessments
Before the IEP meeting, NYCPS may conduct assessments of your child. These assessments may include observation of your child in their current preschool classroom. The IEP team will also review your child’s file, including evaluations and progress reports from your child’s teachers and related service providers. This will help the team determine what new assessments, if any, will be needed.
You will receive a letter informing you if new assessments are needed. If they are, we will also ask for your consent to conduct the assessments. If new assessments are done, you will receive copies of the reports before the IEP meeting.
If you would like the IEP team to consider any other assessment reports or documents, you should provide them to the IEP team, and they will consider them.
For more information about the assessment process, visit the Evaluation page.
Medical Forms
You may need to give your KIP Representative completed medical forms if you think your child may need:
- Health services
- Specialized Transportation (Special Education Bus Service) due to a medical need or mobility limitation.
Please provide medical forms as early as possible so the IEP team can review the forms before the IEP meeting. You may also need to give updated medical forms to NYCPS before school starts in September.
You can find the forms on our Health Services page.
Kindergarten IEP Meeting
You will get a letter with the date, time, and location of your child’s IEP meeting at least five days before the meeting. At this meeting, the IEP team will determine whether your child is eligible for special education in kindergarten. If so, the IEP team (including you) will develop an IEP for kindergarten.
Who should attend the IEP meeting?
You, the parent or guardian, are a very important member of the IEP team. Other participants (in person or over the phone) may include:
- Your child’s teacher(s) and/or related service provider(s);
- A school psychologist; and
- Others with knowledge about your child or who have special expertise.
Most IEP meetings will be held at a child’s zoned elementary school, if they have one. If the KIP Representative leading the meeting does not work at your zoned elementary school, NYCPS may also invite a professional from the zoned school. If your child has received an offer to another school for kindergarten, let your KIP Representative know before the meeting; a professional from the school your child will attend may be invited.
Help and Support
If you want a ‘parent member’ (a parent of another child who has had an IEP) or a doctor to attend the meeting, let your KIP Representative know at least 72 hours before the meeting.
If you speak a language other than English, let your KIP Representative know if you will need an interpreter at the IEP meeting. If so, NYCPS will provide one.
Find Out More
Eligibility
At the IEP meeting, the IEP team will first discuss whether your child is eligible for school-age special education. To be eligible, your child must meet the criteria for one of 13 disability classifications. The disability classification will be listed on your child’s IEP. This is different than for preschool special education. In preschool, every child with an IEP is classified as a “Preschool Student with a Disability” on the IEP.
Find out more about disability classifications on The IEP page:
If your child has a preschool IEP but the IEP team finds that your child is not eligible for special education in kindergarten, your child will be “declassified.” They will go to a general education class for kindergarten. The team may also recommend “declassification support services” for your child’s first year without special education. These services may include:
- Instructional support;
- Accommodations; or
- Related services (such as speech therapy or counseling).
Kindergarten IEP
If your child is eligible for school-age special education, the IEP team will create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for your child. The IEP will include information about your child’s strengths, interests, and unique needs. The IEP team will also set goals based on your child’s abilities and needs. The IEP team will describe what skills your child will work on in kindergarten. The team will then decide what supports and services your child will need to reach those goals. After the IEP meeting, a copy of the IEP will be given to you or mailed to you within two weeks.
Kindergarten IESP
If your child will attend kindergarten at a private or religious school in New York City, they may be eligible to receive special education services and/or related services provided by NYCPS. If you decide to send your child to a private or religious school (at your expense), let your KIP Representative know that you are seeking special education in a private or religious school. If you make this request and your child is eligible for special education, the IEP team will develop an Individualized Education Services Plan (IESP) instead of an IEP. The IESP will describe the special education services and/or related services to be provided while your child attends the private or religious school. You will need to provide the name and address of the private or religious school your child will attend.
If your plans change at any time, let your KIP Representative know. If an IESP has been developed for your child and you would like to send your child to public school, request a new IEP meeting. Contact your KIP Representative or the district CSE office to do so.
Schools Outside of NYC
If your child will attend a school outside of New York City, tell your KIP Representative. They will provide you with contact information for the school district where the school is located. This school district will work with you to develop an education program and provide any recommended services.
School Location Letter
Starting in May, you may receive a green notice in the mail. This is the school location letter. This letter will list your child’s recommended special education services and the school that will provide these services.
Most children with IEPs receive special education services in the school they would go to if they did not have IEPs.
- If you apply to kindergarten:
- The recommended services will most likely be provided in the school where your child receives an offer—or where you’ve already pre-registered.
- If you do not apply to kindergarten:
- The recommended services will most likely be provided in a school in your home district.
Special Situations
If your child’s IEP recommends a specialized (District 75) school, your child will receive a placement in a NYCPS specialized school.
If your child’s IEP recommends a state-approved or state-supported non-public school, the school where your child was accepted will provide the recommended services.
If your child is accepted into a “specialized program” such as ASD Horizon, ASD Nest, or ACES, your child will receive a placement to a school that can provide that program.
If your child requires an accessible school, your child will be offered a placement in such a school.
Find Out More
Family Meeting
If the school that is listed in the green school location letter did not take part in your child’s kindergarten IEP meeting, staff at your child’s new school may invite you to a “family meeting.” At the family meeting you can:
- Visit the school
- Look over your child’s IEP with school staff
- Share information about your child
- Ask any questions you may have about how the services on the IEP will be provided
If you would like to visit the school or have a family meeting, contact the school’s parent coordinator or principal. Explain that your child will be attending this school but that your child’s kindergarten IEP meeting did not take place at the school. You can also let the school know if you prefer to talk over the phone or do not want to meet at all.
Parents’ Rights
As the parent of a child entering kindergarten, you have several rights. For more information, visit the Your Rights page.
Getting Help
A KIP Representative will help you through this process. This should be the first person you contact with questions or concerns.
If you have a problem that cannot be resolved by your KIP Representative or by your respective CSE office, call 311 or email KindergartenIEPProcess@schools.nyc.gov. They will need to know:
- Your child’s name
- Your child's date of birth
- School or CSE information
- Brief description of your concern
You can also contact the organizations listed below for help.
Special Education Parent Centers
These organizations provide information and resources to families of children with disabilities.
Parent Training and Information Centers (PTICs)
These organizations help families of children with disabilities.