Preschool Early Intervention Services for Children Age 3 to Kindergarten

What is Early Intervention?

Preschool Early intervention (EI) helps to figure out a child’s developmental needs and understand your goals for your child. They provide early education and therapy for young children.

What are the possible services?

Physical, occupational, speech therapy, special/developmental instruction, feeding and nutrition therapy, hearing and vision therapy, behavioral consultation and therapy, and social work services.

How can I find Early Intervention Services?

• Pennsylvania: call CONNECT at 1-800-692-7288 to find an EI provider near you.

• Philadelphia: call Elwyn Early Learning Services at 215-222-8054 if your child is older than 2 years 10 months and has not started kindergarten.

• New Jersey: call 1-888-653-4463 and follow the menu directions based on the county in which the child (or family) lives.

• Delaware: visit the Delaware Department of Education and select the local school district.

How can my child receive early intervention?

A service coordinator will talk with you and listen to your concerns. They will set up a time to meet with you and your child. 

This first step is a Multi-Disciplinary Evaluation (MDE). Learning, language, motor and social-emotional development is assessed during the MDE. This can occur at your child care location, EI offices, or virtually. If your child is behind in their skills and needs special education, then services will be started.

An Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will be written together with you. You can add your child care teacher or others to the IEP team. The IEP will set the goals and types of services and where the services will be provided.

For therapies to work, your therapist must be a good fit for you and your child. If you don't feel that you and the therapist are a good match, as your service coordinator for a new therapist.

You should always understand the goals a therapist is working on with your child. The therapist should give your activities wot work on with your child until the next session. These activities are how the real changes happen with your child!

How long will Early Intervention last?

A new IEP is written every year. There may be new goals and services, or your child can graduate from the services. The spring before your child starts kindergarten, the EI staff will help you plan the move to kindergarten.

What if I disagree with the services that are offered?

• Talk with Early Intervention.

• Ask for a new IEP.

• Talk with the social worker or school readiness specialist at your primary care site.

• Call the Parent Education Network (1-800-522-5827) or CONNECT (1-800-692-7288).

• If you have tried to work with your EI providers and service coordinator but your child’s needs are not being met, each state has a dispute resolution process or educational law center that can help you.

Reviewed November October 2024 by Sherita Williams MS, PHMA