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There's a moment a lot of EI families describe the same way. Their child's third birthday is on the horizon, services are about to end, and someone hands them a packet about the IEP process. And the feeling isn't relief that they made it through early intervention. It's more like: wait, now what?
I hear this constantly from families. The transition out of early intervention is one of the most confusing moments in the whole therapy journey — and no one really prepares you for it. So let's talk about what actually happens.
The shift from IFSP to IEP
If your child has been in early intervention, they've been working off an IFSP — an Individualized Family Service Plan. It's built around your family and your routines, and services come to you, in your home or community.
At age 3, that changes. The IFSP gives way to an IEP — an Individualized Education Program. This is a federal shift under IDEA: your child moves from Part C (birth to 3) to Part B (ages 3 to 21), and the system that was centered on your family transitions to one centered on the school district.
That's not a criticism of either system. They're just built for different purposes. But it's important to understand what's changing, because the gap between the two is where a lot of families get lost.
What the transition process looks like
The transition doesn't happen overnight. By law, your EI service coordinator should be initiating transition planning at least 90 days before your child's third birthday — some families start as early as six months out.
An evaluation gets scheduled. Your child's EI records — evaluations, progress notes, the IFSP itself — get transferred (with your consent) to your local school district or Intermediate Unit for a fresh eligibility determination.
A transition meeting takes place. This is a formal meeting where EI, school district or IU representatives, and you sit down together to talk about what comes next.
An IEP gets written (if your child qualifies). If your child is found eligible for preschool special education services, an IEP is developed, and services need to be in place by their third birthday.
The key word there is "if." Eligibility for school-based services is evaluated differently than EI eligibility, and some children who qualified for EI don't qualify for an IEP. If that happens, you're not without options — but you may need to look outside the school system.
What school-based services look like after the transition
For families whose children do receive an IEP, school-based services are genuinely valuable. But they look different from what you had in early intervention.
Services shift to a school or center-based setting. The home visits, the therapist who knew your kitchen floor and your child's favorite toys — that model changes. Session frequency is often lower. The focus moves from family routines to school readiness.
None of that is bad. But it is different. And for families who've seen how much their child responds to therapy in their natural environment — at home, where they're most regulated and most themselves — it can feel like a step backward even when it's technically a step forward.
What happens if your child doesn't qualify, or if the services aren't enough
This is where I want to be really direct with you: the IEP process is not the end of the road. It's one path.
If your child doesn't qualify for an IEP, or if they do qualify but you feel the school-based services aren't meeting their needs, private in-home therapy is available. It's not a consolation prize. For a lot of families, it's actually the better fit — more frequency, more continuity with how your child was already being supported, and delivered in the setting where kids often make the fastest progress.
At Coral Care, we work with a lot of families who are navigating exactly this moment. Some are bridging the gap while waiting for school-based services to begin. Some are supplementing an IEP with additional OT, speech, or PT at home. Some are continuing in-home therapy as their primary service because that's what works best for their child.
A few things to know before the transition meeting
- You are an equal partner in the IEP process. Not a passive recipient. Your observations about your child matter, and you can ask questions, push back, and request changes.
- You can request an independent evaluation if you disagree with the school's findings.
- If your child qualifies but you feel the proposed services are insufficient, you don't have to sign the IEP as written.
- If your child's birthday is in the summer, make sure transition planning starts early — school district timelines and summer schedules can create delays.
Keep copies of everything. Every evaluation, every IFSP, every progress note. That documentation matters.
The birthday doesn't have to be a cliff
When families find out their child's EI services are ending, the first instinct is often to grieve the loss of something that was working. I understand that completely. These therapists often become part of your family. The progress your child made during those early years is real and hard-won.
But the third birthday is a transition, not an ending. The question isn't whether your child will keep getting support. It's about figuring out what that support looks like next — and making sure it's actually built around what your child needs.
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Frequently Asked Questions
You have rights. You can request an independent educational evaluation at the school district's expense, file a state complaint, or request mediation or a due process hearing. You are an equal member of the IEP team and do not have to accept a determination you disagree with.
Yes. An IEP and private in-home therapy are not mutually exclusive. Many families use both — supplementing what the school provides with additional sessions at home, especially when school-based frequency isn't sufficient for their child's needs.
An IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) is used in early intervention (birth to 3) and is centered on your family's routines and goals. An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is used in school-based special education (ages 3-21) and focuses on your child's educational needs. The shift from IFSP to IEP also means a shift from home-based to school-based services.
By law, transition planning must begin at least 90 days before your child's third birthday. Many EI programs start the process even earlier — up to six months out — to ensure evaluations are completed and an IEP is in place by the birthday.
No. Qualifying for early intervention doesn't guarantee an IEP. School districts use different eligibility criteria under Part B of IDEA, and some children — especially those who've made significant progress in EI — won't meet the threshold. If your child doesn't qualify, private therapy remains available.
Early intervention services stop on your child's third birthday. At that point, your child may qualify for school-based services through an IEP, or you can continue services through private in-home therapy like Coral Care. The transition doesn't have to mean a gap in care.
