What happens when my child turns 3?

Quick answer

Children receiving early intervention through Part C must transition to Part B special education by age 3 if they remain eligible. The school district must evaluate the child and, if eligible, have an IEP in place by the third birthday so services continue without a gap. Part C and the local school district coordinate through a transition planning conference and referral.

What this means for parents

The third birthday is a hard transition point. Delays here mean lost therapy and instruction during a critical developmental window.

• Part C services end at age 3 unless the child is found eligible under Part B and an IEP is in effect by that date.
• The district must evaluate in all suspected areas of disability, not only the areas covered by early intervention.
• If the child is eligible, the IEP must be implemented on the third birthday. There should be no gap between Part C and Part B services.
• Parents receive prior written notice and procedural safeguards when the district proposes or refuses evaluation or eligibility.
• Some children found eligible under Part C will not qualify under Part B. The district must explain why and provide notice.
• Even if your child was never in Part C, Child Find requires the district to identify and evaluate toddlers who may need special education starting at age 3.

Questions before your child turns 3

Start asking these at least several months before the third birthday.

1. When is the transition planning conference, and has the district received the Part C referral?
2. What evaluations will the district conduct, and will you use Part C assessment data?
3. What is the timeline to complete evaluation, hold the IEP meeting, and start services by the third birthday?
4. If my child is eligible, what preschool placement and related services will the IEP include on day one?
5. If the district finds my child not eligible, what data supports that decision and what are my dispute options?

Simple parent script

Common mistakes to avoid

• Waiting until the week before the third birthday to contact the school district.
• Assuming Part C eligibility guarantees Part B eligibility without a new evaluation.
• Accepting a start date for preschool services weeks after the third birthday without pushing for interim services.
• Not asking whether the district evaluated all areas of concern, such as speech, motor skills, and adaptive behavior.
• Forgetting to request prior written notice if the district delays evaluation or denies eligibility.

When to get more help

Consider getting help when the district misses the third birthday deadline, refuses to evaluate a child exiting Part C, proposes a preschool placement that does not match the child's needs, or you need help comparing early intervention services with the proposed IEP.