A Family-Friendly Guide to CPSE: Understanding the Preschool Special Education Process

If your child is approaching preschool age and you’ve noticed challenges in communication, social skills, or learning, you may have heard about the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE). Many families feel overwhelmed when they first begin this process — evaluations, meetings, acronyms, and new terminology can feel like a lot. At its core, CPSE is a system designed to help young children access support during the essential developmental years between ages 3 and 5.

At Early Bird Speech Therapy, we walk families through this process often, and we’re here to help you understand what to expect and how to feel confident in advocating for what your child needs.

What Is the CPSE?

The Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE) is part of New York State’s continuum of early childhood support. When a child is turning 3 and may need help in areas like speech, motor skills, social-emotional regulation, or learning, CPSE can help to evaluate these needs and recommend appropriate supports and services.

The CPSE team typically includes:

• You, the parent, guardian, or caregiver

• A district representative

• A general education and/or special education teacher (if applicable)

• Any private providers you invite to contribute (SLPs, OTs, doctors, etc.)

Together, this team reviews evaluations, your insights, and teacher observations to create an Individualized Education Program (IEP) — a supportive roadmap for your child’s preschool years.

Why Families Pursue CPSE

Families may consider CPSE if they notice:

• Delays in speech or language

• Difficulty socializing or playing with peers

• Sensory sensitivities or difficulty with transitions

• Motor delays (fine motor or gross motor)

• Difficulty following routines or classroom expectations

Sometimes pediatricians, daycare providers, or therapists raise concerns or suggest a child be evaluated by the CPSE. Seeking an evaluation does not commit you to services; it simply gives you information to make an informed decision on next steps.

What Happens During a CPSE Evaluation?

Once a referral is made, your child receives a comprehensive evaluation completed by an approved agency. These often include:

• Psychological evaluation to understand your child’s learning style, strengths, and cognitive skills

• Social history (parent interview)

• Physical exam form completed by your child’s pediatrician

• Classroom or daycare observation

• Additional assessments (e.g., ST, PT, OT) as needed to better understand communication, physical, behavioral, emotional, or developmental needs

If your child speaks a language other than English, it’s important that evaluations are conducted by bilingual evaluators whenever possible. It is also important to remember that an evaluation is just a snapshot in time and may not capture everything your child can do across different settings and days.

Preparing for the CPSE Meeting

Before the meeting, it helps to reflect on:

• Your child’s strengths — what comes naturally to them?

• What feels challenging at home or school?

• Routines or environments where they have the most difficulty

• What supports you believe could help them participate

Having your private provider (SLP, OT, etc.) share insight or a report can help round out the picture. While private evaluations cannot replace DOE evaluations, they can absolutely help “build the case” for needed services.

Common Outcomes & Services

If your child qualifies for CPSE, they may receive*:

• Speech and Language Therapy

• Occupational Therapy (OT)

• Physical Therapy (PT)

• Counseling or behavioral support

• Assistive Technology or AAC supports

• SEIT Support (Special Education Itinerant Teacher) - a specially trained educator who provides 1:1 or small group support in the child’s preschool setting, helping with learning, attention, social-emotional skills, behavior, or transitions.

• Center-Based Programs - for children who benefit from a small classroom ratio, specialized instruction, more structure, or a therapeutic environment. These programs often include related services built into the school day.

• Classroom accommodations and supports - these may include visual schedules, sensory supports, movement breaks, flexible seating, or adapted materials to help your child participate more fully

• Consultation and collaboration services - time built in for therapists and educators to collaborate with classroom staff, caregivers, and families to ensure strategies are consistent across settings.

• Transportation services - for children attending a CPSE-recommended program, transportation may be provided, including accommodations if needed.

• Extended School Year (ESY) services - some children qualify for continued services over the summer if they would have difficulty maintaining skills during long breaks

*There is no one-size-fits-all recommendation—the IEP is meant to reflect your child’s individual needs.

What Families Often Hope to Get From CPSE

While every child is unique, many families come to the CPSE process hoping for the right level of support to help their child thrive. For some families, this means additional supports embedded within their child’s current preschool, while for others, it may mean exploring a specialized preschool program with smaller class sizes, more structure, or integrated services. Both paths are valid, and CPSE exists to help determine which setting will best support your child’s learning and development.

Your Voice Matters Most

As a parent, you know your child better than anyone. Your observations are essential to the process. You can (and should) ask questions, share concerns, and advocate for what you believe will help your child thrive.

You could say:

• “My child needs help participating in group activities.”

• “My child benefits from visual supports and modeling.”

• “I’d like services to happen in their current preschool if possible.”

You can ask the CPSE team:

• “What supports will best help my child succeed in the classroom?”

• “Can you explain why you chose this recommendation?”

• “How will progress be monitored and shared with us?”

You are an equal member of the team!

The Big Picture

It’s completely normal to feel unsure or even anxious about evaluations or educational labels. Many families worry that a label will define their child—but in reality, a CPSE evaluation doesn’t change who your child is; it helps others understand how to support them. Early support can open doors by removing barriers and giving children the tools they need to participate, learn, and connect in ways that feel successful.

At Early Bird Speech Therapy, we’re here to help families navigate the CPSE process with clarity and confidence—from understanding evaluations to preparing for meetings and collaborating with school teams.

Schedule a free consultation f you’d like support navigating CPSE, preparing for a meeting, or making sense of your child’s evaluation results.