Early Childhood Special Education is a state and federally mandated program for three, four, and five year old children with disabilities, who are not old enough for kindergarten.  These laws are intended to ensure that all young children who require special education programs and/or services are provided a free and appropriate public education in accordance with their individual needs. The educational needs of these children (because of delay or disability in the areas of cognitive, communicative, social/emotional and/or adaptive functioning) are not able to be met in their natural environment without special education and related services.  This group includes preschool children who are delayed or whose development is atypical and those who have autism, hearing loss, health impairments, visual impairments, or traumatic brain-injury.  Preschool children with disabilities who meet these eligibility criteria may receive services upon reaching their third birthday.

Every school district or special education collaborative provides early childhood special education services and currently approximately 3,000 (2008 data) 3-5 year olds receive individualized special education preschool services.  Services are provided though school-based programs across a continuum of educational environments.  The vast majority of children receive special education services in either early childhood or integrated early childhood environments with their typically developing peers. Some children's needs may require placement in separate classrooms.  Program placement and services are guided by the needs of the child.