Preschool (35 Months to 5 Years/Prekindergarten)

The Preschool Child Find Program helps identify young children who may have a disability and may be eligible for early childhood special education services through Prince George's County Public Schools (PGCPS). A child may be referred to Preschool Child Find if all of the following apply:

Age

Your child is between 35 months and kindergarten age and is not yet eligible to enroll in kindergarten.

Residency

Your child lives in Prince George's County, Maryland, with a parent or legal guardian.

Developmental Concerns

There is a concern that your child may have a delay or disability in one or more areas of development, including:

• Communication – Difficulty understanding language, expressing wants and needs, speaking clearly, or interacting through language.
• Cognitive – Difficulty learning, thinking, solving problems, remembering information, or developing early concepts such as colors, shapes, letters, or numbers.
• Social-Emotional – Difficulty interacting with others, participating in play, managing emotions, or adapting to routines.
• Physical Development – Delays in gross motor skills (running, jumping, balancing), fine motor skills (using crayons, scissors, or small objects), or concerns related to vision or hearing.
• Adaptive (Self-Help) Skills – Difficulty with daily living skills such as eating, dressing, toileting, washing hands, or becoming more independent.

Important: A referral to Preschool Child Find does not mean your child has a disability or will automatically qualify for special education services. The referral begins a process to determine whether an evaluation is appropriate and whether your child is eligible for services under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

Does my child need a medical diagnosis to be referred?

No. A medical diagnosis is not required to refer your child to Preschool Child Find. If you have concerns about your child's development, communication, learning, behavior, social skills, hearing, vision, or motor development, you may request a developmental screening or evaluation. The evaluation team will determine whether additional assessments are needed and whether your child is eligible for special education services under IDEA.

A parent or legal guardian must initiate the Preschool Child Find referral process. Parents and guardians who have concerns about their child’s development may submit a referral to request consideration for a special education evaluation. Professionals, childcare providers, or other individuals may share concerns with the child’s parent or guardian and encourage them to make a referral.

After your referral is received, a Preschool Child Find staff member will contact you to discuss your child's developmental concerns and explain the next steps.

If an evaluation is recommended, you will be asked to provide written consent before the evaluation begins. Once PGCPS receives your signed consent, the evaluation and eligibility process will be completed within the timelines required by Maryland special education regulations.

The length of the process may vary depending on your child's individual needs and how quickly required information and consent forms are returned.

An Individualized Education Program (IEP) is a written plan developed for a child who is eligible for special education services. It outlines your child's strengths, needs, educational goals, and the special education and related services the school will provide to support their learning and development. 

Services are based on your child's individual needs and may include special education instruction, speech-language therapy, occupational therapy, physical therapy, psychological services, or other supports identified by the IEP team. Not every child will need the same services.

Services are provided in the least restrictive environment (LRE) based on your child's individual needs. Depending on the IEP, services may be provided in a PGCPS Early Childhood Center, a community-based preschool or childcare setting, or another appropriate educational setting. The IEP Team determines the location where services can best support your child's learning and development.

No. Preschool Child Find screenings, evaluations, and eligibility meetings are provided at no cost to families who reside in Prince George's County.

 Yes. Children who live in Prince George's County may be referred to Preschool Child Find regardless of whether they attend a private preschool, childcare center, Head Start program, community-based program, or remain at home with a parent or caregiver.  

To help move the process forward, you will be asked to provide:

• Your child's birth certificate
• Proof of Prince George's County residency
• Medical or developmental reports (if applicable)
• Previous evaluation reports (if applicable)
• Your child's IEP, if from another school district