Preschool Child Find

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Picture of a classroom with a teacher sitting at a round table talking to a toddler boy and holding a number 6 placard.

If you have concerns about your child's development and your child

  1. Is between 2 and 5 years of age by September 30.
  2. Is not eligible for kindergarten.

Contact the Preschool Child Find Office to schedule a screening appointment.

In order for your child to be screened you must:

  1. Provide written consent for the screening.
  2. Provide your child's birth certificate.
  3. Provide three proofs of residency:
    • One must be a Deed/Contract or Rental Agreement/Lease.
    • One may be a Virginia Driver's License, Vehicle Registration or Voter Registration
    • One may be a utility bill or other bill.
    • One may be a document with parent's name and address.

When the child is screened, information is collected and discussed with the parents at the screening appointment.

A developmental screening is a brief assessment to determine if a child is functioning at the level he or she should, for their age, in the following areas of development:

A smiling toddler girl sitting with her hand under her chin. She is holding 3 books in her lap. There are 4 more books by her side.

  • Personal/social skills,
  • Adaptive/self-help skills,
  • Motor skills,
  • Communication skills, and
  • Cognitive skills.

The screening is completed by an early childhood special education teacher. This person has special training in working with young children who have special education needs. During the screening, the teacher will be engaging your child in different activities. Some of the skills the teacher will be looking for include: how well your child listens and follows directions, how well your child can talk/pronounce sounds, how your child moves, how your child works with their hands, matching skills, identifying colors, and answering simple questions. The teacher will also have to ask you questions about how your child relates to adults and other children. Questions will be based on the age of your child.

The results of the developmental screening are given to the Intervention Team who makes a recommendation based on the results.

Based on the results of the screening, the following recommendations may occur:

  1. Further evaluation, parental consent will be requested.
  2. Re-screening at a specified age to monitor progress.
  3. An observation in the natural environment.
  4. An Intervention Plan be developed and monitored.
  5. No further action, screening results are age appropriate.

How long will it take to get services for my child?

When a child is referred for further evaluation due to developmental concerns, the process is as follows:

  • The child is evaluated by the educational professionals deemed appropriate to assess the child's needs.
  • The eligibility meeting is held within 65 business days from the referral date.
  • If the child is determined to meet the educational disability criteria, an Individualized Education Plan (IEP) will be developed within 30 calendar days of the date of eligibility.
  • Special education services are delivered based on the IEP and should begin soon after the development of the plan and permission is received from parents.

Child Find Office

703-791-8857

Administrative Contacts

Preschool Child Find Staff

Recommended Links

The following links are provided for parents and early childhood educators to obtain more information regarding early childhood development.