Leon County Schools partners with Early Steps and community agencies to ensure young children who receive Part C early intervention services experience a smooth transition into Pre-K Exceptional Student Education (ESE) services when they turn three years old. 

This process is guided by federal requirements under IDEA and by our local Interagency Agreement, which outlines shared responsibilities, timelines, and procedures. 

Our goal is to help families feel supported, informed, and confident throughout this transition. 

Early Head Start (EHS) is a federally funded program that offers free comprehensive services to economically disadvantaged families with infants, toddlers, and pregnant women. The program offers a center-based model at five Broward County Public School Locations. It is designed to improve the overall developmental progress of the child, with emphasis on the prevention of a variety of developmental concerns, increasing families’ knowledge of parenting practices, and strengthening the family unit. The program’s objectives are accomplished through services that include appropriate infant-toddler activities, comprehensive health care, nutrition, education, and social services for young children and their families.

Each EHS caregiver holds the State or National Child Development Associate with an Infant/Toddler endorsement or an Associate's Degree or higher in Early Childhood. EHS offers services from August to July, following the school board calendar. Services extend through the summer using a home-based model. 

Early Head Start is a needs-based program, and the district follows federal guidelines for admission into the program. Children with documented disabilities or special needs are encouraged to apply.

Head Start Preschool (HSP) is a federally funded program that offers free comprehensive services to economically disadvantaged children and families for children three to five years old. Head Start Preschool is a parent-participation program that offers comprehensive preschool services at no cost to eligible families. The program offers a center-based model at 3 Early Learning Center locations. The HSP program is designed to support each child’s individual developmental needs while promoting school readiness through early learning, health, nutrition, and social services. HSP also emphasizes early identification and prevention of developmental concerns, enhances parenting knowledge, and strengthens family engagement to foster overall family well-being.

Head Start Preschool is a needs-based program, and the district follows federal guidelines for admission into the program. Children with documented disabilities or special needs are encouraged to apply.

The Florida Voluntary Prekindergarten (VPK) Program is a state-funded program designed to prepare four-year-olds for kindergarten and build the foundation for their educational success. The program allows a parent to enroll their eligible child (four years old by September 1 and residing in Florida) in a FREE VPK program of their choice. The program is voluntary for children and providers. In Leon County Schools, the free VPK program is combined with additional hours called “Pre-K”. The combined VPK and Pre-K hours create a full school day program. At some schools, the full day is free, and at others, the Pre-K portion of the day is tuition-supported. 

The direct connection between the VPK Program and the District ensures that the services available through the District are provided to the students enrolled in the program.