The last year of preschool goes fast. Here is how Brooklyn families can use it to prepare for the Turning 5 process and a confident start to kindergarten.

Your child has grown so much since SEIT started. Now the calendar says kindergarten is next fall, and a new phrase appears in your inbox: Turning 5. For families using SEIT services in Brooklyn, this transition moves your child from preschool special education to school-age special education, and a little planning goes a long way.

What Turning 5 actually means

Preschool special education is overseen by the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE). Once your child enters kindergarten, responsibility moves to the Committee on Special Education (CSE). The CSE reviews your child's needs and develops a school-age IEP. SEIT is a preschool service, so it does not continue into kindergarten, but your child may receive other supports that build on the progress made.

How SEIT support shifts in the final preschool year

During the last year, a good SEIT gradually moves from close adult support toward independence. That can mean fading prompts, teaching your child to ask for help, practicing classroom routines like lining up and cleaning up, and building stamina for group activities. Ask your SEIT which skills they are prioritizing and how they are measuring progress.

Gather specific progress data

The CSE relies on information about how your child is doing now. Ask your SEIT, preschool teacher, and related service providers for written progress reports. Specific notes such as "follows two-step directions in circle time with one reminder" help the CSE far more than general comments.

What the school-age options may look like

  • General education with related services: speech, OT, PT, or counseling during the school week.
  • SETSS: a special education teacher provides targeted support within a general education setting.
  • Integrated Co-Teaching (ICT): a general education teacher and a special education teacher share one class.
  • Special class: a smaller class led by a special education teacher for children who need a more specialized setting.

Kindergarten admissions run in parallel

The CSE process does not apply to kindergarten for you. Families still need to submit a kindergarten application during the 2026 admissions window, usually in the winter. Submit it on time, keep a copy, and let the CSE know about the schools on your list.

Prepare your child emotionally

Short social stories, walks past the school building, picture books about starting school, and practicing the morning routine all help. Families finishing SEIT services in Brooklyn can ask their SEIT to help write a social story using the visuals and words their child already knows.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will my child keep their SEIT in kindergarten?
No. SEIT is a preschool service. In kindergarten, the CSE may recommend school-age supports such as SETSS, related services, ICT, or a special class.

When does the Turning 5 process start?
It typically begins during the school year before kindergarten, with communication from the CSE in the winter or spring. Starting your own folder in the fall keeps you ahead.

Does the CSE find my child a kindergarten seat?
Not in most cases. Families apply through the regular kindergarten admissions process, while the CSE develops the IEP that follows your child to school.

What if my child is not ready for kindergarten?
Share your concerns with the CSE and ask how the IEP can support your child. Readiness is built over time, and the right supports can make a big difference.