Early Learning Services - Family Information

Elwyn Early Learning Services provides preschool early intervention services to eligible children, ages 3 through the age of beginners, or through the transition to school-age programming, in Philadelphia County and the city of Chester.

Welcome to the Elwyn Early Learning Services (ELS) Family Information site. Elwyn ELS provides intake services, multi-disciplinary evaluations to determine eligibility, case management, also referred to as LEA Representation, and preschool early intervention services. Families can utilize the wide array of information offered on this portion of our website to learn more about Elwyn Early Learning Services, preschool early intervention processes and procedures, developmental norms and access necessary contact information.

Welcome to the Elwyn Early Learning Services (ELS) Family Information site. Elwyn ELS provides intake services, multi-disciplinary evaluations to determine eligibility, case management, also referred to as LEA Representation, and preschool early intervention services. Families can utilize the wide array of information offered on this portion of our website to learn more about Elwyn Early Learning Services, preschool early intervention processes and procedures, developmental norms and access necessary contact information.

Transition to Kindergarten

Overview of Process/What to Expect

Complete the Intent to Register (ITR) Form

Overview of Process/What to Expect

In the year prior to your child’s transition, your IEP team will discuss and prepare for the upcoming transition by developing goals and objectives to support your child and your family with this process and will develop a transition plan in your child’s IEP.

Complete the Intent to Register (ITR) Form

By completing the Intent to Register (ITR) form, you are documenting your intention to register your child in the School District of Philadelphia or a local Charter School. The ITR form outlines the options families have when it comes to Transition to Kindergarten. Once this form is completed, the School District of Philadelphia or Charter School begins the process to determine whether your child will continue to be eligible for special education services and if so, will collaborate with you on the development of an Individualized Education Program (IEP).

Upon receipt of the ITR Form indicating your choice to register for Kindergarten, Elwyn Early Learning Services (ELS) will share educational documents with the School District of Philadelphia or Charter School.

By December 21st of your child’s transition year, you will receive formal notification regarding your child’s pending transition to school-age programming and the availability of upcoming transition meetings.

Register for Kindergarten

Follow the School District of Philadelphia Kindergarten Registration link below to access full registration details.

School District of Philadelphia, Kindergarten Registration Site: https://www.philasd.org/studentplacement/services/kindergarten-registration/

School District of Philadelphia, Transition to School-Age Support Site: 2022 Early Intervention Transition (google.com)

PDE Early Intervention Transition Overview: https://www.education.pa.gov/Policy-Funding/BECS/Purdons/Pages/EITransitionPreschool.aspx

What to Expect

STEP 1 -INTAKE MEETING

STEP 2: INITIAL EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT

STEP 3 - Individualized Education Program (IEP)

STEP 4 - SERVICE DELIVERY

STEP 1 -INTAKE MEETING

Call Elwyn Early Learning Services (ELS) at 215-222-8054 to refer for Preschool Early Intervention.
As of August 7, 2023, Intake Coordinators are available Monday through Friday, 7:30am through 6:30pm.
Intake Coordinators gather demographic information and ask about the concerns you have with your child’s development. This call typically takes about 10 minutes.
After reviewing your concerns, you can request that the multidisciplinary evaluation (MDE) be scheduled. The Intake Coordinator will schedule the evaluation while on the call with you. To ensure a time that will work best, please have your calendar available. MDE time slots are available Monday through Friday.
Intake Coordinators will review the paperwork that you will receive in the mail. It will be mailed within 10 days. Please let us know if this paperwork is not received.
Included in the mailing is the Permission to Evaluate (PTE). This form gives you the option of moving forward with the MDE as proposed. Elwyn Early Learning Services cannot proceed until the signed Permission to Evaluate is received. The options will be outlined; check the appropriate box and return the document, as quickly as possible. An envelope will be provided.
We cannot move to STEP 2 without your signature giving consent on the Permission to Evaluate.

STEP 2: INITIAL EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT

At the time of the scheduled evaluation, a team of multi-disciplinary evaluators will assess all areas of your child’s development to determine if your child is in need of special education services. These areas include medical, vision, and hearing history, communication, knowledge and learning, physical, social-emotional, and adaptive development.
Once the evaluation is complete, you will receive a written Evaluation Report (ER) in the mail that details your child’s strengths and needs, and any delays they may be experiencing in their development. The report will be sent to you within 60 days of Elwyn’s receipt of the signed Permission to Evaluate.
A member of the evaluation team will contact you to review the Evaluation Report if your child is not eligible for Preschool Early Intervention (Special Education).

STEP 3 - Individualized Education Program (IEP)

If the evaluation shows that your child is displaying delays in their development, a Local Education Agency representative (LEA Rep) will be assigned. The Local Education Agency Rep will call you to review the Evaluation Report and schedule an Individualized Education Program meeting within 30 days of the date the Evaluation Report was sent to you.
Parents play a vital role as a member of the Individualized Education Program team. Your input is valued and necessary to create the most appropriate plan to meet your child’s needs.
At the Individualized Education Program meeting, a plan for the next year will be created with goals for your child to assist them in their development. At the end of the Individualized Education Program meeting, the Local Education Agency Rep will present you with a Notice of Recommended Educational Placement (NOREP), which details the discussion and recommendations for your child’s educational placement.
You have specific rights regarding the Notice of Recommended Educational Placement that will be explained before the Local Education Agency Rep asks you to sign it. You have the option to approve or not approve the placement recommended. This will also be explained.
Elwyn Early Learning Services cannot provide Early Intervention services without your approval. Therefore, STEP 4 cannot begin until we have received the Notice of Recommended Educational Placement with your signature stating that you approve.

STEP 4 - SERVICE DELIVERY

The delivery of Early Intervention services must begin within 14 days of the Individualized Education Program (IEP) meeting, if a signed approved Notice of Recommended Educational Placement is received, unless your child is transitioning from Infant Toddler Early Intervention (ITEI), in which case services will begin on your child’s 3rd birthday.

STEP 1 -INTAKE MEETING

Call Elwyn Early Learning Services (ELS) at 215-222-8054 to refer for Preschool Early Intervention.
As of August 7, 2023, Intake Coordinators are available Monday through Friday, 7:30am through 6:30pm.
Intake Coordinators gather demographic information and ask about the concerns you have with your child’s development. This call typically takes about 10 minutes.
After reviewing your concerns, you can request that the multidisciplinary evaluation (MDE) be scheduled. The Intake Coordinator will schedule the evaluation while on the call with you. To ensure a time that will work best, please have your calendar available. MDE time slots are available Monday through Friday.
Intake Coordinators will review the paperwork that you will receive in the mail. It will be mailed within 10 days. Please let us know if this paperwork is not received.
Included in the mailing is the Permission to Evaluate (PTE). This form gives you the option of moving forward with the MDE as proposed. Elwyn Early Learning Services cannot proceed until the signed Permission to Evaluate is received. The options will be outlined; check the appropriate box and return the document, as quickly as possible. An envelope will be provided.
We cannot move to STEP 2 without your signature giving consent on the Permission to Evaluate.

STEP 2: INITIAL EVALUATION/ASSESSMENT

At the time of the scheduled evaluation, a team of multi-disciplinary evaluators will assess all areas of your child’s development to determine if your child is in need of special education services. These areas include medical, vision, and hearing history, communication, knowledge and learning, physical, social-emotional, and adaptive development.
Once the evaluation is complete, you will receive a written Evaluation Report (ER) in the mail that details your child’s strengths and needs, and any delays they may be experiencing in their development. The report will be sent to you within 60 days of Elwyn’s receipt of the signed Permission to Evaluate.
A member of the evaluation team will contact you to review the Evaluation Report if your child is not eligible for Preschool Early Intervention (Special Education).

STEP 3 - Individualized Education Program (IEP)

If the evaluation shows that your child is displaying delays in their development, a Local Education Agency representative (LEA Rep) will be assigned. The Local Education Agency Rep will call you to review the Evaluation Report and schedule an Individualized Education Program meeting within 30 days of the date the Evaluation Report was sent to you.
Parents play a vital role as a member of the Individualized Education Program team. Your input is valued and necessary to create the most appropriate plan to meet your child’s needs.
At the Individualized Education Program meeting, a plan for the next year will be created with goals for your child to assist them in their development. At the end of the Individualized Education Program meeting, the Local Education Agency Rep will present you with a Notice of Recommended Educational Placement (NOREP), which details the discussion and recommendations for your child’s educational placement.
You have specific rights regarding the Notice of Recommended Educational Placement that will be explained before the Local Education Agency Rep asks you to sign it. You have the option to approve or not approve the placement recommended. This will also be explained.
Elwyn Early Learning Services cannot provide Early Intervention services without your approval. Therefore, STEP 4 cannot begin until we have received the Notice of Recommended Educational Placement with your signature stating that you approve.

STEP 4 - SERVICE DELIVERY

Family Resource Center

Introduction

Resources and support programs

Introduction

The Family Resource Center is a supplemental support program created for Elwyn Early Learning Services (ELS) families and caregivers, designed to offer guidance and support with a wide array of local resources. Through the FRC, you can find city-wide resources and other information to successfully navigate community activities, special needs programs or services, parent training, and early childhood programming.

Being a caregiver, whether a parent, grandparent or guardian, is challenging and supporting a child with special needs adds another layer of complexity. Elwyn ELS Social Work Interns are available to support Preschool Early Intervention families in locating and making connections to necessary community-based resources.

Please be certain to learn details about our Family Resource Guidebook for families being served by Elwyn Early Learning Services (ELS), Preschool Education Services ages 3-5 years old.

Click to visit our Family Resource Guide

Resources and support programs

Benefits (medical assistance, SSI, etc.)
Community activities & recreation Domestic Violence
Early Education Centers (prek, head start, child care)
Employment/Job training
Food Insecurity
Housing/Homeless
Marginalized groups support (LGBTQIA, refugee, etc.)
Parent to Parent Program/Parenting
Utilities/Shut-off notice

If interested, please talk to your child’s evaluation team or LEA Representative, so they can assist with a referral to the Family Resource Center.

Early Childhood Education & Early Childhood Special Education Programs

The research is clear – giving children a strong start and fostering positive early childhood experiences is key to a healthy & successful future! The city of Philadelphia offers many public Early Childhood Education (ECE) program options, including Head Start, Pre-K Counts and PHL Pre-K classrooms. There are also a wide array of private ECE programs available to families across the city. If you need assistance locating an ECE program, you can utilize the Great Philly Schools website to explore various programs in your area: https://greatphillyschools.org/s/.

For some children with disabilities, Early Childhood Special Education (ECSE) programs might be a better fit. ECSE programs are also available across the city and enrollment is an IEP team decision based on a child’s needs. If you are interested in an ECSE program for your child, please reach out to your child’s LEA representative to discuss further.

Elwyn Early Learning Services - Falls Center

3300 Henry Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19129, USA

215-254-2002

Elwyn South Philadelphia

5548 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19139, USA

215-222-7345

Elwyn West Philadelphia

5548 Chestnut St, Philadelphia, PA 19139, USA

215-422-4902

Our Resources

Family Resource Guide

FOR PHILADELPHIA FAMILIES BEING SERVED BY ELWYN EARLY LEARNING SERVICES (ELS),
PRESCHOOL SPECIAL EDUCATION SERVICES AGES 3-5

This listing was compiled by a network of Philadelphia professionals and families. The purpose of this guide is to share information about resources and in no manner whatsoever supports, profits or takes responsibility for the agencies, services, and individuals noted herein.

View Guide

Watch Me Grow

Every child grows and learns new skills at his or her own pace. Children can vary in skills and development. Check out the “Watch Me Grow” publication for early intervention information, as well as a brief overview of developmental norms.

View Publication

Partner Resources

Temple University’s Families First program

A free parent empowerment training and support program dedicated to families receiving early intervention in Philadelphia.

Visit Site

The PEAL Center, Parent Education & Advocacy Leadership

Pennsylvania families who have children with disabilities and/or special health care needs from birth to age 26.

Visit Site

Vision for Equality

Assists and empowers people with disabilities and their families to seek quality and satisfaction in their lives as well as equal access to supports and services.

Visit Site

Parent to Parent of Pennsylvania

Our program is based on the philosophy that parents of children and adults with disabilities or special needs can be helped by other parents who have traveled the road before them.

Visit Site

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Early Learning Services - Family Information

Family Information