IEP vs IFSP: early intervention and preschool plans compared

By the IEP Atlas editorial teamLast updated November 1, 2026

Short answer

An IFSP is the early intervention plan for a baby or toddler under 3 and the family, built around daily routines at home and in the community. An IEP is the school district's special education plan for a child from age 3, built around the child's learning. The deciding question is your child's age and which part of the law serves your child.

If your child gets early intervention, you already have an IFSP. Around your child's second birthday, people start talking about an IEP. The two plans come from the same law, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), but from different parts of it, with different rules.

This page puts the two side by side, explains the switch at age 3, and walks through three common situations. For goal examples on each side, see language goals for 2 year olds (IFSP outcomes) and the preschool IEP goals pillar.

The one-sentence difference

An IFSP (Individualized Family Service Plan) is a plan for early intervention services for a child under 3 and the family.^[1] An IEP (Individualized Education Program) is a plan for special education and related services for a child from age 3 through 21.^[5]

The deciding question: Is your child under 3 and served by the early intervention program? Then the plan is an IFSP. Is your child 3 or older and served by the school district? Then it is usually an IEP. One exception: some states let families keep an IFSP from 3 to 5, which is covered below.

IEP vs IFSP side by side

	IFSP	IEP
Who it is for	Babies and toddlers from birth to age 3	Children and youth from age 3 through 21
Part of the law	IDEA Part C, early intervention^[4]	IDEA Part B, special education^[5]
Main focus	The child's development and the family's priorities, resources and concerns^[2]	The child's education, progress in learning and taking part with other children
What it sets	Outcomes for the child and, if the family wants, for the family	Measurable annual goals for the child
Where services happen	In natural environments, such as home, child care or the park, as much as appropriate^[2]	In the least restrictive environment, such as a preschool classroom with peers, as much as appropriate^[9]
Who leads it	A service coordinator from the early intervention program	A case manager or teacher from the school district
First meeting	Within 45 days of the referral to early intervention^[15]	Within 30 days of the decision that your child is eligible^[7]
How often it is reviewed	Every 6 months, with a full meeting each year^[16]	At least once a year^[8]
Cost to the family	Some services are always free; states may charge fees for others on a sliding scale^[4]	Free to the family, as part of a free appropriate public education^[10]
Who runs it	A state lead agency, often the health or human services department	The school district, under the state education agency

Two rows matter most in daily life. An IFSP coach often works with you during your own routines, such as bath time or a meal. An IEP teacher or therapist works with your child, usually at a preschool or school.

What changes at age 3

The move from an IFSP to an IEP is called the Part C to B transition. Federal rules set out the steps.

Planning starts early. The IFSP must include transition steps. The transition plan is written at least 90 days, and up to 9 months, before your child turns 3.^[3]
The school district is told. If your child may be eligible for preschool special education, the early intervention program notifies the school district at least 90 days before the third birthday. States can let families opt out of this notice.^[3]
A transition conference is held. With your approval, the service coordinator sets up a meeting with you and the school district at least 90 days, and up to 9 months, before the third birthday.^[3]
The district evaluates. Your child needs a school evaluation to be found eligible under Part B. Early intervention eligibility does not carry over on its own. The IEP evaluation process explains what happens.
The IEP is in place by the third birthday. For a child who was in early intervention and is eligible, an IEP (or an IFSP, where allowed) must be in effect by age 3.^[6] If the birthday falls in the summer, the IEP team decides when services start.^[11]

The Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center keeps a plain guide to these steps and to each state's rules.^[13]

Keeping an IFSP after age 3

A school district may use an IFSP instead of an IEP for a child ages 3 through 5, if the state allows it and you agree in writing after the differences are explained to you.^[7] A few states also let families stay in early intervention after age 3, until the child can enter kindergarten.^[17] Ask your service coordinator which options your state offers.

Three common situations

Situation 1. Malik is 2 years 6 months old and has an IFSP for speech. His mother wants to know if he will "lose services" at 3.

Answer: Not automatically. His service coordinator must plan the transition with the family. The school district will evaluate him. If he qualifies for preschool special education, he will have an IEP by his third birthday. If he does not, the team helps the family find other programs.^[3]

Situation 2. Ana turns 3 in July. Her family worries she will have no services all summer.

Answer: Her IEP must be in place by her birthday. Because the birthday is in summer, her IEP team decides when services begin, which may be the start of the school year or earlier.^[11] The family can ask about extended school year services at the meeting.

Situation 3. Theo is 4. His parents never used early intervention. His preschool teacher thinks he has trouble with language and play.

Answer: He would not get an IFSP, because he is past 3. His parents can ask the school district for an evaluation. If he is eligible, he gets an IEP. Districts must find and evaluate children who may need special education, including preschoolers.^[12]

How goals change between the plans

IFSP outcomes are often written in family words: "Malik will tell us what he wants at meals so dinner is less stressful." IEP goals are written in measurable terms with a criterion: "During snack, Malik will request a food item with a word or sign in 7 of 10 chances."

Both can be good. The IEP team should read the IFSP outcomes and keep the family's priorities visible in the new goals. For how teachers turn routines into goals, see how to write IEP goals for preschoolers. For the supports that often follow a child into preschool, see preschool accommodations.

Questions to ask at the transition meeting

"Which services will continue, and which will change?"
"Where will my child get services: a preschool class, our home or child care?"
"Can our current therapist share notes with the school team?"
"Does our state let us keep an IFSP after age 3?"
"What happens if my child is not eligible for preschool special education?"

Each state has a Parent Training and Information Center that helps families with this move for free.^[14] For more on what the plan will look like after 3, see what is an IEP, the preschool IEP goals page and understanding IEP goals. Rules vary by state, and this is general information, not legal advice.

Frequently asked questions

Is an IFSP the same as an IEP?

No. An IFSP is the early intervention plan for children under 3 and their families, under IDEA Part C. An IEP is the school district's special education plan for children from age 3, under IDEA Part B. Both are written with the family and both describe services.

Does my child automatically get an IEP at age 3?

No. The school district has to evaluate your child and decide whether your child is eligible for preschool special education. Planning for this starts months before the third birthday, through the transition steps in the IFSP.

Can we keep the IFSP after my child turns 3?

Sometimes. A district may use an IFSP for a child ages 3 through 5 if the state allows it and the parents agree in writing. A few states also let children stay in early intervention until kindergarten. Ask your service coordinator about your state.

Who writes the IFSP and who writes the IEP?

The IFSP is written by the early intervention team with the family, led by a service coordinator. The IEP is written by the school district's IEP team, which includes the parents, a special education teacher, a general education teacher where relevant and a district representative.

Use it in IEP Atlas

Sources

34 CFR §303.20: Individualized family service plan, U.S. Department of Education (IDEA website)
34 CFR §303.344: Content of an IFSP, U.S. Department of Education (IDEA website)
34 CFR §303.209: Transition to preschool and other programs, U.S. Department of Education (IDEA website)
34 CFR Part 303: Early Intervention Program for Infants and Toddlers with Disabilities, eCFR (National Archives)
34 CFR §300.320: Definition of individualized education program, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
34 CFR §300.124: Transition of children from the Part C program to preschool programs, U.S. Department of Education (IDEA website)
34 CFR §300.323: When IEPs must be in effect, U.S. Department of Education (IDEA website)
34 CFR §300.324: Development, review, and revision of IEP, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
34 CFR §300.114: LRE requirements, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
34 CFR §300.17: Free appropriate public education, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
34 CFR §300.101: Free appropriate public education (FAPE), Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
34 CFR §300.111: Child find, U.S. Department of Education (IDEA website)
Early Childhood Transition, Early Childhood Technical Assistance Center
Center for Parent Information and Resources, CPIR
34 CFR §303.310: Post-referral timeline (45 days), Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
34 CFR §303.342: Procedures for IFSP development, review, and evaluation, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School
34 CFR §303.211: State option to make services under this part available to children ages three and older, Legal Information Institute, Cornell Law School

Written and checked by the IEP Atlas editorial team under our editorial policy. This guide describes general practice and federal rules. It is not legal advice; your state may add requirements, and the IEP team makes the decisions for each student.