Lighting the way into preschool
SEIT capacity where NYC needs it most
Guiding Star is a Brooklyn preschool special education agency building a team of NYS-certified special education teachers, with Spanish, Russian and Yiddish capacity, to serve CPSE offices once NYSED approves our program.
What CPSE can expect
- Certified teachers only. Every Guiding Star SEIT will be a NYS-certified special education teacher, cleared through NYC Public Schools personnel clearance (PETS) and the State Central Register before working with a child.
- Language capacity where it's needed. We're recruiting around DOE's published need: Spanish, Russian and Yiddish in Brooklyn, plus English.
- We only accept what we can staff. If we can't place a qualified teacher at the child's setting, we'll say so right away, so the child isn't left waiting.
- Clear, quick communication. A named coordinator, a direct line, and straight answers on staffing status, start dates and documentation.
Guiding Star has applied to the New York State Education Department (NYSED) for approval to provide Special Education Itinerant Services (SEIS). Approval is pending, and we are not yet providing services.
Start here
Find what you need
CPSE & DOE
Need SEIT capacity?
See what CPSE offices can expect from us, the languages and boroughs we're hiring for, and how to reach our team directly.
For CPSE administratorsTeachers
Certified in special education?
We're building our founding team of NYS-certified special education teachers, with bilingual teachers especially welcome.
See careersFamilies
Is your child turning 3?
Learn how preschool special education works in NYC, from Early Intervention to CPSE to services on the IEP.
The CPSE guideWhat is SEIT?
Special education that comes to the classroom
A Special Education Itinerant Teacher is a NYS-certified special education teacher who travels to where a preschooler already learns, so the child gets support without leaving their class.
How SEIT worksComes to the child
A SEIT travels to where the child already spends the day, such as a 3-K or Pre-K class, Head Start, a child care setting, or in some cases home.
Teaches skills, one-on-one or in small groups
Specially designed instruction focused on the goals in the child's IEP, including learning, communication, social and emotional skills.
Supports the classroom teacher
SEIT can include consultation with the child's teacher, so strategies keep working when the SEIT isn't in the room.
Partners with the family
Regular communication with parents about progress and ways to support the same goals at home.
The age-3 transition
Early Intervention ends at 3. Here's what comes next.
In New York City, support for children 3 to 5 moves from Early Intervention to the Committee on Preschool Special Education (CPSE). Services on your child's IEP are free. Our family guide walks through each step in plain language.
Read the family guide-
Around 2½
Your EI service coordinator starts transition planning and can help you write to CPSE.
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Referral
You ask your local CPSE office, in writing, to evaluate your child.
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Evaluation & IEP
Free evaluations, then a meeting where you and the CPSE decide on services.
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Age 3+
Services on the IEP begin, at no cost to your family.
Special education teacher? Let's talk.
We're building our founding team of NYS-certified special education teachers. Tell us about yourself and we'll be in touch.