Final answer:
The Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP) is the legal document designed for children ages 0-3 to outline their educational and therapy plans. It assists in early intervention for children with developmental delays or disabilities, and transitions to an Individualized Education Program (IEP) for children ages 2.5 to 6.
Step-by-step explanation:
The legal document that outlines the educational/therapy plan for children ages 0-3 is called an Individualized Family Service Plan (IFSP). The IFSP is a plan for early intervention services for children with developmental delays or disabilities and their families. It assesses the unique needs of the child and lays out specific services to address those needs. This plan is crucial for children ages 0 to 2.5, as it outlines the developmental goals and interventions during this formative period.
For children ages 2.5 to 6, a similar but distinct document called an Individualized Education Program (IEP) comes into play once the child transitions out of early intervention services provided by IFSP. The IEP focuses on educational goals and is used throughout a child's schooling, which may include specialized instruction and therapy to support the child's development and education. Overall, these documents serve as a road map to assist children and their families in navigating early intervention and educational services, ensuring that personalized support is provided to promote the child's growth and learning.