An IFSP is the written plan that guides early intervention services for a child under 3. It plays the same role an IEP plays for school-age children — it says what help the child will get, how often, and where — but with one big difference in spirit: it's built around the family, not just the child. The plan can include goals for how the family supports the child's growth, and services are often delivered in the home.
A good IFSP names the child's current abilities, the outcomes the family wants — like "Sofia will use words to ask for what she needs" — and the specific services that will get there: who provides them, how often, in what setting, and starting when. Just like an IEP, vague promises are worth flagging: a service without a frequency isn't really a commitment.
The IFSP is reviewed at least every six months and rewritten every year, so it should keep pace with a fast-changing toddler. As the third birthday approaches, the IFSP team helps plan the move to a preschool IEP. You're a full member of the team at every step — the plan is supposed to reflect your priorities for your child, in your words.
General information and document preparation — not legal advice.