(1) Each school district shall ensure that a continuum of alternative placements is available to meet the special education and related services needs of students eligible for special education services between the ages of three and twenty-one years old.

(2) The continuum required in this section for eligible students kindergarten (including five year olds in kindergarten) through age twenty-one must:

(a) Include the placements listed in the definition of special education services in WAC 392-172A-01175, such as instruction in general education classes, special education classes, special schools, home instruction, and instruction in hospitals and institutions; and

(b) Make provision for supplementary services such as resource room or itinerant instruction to be provided in conjunction with general education classroom placement.

(3) The continuum of alternative placements a public agency providing special education and related services to a preschool child with a disability may include, but is not limited to, the following:

(a) Providing opportunities for the participation of preschool children with disabilities in preschool programs operated by public agencies other than school districts (such as head start or community-based child care);

(b) Enrolling preschool children with disabilities in private preschool programs for nondisabled preschool children;

(c) Locating classes for preschool children with disabilities in regular public elementary schools; and

(d) Providing services and instruction in the home.

(4) If a public agency determines that placement in a private preschool program is necessary for a child with a disability to receive FAPE, the public agency must make that program available at no cost to the parent.