Ready or Not: Childcare Providers⿿ and Kindergarten Teachers⿿Perceptions on the School Readiness of Children withand without Disabilities

by Andrea Morris

The Ready or Not" study examined the perceptions ofcenter-based childcare provider and kindergartenteacher perceptions on school readiness of childrenwith and without disabilities. Findings indicatedthat reporting childcare providers placed moreemphasis on academic readiness skills whilekindergarten teachers placed more emphasis on socialand behavioral skills. Surveyed participants alsoindicated their beliefs that childrenâ¿¿s preschoolexperiences are important for school readiness andthat children without disabilities tend to be moreready for kindergarten than children withdisabilities. While these findings help advancepresent understanding of the differences inperceptions of childcare providers and kindergartenteachers on school readiness further research isrecommended to replicate results and delve deeperinto the reasons behind the differences. Results ofthis study also emphasize the need for bettercommunication of kindergarten expectations and forteaching social and behavioral skills necessary tohelp children make a smooth kindergarten transition."

72 pages, Paperback

Published October 15, 2008