Abstract
Based on the intersection of different systems at school entry, children and families often experience uncertainty about their preparedness and impending shift from other early childhood settings. This study used a mixed-methods explanatory sequential design and investigated the perspectives of parents and caregivers on kindergarten readiness with a focus on the impact of a summer kindergarten transition program in a southeastern state in the USA. A survey of 380 parents and caregivers within 30 randomly selected kindergarten classrooms and interviews with 10 parents and caregivers revealed informative findings. Based on the survey of the perspectives of parents and caregivers, children were more likely to demonstrate kindergarten readiness when they participated in the summer kindergarten transition program Countdown to Kindergarten (CTK), attended a preschool program, and were the first child to attend kindergarten in their families. Children were more likely to demonstrate kindergarten readiness when their parent and caregivers had more knowledge about kindergarten expectations and stronger relationships with the kindergarten teacher. The interview data revealed that CTK had a positive impact on child preparedness for kindergarten, parent/caregiver–teacher relationship, parent/caregiver involvement in school and class activities, and home learning. Parents/caregivers considered that CTK was of high quality, and they had different perspectives about their preferred number of visits and the location of visits. The findings can be used to inform the design and implementation of kindergarten transition programs as well as policy making in early childhood education and care.
Résumé
En raison de l’intersection de différents systèmes au moment de l’entrée à l’école, les enfants et les familles sont souvent confrontés à des incertitudes quant à leur état de préparation et à un changement imminent d’autres contextes de la petite enfance. Cette étude a utilisé une conception séquentielle explicative à méthodes mixtes et a étudié les perspectives des parents et des tuteurs sur la préparation à la maternelle, en mettant l'accent sur l'impact d'un programme de transition d'été à la maternelle dans un État du sud-est des États-Unis. Une enquête auprès de 380 parents et tuteurs dans 30 classes de maternelle sélectionnées au hasard et des entretiens avec 10 parents et tuteurs ont révélé des résultats informatifs. D'après l'enquête menée auprès des parents et des tuteurs, les enfants étaient plus susceptibles de démontrer qu'ils étaient prêts à la maternelle lorsqu'ils participaient au programme de transition d'été à la maternelle Countdown to Kindergarten (CTK), fréquentaient un programme préscolaire et étaient le premier enfant à fréquenter la maternelle en Leurs familles. Les enfants étaient plus susceptibles de démontrer qu'ils étaient prêts à la maternelle lorsque leurs parents et leurs tuteurs connaissaient mieux les attentes de la maternelle et avaient des relations plus solides avec l'enseignant de la maternelle. Les données des entretiens ont révélé que le CTK avait un impact positif sur la préparation des enfants à la maternelle, sur la relation parent/tuteur-enseignant, sur la participation des parents/tuteurs aux activités scolaires et en classe et sur l'apprentissage à domicile. Les parents/tuteurs considéraient que le CTK était de haute qualité et avaient des points de vue différents sur le nombre de visites qu'ils préféraient et le lieu des visites. Les résultats peuvent être utilisés pour éclairer la conception et la mise en oeuvre de programmes de transition vers la maternelle ainsi que l’élaboration de politiques en matière d’éducation et de garde de la petite enfance.
Resumen
Debido a la intersección de diferentes sistemas al ingresar a la escuela, los niños y las familias a menudo experimentan incertidumbre sobre su preparación y un cambio inminente desde otros entornos de la primera infancia. Este estudio utilizó un diseño secuencial explicativo de métodos mixtos e investigó las perspectivas de los padres y cuidadores sobre la preparación para el jardín de infantes con un enfoque en el impacto de un programa de transición al jardín de infantes de verano en un estado del sureste de los Estados Unidos. Una encuesta realizada a 380 padres y cuidadores dentro de 30 aulas de jardín de infantes seleccionadas al azar y entrevistas con 10 padres y cuidadores revelaron hallazgos informativos. Según la encuesta de las perspectivas de los padresy cuidadores, los niños tenían más probabilidades de demostrar preparación para el jardín de infantes cuando participaban en el programa de transición de verano al jardín de infantes Countdown to Kindergarten (CTK), asistían a un programa preescolar y eran el primer niño en asistir al jardín de infantes en sus familias. Los niños tenían más probabilidades de demostrar preparación para el jardín de infantes cuando sus padres y cuidadores tenían más conocimiento sobre las expectativas del jardín de infantes y relaciones más sólidas con el maestro de jardín de infantes. Los datos de la entrevista revelaron que CTK tuvo un impacto positivo en la preparación de los niños para el jardín de infantes, la relación entre padres/cuidadores y maestros, la participación de padres/cuidadores en las actividades escolares y de clase, y el aprendizaje en el hogar. Los padres/cuidadores consideraron que CTK era de alta calidad y tenían diferentes perspectivas sobre su número preferido de visitas y la ubicación de las mismas. Los hallazgos pueden usarse para informar el diseño y la implementación de programas de transición al jardín de infantes, así como la formulación de políticas en educación y cuidado de la primera infancia.
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Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the support and input from the South Carolina Department of Social Services, South Carolina First Steps partnerships, Propulsion Squared, members of the South Carolina Preschool Development Grant Collaborative, and the teachers and parents/caregivers who participated in Countdown to Kindergarten and this study.
Funding
This work was funded through the Preschool Development Grant Birth through the Five Initiative (PDG B-5), Grant Number 90TP0080-02–00, from the Office of Child Care, Administration for Children and Families, and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
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Appendices
Appendix A: Parent/Caregiver Survey
Directions: Please take a few minutes to answer the following questions about your current kindergartner. Consider the adjustment to kindergarten and you and your child’s experience so far in kindergarten and at the school.
Q1. How much did you know about what was expected of your child at the beginning of the school year?
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Nothing
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Not Much
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Some
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A lot
Q2. How prepared was your child for kindergarten at the beginning of the school year?
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Not Prepared at All
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Somewhat Prepared
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Prepared
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Very Prepared
Q3. How would you describe your child’s adjustment to kindergarten at the beginning of the school year?
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Very Difficult
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Somewhat Difficult
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Somewhat Easy
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Very Easy
Q4. How does your child feel about kindergarten now?
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Does Not Like It
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It’s Okay
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Likes It
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Loves It
Q5. How would you describe your relationship with your child’s kindergarten teacher?
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Poor
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Fair
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Good
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Excellent
Q6. How connected do you feel to your child’s (or children’s) school?
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Not Very Connected
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Somewhat Connected
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Very Connected
Q7. How likely are you to contact your child’s kindergarten teacher when you have a question or concern?
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Not Likely
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Somewhat Likely
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Very Likely
Q8. How likely are you to contact your child’s school when you have a question or concern at the school level?
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Not Likely
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Somewhat Likely
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Very Likely
Q9. Did your child attend a preschool program before kindergarten?
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Yes
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No
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I Don’t Know
Q10. Is this the first child in your life who has attended kindergarten (not counting your own experience as a child)?
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Yes
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No
Q11. Did your child’s kindergarten teacher or other school staff visit with you and your child at home, at school, at another location, or online during the summer prior to the start of kindergarten?
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Yes
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No
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I Don’t Know
Appendix B: Parent/Caregiver Interview Protocol
Good morning/afternoon. We are the evaluators of the Countdown to Kindergarten (CTK) program. We really appreciate you including your contact information in the survey and your willingness to participate in this interview. The purpose of this interview is to better understand the quality, implementation, and impact of the CTK program. Your personal information will be kept confidential. The interview will last about 10–20 min. Do you have any questions or concerns before we start the interview? Thank you!
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1.
How did you learn about Countdown to Kindergarten?
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2.
Why did you decide to participate in Countdown to Kindergarten?
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3.
About how many times did your child’s teacher or school representative meet with you and your child? Was this a good number of visits?
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4.
Were these meetings at your home, virtual, or in another location? What is your preferred location for visits?
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5.
Did your child like the program?
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6.
How did participation in CTK impact your child?
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7.
Do you feel like your child was more prepared for kindergarten because of participation in Countdown to Kindergarten?
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8.
How did participation in CTK impact you/your family?
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9.
How was the overall quality of the program?
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10.
What suggestions do you have to improve Countdown to Kindergarten in future years?
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11.
Would you recommend Countdown to Kindergarten to other parents?
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12.
Is there anything else you would like to share with us about this program?
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Fan, X., D’Amico, L.K., Kilburn, J. et al. Perspectives of Parents and Caregivers on Kindergarten Readiness: A Focus on the Impact of a Summer Transition Program. IJEC (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-023-00378-7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13158-023-00378-7