Child care providers play a key role in families’ lives, developing trusted, long- standing relationships with parents and children. Because of the daily interaction between child care providers and the children they serve, parents have learned to rely on providers for insight and information regarding a child’s development. The question, "Is my child ready for school?" is one providers face frequently. Parents must be reminded that "ready for school" means much more than knowing the alphabet and being ready to read.
The concept of school readiness is emphasized in the National Education Goals, established in 1990, stating that "By the year 2000, all children in America will start school ready to learn." Putting that concept into practice requires careful attention to the whole child, giving recognition to all of the factors that enable a child to learn. The stage in a child’s development when he/she moves from pre-school to kindergarten is a critical one for both parent and child. As providers, we can assist in easing that transition by offering parents the following tips:
1. In the child care profession, we have broad experience with the wide variety in children’s development and learning. We know that no two children are exactly alike, so there is no "one-size-fits-all" approach to learning. Remind parents to respect their child as an individual, especially as they begin formal schooling.
2. A child’s health, nutrition, social and emotional development play a part in school readiness. Remind parents that a child’s growth and development is complex and multi-dimensional and cannot be based on a narrow set of skills. Reinforce with parents that a child who is hungry cannot learn. A healthy diet and regular medical and dental check ups are essential to the child’s ability to learn and to get along with others cooperatively.
3. As providers, we know the importance of research that illustrates the link between parental involvement in education and the child’s future success and achievement. Remind parents to become involved in their children’s education early, even before school begins. One way for parents to do that is to talk with teachers, principals and other school officials to determine the school’s expectations. Parents should feel comfortable that the school their child is entering is supportive of individual differences and ready to meet a variety of needs.
4. Remind parents that new adults will be playing a role in their child’s life and that they should work to establish a relationship with them. Parents can greatly help their child (and sometimes themselves) ease the jitters by visiting the school ahead of time and introducing themselves and their child to the principal, teachers, librarian or other personnel. Parents and children should explore the child’s classroom, cafeteria, gymnasium and other important areas.
5. If their child will ride a school bus, tell parents to see if a trial bus run is planned. If not, parents should let their child know what to expect from the daily bus trip, i.e. who will wait for him/her at the bus stop and where he/she will go when he/she arrives at school.
6. Recommend that parents register their child promptly and make sure his/her immunization record is up to date.
7. Suggest that parents begin to establish routines like earlier bedtimes, making lunches or setting out clothes the night before for the next day. Allowing children to help with these tasks further reinforces skills needed for starting school.
8. Help parents to arrange playtime with a child who will be in his/her class. Having a familiar playmate in the class raises the child’s comfort level.
9. As providers, we are familiar with the enthusiasm and curiosity of five year olds. Remind parents to encourage that natural spirit in their children as they embark on this new adventure called "kindergarten."
10. Encourage parents to have a positive attitude. Parents who are enthusiastic and positive send the message that education is important and valuable. Parents can help boost children’s self esteem by reassuring them and by showing confidence in their abilities. Remind parents that just as children easily detect anxieties and fears in parents, they will also detect excitement and enthusiasm.
The National Task Force on School Readiness offers stresses that all sectors in a child’s life family, school, and community play important roles in determining whether a child will be successful (National Task Force on School Readiness, 1991). Child care providers’ roles are continually expanding in scope. By helping to ease the formal schooling transition for parents and children, we contribute greatly to children’s future success in school and in life.