Caregivers’ Roles in Promoting Transition from Childcare Centers to Preschools in Bangkok

Abstract

This research aimed to study caregivers’ roles in promoting the transition from childcare centers to preschools in Bangkok in two aspects, which were promoting school readiness and building the transition to preschool. The sample included 291 caregivers of 2–3-year-old children located in Bangkok under three offices; the Office of the Private Education Commission, the Department of Social Development of the Bangkok Metropolitan Area, and the Department of Children and Youth in the 2020 academic year. The research instruments included a questionnaire and interview form. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation and content analysis. The research found that caregivers played a significant role in promoting the transition from childcare centers to preschool
(M = 4.25). From this, the most significant aspects were in promoting school readiness (M = 4.62) and building the transition to preschool (M = 3.89), respectively. The caregivers did not encounter any problems in promoting school readiness; however, one problem existed with building the transition to preschool, which was the lack of cooperation from parents in preparing the children to adapt to preschool.  One suggestion is that caregivers should build good relationships and work closely with preschool teachers and parents in order to help aid the transition.