Exploring school leaders\u27 perceptions about children\u27s transition from home to school in early years

This dissertation explores perceptions of school principals\u27 perceptions about children\u27s transition from home to school in early years in the Pakistani educational context. Starting school is an important and key event in young children\u27s life as it lays foundation for their well-being and future academic attainment. However, it has yet not been recognized prominently in the Pakistani research context. Thus, keeping in view the importance and need of smooth early transition, this dissertation has attempted to explore school principals\u27 perceptions about children\u27s transition from home to school. The data was generated through semi-structured interviews with three purposefully selected participants and school observations. The findings included the principal\u27s perceptions about children\u27s transitions experiences, strategies that are implemented in schools to support children\u27s transition, parental engagement activities and the challenges faced by schools during children\u27s transition. The results showed similarities and differences in the perceptions and practices of school principals. The principals of private and trust schools found to be little successful in implementing transition program in schools than the public school. The findings also showed the perceptions which were contrasted to the practices. The principals\u27 perceptions about children\u27s transitions and their practices determine the level of their understanding about children\u27s developmental needs during transition from home to school. Based on the findings, the study draws a few conclusions having implications for early years practitioners, school principals, policy makers and researchers to support home to school transitions