TURNING FIVE AND KINDERGARTEN Planning

Many families reach a point during preschool where they are unsure what the right next step is for kindergarten. Questions often come up about whether a child is ready for a general education setting, what supports may be needed, or whether a more specialized program should be considered. A comprehensive evaluation can help clarify these decisions and provide a clear path forward.

When is an evaluation helpful?

An evaluation at this age may be helpful if:

  • You are unsure whether your child is ready for kindergarten

  • You are deciding between public school, private school, or a specialized setting

  • Your child has an IEP and you want guidance on services

  • Your child’s preschool has raised concerns

  • You feel your child may need more support than they are currently receiving

For preschool-aged children, the evaluation covers many of the same core areas as a comprehensive neuropsychological evaluation, with adjustments made for developmental level. This includes a detailed look at cognitive development, language, attention and executive functioning, early learning and memory, fine-motor skills, early academic readiness skills, and social-emotional functioning.

what is the purpose of an evaluation at this age?

At this age, the goal is not simply to describe a child’s profile, but to use that information to guide decisions about kindergarten placement and support. The evaluation is designed to answer practical questions about what type of setting and level of support will allow a child to be successful.

We routinely include a classroom observation and gather input from teachers and school staff to understand how a child is functioning in their current setting. This allows us to provide recommendations that are grounded in both testing data and real-world classroom performance.

What does the evaluation provide?

Following the evaluation, families receive:

  • Clear recommendations regarding kindergarten placement (general education, integrated, or specialized settings)

  • Guidance on appropriate services and supports for an IEP

  • Insight into whether a child may benefit from a more specialized school environment

  • Specific, practical next steps for moving forward

Experience and approach

I have worked extensively with preschool-aged children for over 30 years and remain closely involved in every case, including those conducted by other members of my team. We are very familiar with the range of options available to families, including public school programs, specialized schools, and private school settings, and are able to provide specific guidance about what may be the best fit for a given child.

With the addition of my staff, we are often able to offer more timely availability, as well as a range of fees depending on the provider.

If you are unsure what the right next step is for your child as they approach kindergarten, we would be happy to discuss whether an evaluation would be helpful and how we can support your decision-making process.