FAQs about School Readiness Assessment
What is the ideal age for a School Readiness Assessment?
We typically assess children aged 4 to 6 years, though assessments may also be useful slightly earlier or later depending on need.
How long will the process take?
Reports typically take 4 weeks from the last assessment session.
Do you need existing reports or referrals?
No – they help, but we can start with your history, observations and new testing.
What does the School Readiness Assessment evaluate?
A school readiness assessment can benefit children whose parents are considering whether to send their child to school early or provide them with an additional year of kindergarten before transitioning to school. A school readiness assessment will provide insight into a child’s cognitive, language, pre-academic, social, emotional, and behavioural development. The assessment helps to identify areas of developmental delay or challenge and provides guidance regarding targeted and evidence-based intervention, and/or educational adjustments and supports required before or once a child has transitioned to school.
What does it include?
A school readiness assessment will typically start with a 1-hour intake session with your psychologist to gather background information regarding your child’s history of development, preschool experiences, any particular challenges or concerns currently present, and the history of any previous supports or interventions put in place. The intake session is commonly conducted with just the parents/caregivers.
Following the intake session, there is typically between 2 to 3 hours of assessment, involving the completion of a Cognitive Assessment (such as the WPPSI-IV); this provides insight into your child’s overall level of intellectual ability and specific areas of cognitive strength and challenge. Assessing their early literacy and numeracy skills (such as knowledge of letter names and sounds, letter writing, counting and knowledge of shapes) will also provide insight into your child’s readiness for formal learning. It also identifies areas that may need to be targeted by intervention. Their social, emotional, and behavioural development will also be assessed and observed via play-based activities.
Questionnaires are often sent out to parents and kindergarten teachers during the assessment to understand the child’s level of social, emotional and behavioural development. Phone calls with kindergarten teachers and other relevant support staff (such as speech pathologists and occupational therapists) can also form part of a comprehensive assessment.
Typically, four weeks after the final assessment, a feedback session is conducted with the parents to explain the assessment results, recommend supports and strategies going forward, and answer any questions. A comprehensive and individualised report is also provided at this time.
How much does a School Readiness Assessment cost?
Depending on client goals, a school readiness assessment may fall within the scope of a Developmental Screening Assessment ($580) or the RBP Standard Assessment Package ($2030). Enquire Now to find out more.
