PERCEPTIONS OF PARENTS OF PRESCHOOL CHILDREN TOWARD PRESCHOOL EDUCATION

Statement of Problem. The purpose of this study was to collect and examine data dealing with parental perceptions of preschool education in four areas: staff selection; curriculum; program goals; and auxiliary services (health education, counseling, speech and hearing services, and services for special learning).;Procedures. Data gathered in a survey were examined in relationship to the following hypotheses: There will be a significant difference in parents' perceptions toward preschool education in areas of staff selection, program goals, curriculum, and auxiliary services according to the following: sex; socioeconomic level; educational background of parents; number of children with prior preschool experience in family; and, number of times parents had participated in preschool activities.;A total of 421 parents of preschool children received the survey. The survey consisted of 42 items based on a Likert-type scale. The items were scored in such a way that the most favorable response was given the lowest score and the least favorable the highest score.;The data gathered were compiled and examined using the one-way analysis of variance.;Results. The results of the study indicated no significant difference between males and females in any of the areas examined.;There was a significant difference between income levels and how parents felt about staff selection. The more the income, the more definite parents seemed to be about who should or should not teach in the preschool. There was no significant difference according to parents' previous experience with children in preschool and how they viewed staff selection. There was a significant difference in the number of times a parent participated in preschool activities and his/her attitude toward staff selection.;There was a significant difference between parents' educational levels and number of times parents had been involved with their child's preschool and how they perceived auxiliary services needed by the preschool. Income and previous experience of children enrolled were not significant to auxiliary services.;There was a significant difference between parents' educational level and parents who had had children in preschool and parents who had not and their attitude toward preschool curriculum. Socioeconomic level and number of times parents participated in centers' activities were not significant to curriculum.;There was no significant difference between socioeconomic level, number of times parents participated in preschool activities, times involved in preschool activities and their attitude toward program goals. There was a significant difference between parents' educational background and how parents felt about preschool program goals.;Conclusions. The majority of parents included in the sample population possessed favorable perceptions toward preschool education.;Most parents felt that although it was important for teachers to like children, they should also be certified in the area of Early Childhood or some related field. Parents also felt that parental involvement should be an integral part of the preschool program.