KINDERGARTEN LEARNERS' READINESS FOR PRIMARY EDUCATION AS PERCEIVED BY PARENTS

This study assessed the readiness of kindergarten learners for primary education in the SEND Cluster of Calanasan District, Apayao, for SY 2024–2025. It examined parents’ perceptions of their children's cognitive, emotional, and social readiness, evaluated actual readiness using the ECCD Checklist, and explored the relationship between the two. Using a descriptive-correlational design, 20 parents from Sabangan and Naguilian Elementary Schools participated. Results showed that parents perceived their children as school-ready, particularly in cognitive skills. ECCD results confirmed a very high level of readiness, especially in cognitive and fine motor areas. A very strong, significant correlation (r = 0.915, p < 0.001) was found, highlighting the accuracy of parental perceptions and the value of parent-teacher collaboration.