Parents’ Selection Factors When Choosing Preschool Programs for Their Children with Disabilities

摘要

Parents, including parents of children with disabilities, are often challenged to find preschools that meet their families’ various needs and desires. Research on preschool quality is prevalent, but these studies rarely consider how parents perceive quality. This descriptive study asked what parents value most when choosing a preschool for their child with disabilities. Results showed that while parents and experts value many of the same elements, parents value additional elements as well. Many parents felt their current preschool was their only option. When parents’ responses were categorized as structural, process, and familial elements of quality, no definitive preference was found. The conclusion shares implications and avenues for further research.