Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Title A name given to the resource Faculty Publications Article Faculty Publications -Articles Dublin Core The Dublin Core metadata element set is common to all Omeka records, including items, files, and collections. For more information see, http://dublincore.org/documents/dces/. Creator An entity primarily responsible for making the resource Pattathil, Lakshmi G.; Neelakantan, Meera S. Title A name given to the resource Navigating the transition to preschool: Understanding the experience of parents in urban india Date A point or period of time associated with an event in the lifecycle of the resource 01-01-2026 Source A related resource from which the described resource is derived Journal of Early Childhood Research; Identifier An unambiguous reference to the resource within a given context <a href="https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X261417797" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://doi.org/10.1177/1476718X261417797</a> <br /><br /><a href="https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105029545345?origin=resultslist" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">https://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105029545345?origin=resultslist</a> Coverage The spatial or temporal topic of the resource, the spatial applicability of the resource, or the jurisdiction under which the resource is relevant Pattathil L.G., CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, India; Neelakantan M.S., CHRIST (Deemed to be University), Bengaluru, India Description An account of the resource This qualitative study explores the experiences of parents in urban india as they navigate the process of selecting a preschool for their children, particularly in light of the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, which started in March 2020. In this study, preschool refers to formal early childhood education programs for children before entering primary school (typically serving children aged 35). This research examines the factors influencing parental decision-making, including the perceived importance of play-based learning, health and safety protocols, school proximity, and teacher qualifications. The study also explores the range of parental emotions experienced during this transition, from anxiety to excitement, as their children begin their preschool education. Using narrative analysis, the study involved interviews with 12 parents of children aged 37 who had recently enrolled their children in preschool. The findings highlight the significant influence of childrens perceived responses to the preschool environment on parental satisfaction and subsequent decision-making. The COVID-19 pandemic emerged as a key contextual factor shaping both the transition process and preschool selection criteria. This research highlights the active role parents play in seeking enriching early learning environments for their children. It also suggests the need for educational policymakers to support high-quality preschool education, particularly by fostering effective parental engagement, to facilitate smoother transitions for families and bridge the gap between quantitative educational targets and the qualitative dimensions of parental experience. The Author(s) 2026 Subject The topic of the resource early childhood education; India; preschool transition; urban living parents Publisher An entity responsible for making the resource available SAGE Publications Ltd Relation A related resource ISSN: 1476718X; Language A language of the resource English Type The nature or genre of the resource Article Rights Information about rights held in and over the resource Restricted Access; Hardcopy may be available in the library Format The file format, physical medium, or dimensions of the resource online