Early Entry to Kindergarten - page header image

Early Entry
to Kindergarten
Testing

Early Entry to Kindergarten Testing Services

early entry kindergarten testing Cary NC raleigh

Why Would I Need Kindergarten Readiness Testing?

North Carolina public schools require that your child be age 5 by August 31st in order to enter kindergarten in the fall. If your child's birthday is on the wrong side of this cutoff, even by just a day, then he or she can't attend kindergarten without submitting a special application that includes the results of Kindergarten Readiness Testing.

What is the Process of Early Entry Kindergarten Testing?

Counties in North Carolina require parents to submit a "portfolio" that includes samples of the child's work, letters of recommendation, etc., as well as testing scores from an IQ and achievement test. (Note: School systems don't offer early entry to kindergarten testing; it must be obtained through a private evaluation.) IQ testing (also referred to use aptitude testing) taps innate abilities (verbal skills, nonverbal skills, processing speed) while achievement testing assesses reading and math skills. Your child will need to score at the 98th percentile or higher on the IQ test AND at the 98th percentile or higher in reading OR math on the achievement test. Testing can be administered as early as April 17th of each year. We recommend early entry kindergarten testing be completed and submitted to your school by June or July. However, the report and portfolio can be turned in no later than 30 days after your child's fall semester starts.

early entrance kindergarten testing Cary NC raleigh

Wynns Family Psychology has offered early entry to kindergarten evaluations for decades, and the good news is we make it fun for your child! He or she will have no clue how important it is (or how you will be holding your breath until you get the results). Most kids who test with us leave the office asking, "When do I get to go back again?" The package typically includes the WPPSI-IV (IQ test), WJ-IV (achievement test), brief parent interview, written evaluation report, and a brief feedback session where we go over results and recommendations. Both tests are typically administered in a 2-hour block of time (unless your little one's attention span and activity level warrant giving the tests on two separate days), with a short break in between where your child can play for a few minutes or have a snack/drink from home.

If your child seems ready emotionally, socially, and behaviorally, and has demonstrated above average academic abilities, you may want to proceed with kindergarten testing. At Wynns Family Psychology, we believe kindergarten testing is usually worth a shot because it's so important to start your child when he or she is ready and enthusiastic!

When to Consider Early Kindergarten Entry and Readiness Testing

Although there is no perfect list of criteria to know whether your child is ready for early entry into kindergarten, you want to see that your child:

Knows his or her ABC's and numbers at least 1-10 (even better if he or she can sound out some simple words or recognize some sight words)
Can potentially show applied math skills (i.e., he or she has four blocks and can answer a question such as, "If I gave you two more blocks, how many would you have?")
Has demonstrated the ability to sit for periods of time in a structured setting and attend a "lesson"
Can handle separations from parents/caregivers well
Is excited and ready to go to "big school"
Is able to play well with peers (It's still normal for children to squabble over toys or fight, but you want to see your child playing well much of the time.)
Has demonstrated the ability to respect adult authority figures (other than you) by following directions and instructions
Can handle transitions during the day from one activity to the next
Is mature enough to be able to function comfortably with a large group of older children throughout a 6-7 hour day

kindergarten readiness testing Cary NC raleigh

We Can Help with Early Entrance to Kindergarten Testing

Wynns Family Psychology provides consultations and testing for kindergarten readiness to help parents determine if their child should enroll in kindergarten “early” or wait another year. We assess not only your child’s IQ and academic skills, but also screen their social skills, behavior, emotional development, and attention. For many parents, making the decision to send your child to kindergarten early, on time, or to possibly wait another year is a tough one. But we’re here to share our expertise in child development to help you with this important decision! Below we've listed several North Carolina counties and their information on Early Kindergarten Entry. Check out our Early Entry to Kindergarten Resources page for futher reading, a list of pros and cons to consider, and additional resources. If you can't find what you're looking for, please feel free to contact us and we'll be happy to answer any questions.

Early Entry to Kindergarten Resources & Articles

Resource Library

View all of the Wynns Family Psychology resource content in the main Resources section. Articles, webinars, videos and more!.
WFP Resource Library

Testing F.A.Q.

I'm not sure what kind of testing I need. What do I do first?

Call the office (919-467-7777) to schedule the parent consult. This is an in-depth parent-only interview to go over the history, the purpose for your testing, and to ensure the evaluation you choose is designed to answer those questions for you. This meeting provides you with more information about testing so you can make a decision about moving forward (whether you decide in the office or need to think about it/ discuss it first). Your evaluator can help you then with next steps (e.g., cost of testing package, whether parent or teacher surveys are needed) when you’re ready. The cost of this meeting is the provider’s hourly fee.

How quickly can I get a testing appointment scheduled, and how long does it take to get back testing results?

Because Wynns Family Psychology highly values assessments, we specifically block time on our schedules each week for testing cases. So, when you call to set up a testing appointment, we can typically see you within a week or two. After the evaluation, we generally schedule an in-person feedback session within 3 weeks to discuss the comprehensive report results. Please also note, for evaluations that require parent and teacher surveys, it is important to complete quickly (e.g., by the final day of face-to-face testing is ideal) and to check in with teachers to ensure they’ve completed their paperwork as well. This data is an important aspect of diagnostic decision making and reports can be very long and time consuming. Delays in paperwork can mean delays in results.

How is Gifted / AIG testing helpful for my child?

When it comes to Gifted Testing, many parents know their child is “bright” but don’t know specific strengths. The I.Q. and Achievement components that comprise our Gifted Testing provide a comprehensive assessment of your child’s cognitive and academic abilities. And once you have the report, you can use it to qualify your child for AIG services to make school more challenging and enriching!

Should I wait until my child is older to pursue testing?

It depends on your specific concerns. Experts recommend when dealing with disorders (like Autism, Asperger’s Syndrome, AD/HD, Learning Disabilities, etc.), the sooner the intervention — the better. With certain disorders such as these, waiting to test (and hoping things will improve on their own) can result in your child’s problems getting worse. If you feel unsure about how to proceed, an in-person consultation is the best and most thorough way to assess your child’s situation. After this meeting, we’ll make recommendations about which tests would be most helpful (or whether one of our other services such as individual or group therapy might be more appropriate). And the price of most consults can be applied toward the cost of our testing packages. Or if you prefer, we’re always happy to provide a free 10-15 minute phone consultation to discuss your concerns and help you determine which path to take.

Why is an assessment helpful?

Parents often have concerns about their child’s academic, social, developmental, or emotional functioning. They know that “something just isn’t right” but can’t put their finger on it. Undergoing a thorough psychological or psychoeducational assessment can provide specific answers about what is (and what isn’t) going on with your child. Many parents see their children flounder in school and their personal lives for years — spending money on tutors and therapists, without ever determining the root cause of the problem. Having a formal and professional assessment not only yields diagnoses and rules out other disorders, it ultimately saves valuable time and money. Additionally, parents often share our reports with their schools to setup an IEP, 504, or Gifted Plan (DEP) with pediatricians and other professionals such as speech therapists, occupational therapists, and tutors.

What makes WFP testing services stand out?

Our expert evaluation services are administered by experienced, doctoral-level psychologists that know how to connect with kids in a fun and relaxed environment. We help families by accurately diagnosing children with a wide variety of complex and overlapping concerns. And our comprehensive assessments not only uncover the presence of underlying learning, attention, and psychological issues, but also provide in-depth details about each child’s unique strengths, weaknesses, and needs. We take great pride in the quality, accuracy, and timeliness of our assessments. As a result, our solution-focused reports and custom recommendations piece together a child’s complex puzzle and teach families how to deal with ongoing problems. By the end of your feedback session, your family will be equipped with the answers needed to properly address your concerns and successfully move forward.

Frequently Asked Questions

Resource Videos

View all of the Wynns Family Psychology resource videos in the Video Gallery.
Resource Videos

“

”

View All Testimonials/Reviews

Get In Touch - Information & Scheduling

Call 919-467-7777 or email Info@WynnsFamilyPsychology.com to schedule an appointment or to learn more about our therapy services, testing services, social skills groups, custody services, and team of psychologists and therapists. You can also complete our new client inquiry form to get started.

Most new clients are scheduled for their first full appointment at the Cary, Raleigh, or Greensboro, NC office locations within one to two weeks of calling. We also offer telehealth for those who prefer to have virtual sessions from home, school, or the office.

Request An Appointment Today