This measure is used to screen practical knowledge and perceived preparedness for routine caregiving responsibilities. The Childcare Readiness Scale is intended to capture a respondent’s understanding of everyday childcare tasks and expectations.
It consists of 16 items and typically takes about 3 minutes to complete. Items focus on common domains of daily care (e.g., hygiene, feeding, routines) and can help identify areas where additional education, guidance, or support may be indicated.
In clinical or psychoeducational contexts, the Childcare Readiness Scale may be used as a brief adjunct to interviews or broader parenting-related assessment, with results interpreted in light of the respondent’s circumstances and access to resources. Authorship is cited as Mary D. Salter Ainsworth and Arnold Sameroff.