There is a growing awareness today of the critical impact of the preschool years on a child's later academic success. Some studies indicate that many children today are less well prepared for school than were children beginning school 5 years ago. This publication examines what is known about school readiness; discusses the reasons why some children are unprepared; and outlines what schools, parents, and communities can do. Parental activities for building school readiness focus on providing support for a child's emotional, physical, and cognitive development. Information is provided on language development, an immunization schedule, choosing a good day school, and Head Start programs. Making schools ready for children involves parent, school, and community collaboration. Ensuring that all children start school ready to learn is crucial for the achievement of national education goals. Three figures, a calendar of suggested activities, and suggested readings for children are included. (LMI)