Exploring Online Preschool Programs in children’s academic preparation for elementary school: a case study in Indonesia

The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed preschool education, expanding beyond traditional methods to include digital learning innovations, even in early childhood education. This study investigates the implementation of Islamic education through an Online Preschool Program in Indonesia. Using a qualitative approach, the research involved 20 parents as participants over eight months. Data were collected through interviews, observations, and document analysis and analyzed using NVIVO 12 software in conjunction with Miles and Huberman’s framework. The findings highlight the diverse online preschool programs available, parents’ motivations for and challenges in enrolling their children, and the perceived benefits and impacts on both parents and children. Key results show that the Online Preschool Program effectively supports parents in integrating Islamic education at home while also contributing to children’s intellectual, social, and religious development and enhancing their readiness for formal schooling. This study fills gaps in previous research by providing an in-depth analysis of the role of online preschool programs in Islamic education during early childhood.