The developmental milestone expectations, parenting style, self-construal in Malaysian caregivers from Malay, Chinese and Indian backgrounds were examined. Striking commonalities emerged, which is in line with the shared collectivist characteristics of these three ethnic groups. Self-construal and parenting style were not significantly different between ethnic groups or mothers and fathers. Caregivers were more likely to endorse an authoritative than authoritarian parenting style. For the developmental milestone expectations, similar age expectations for self-care, emotional control and environmental independence were shared. Indian parents had relatively delayed age expectations for compliance, peer interaction and communication and a later age expectation than the Malay caregivers for education. These later age expectations reflect the relaxed, indulgent view of childrearing held by caregivers from an Indian background. It is important for early childhood educationalists to be aware of cultural differences, so that the transition from home to school can be facilitated in all children.