An observational case study was conducted during a 6-month preiod in an effort to determine whether teachers of 4-year-old children had expectations for their students' social behavior and academic performance. Students were in the prekindergarten program of a private child care center. The study also examined the ways in which expectations were relayed to the students and the ways in which students perceived the expectations. A total of 3 teachers and 48 children participated. It was found that the teachers did have expectations for students' social behavior and academic performance. Their expectations were based on information about such variables as children's capabilities, age, maturity, and family situations. The accuracy of the teachers' expectations for their students varied. Children in each group shared similar characteristics and teachers interacted with the grouped children in similar ways. The children were able to perceive and interpret the expectations their teachers had for social behaviors. Implications for preschool teachers and directions for further research are pointed out. (RH)