Associations between child home language, gender, bilingualism and school readiness: A population-based study

•Different language groups show distinct patterns of school readiness.•Punjabi-speaking children show a ‘social and emotional balance profile’.•Cantonese- and Mandarin-speaking children show an ‘academic and independent profile’.•Bilingualism is associated with positive social, emotional, and cognitive development.•Data on cultural diversity in school readiness inform culturally responsive teaching.