If you are looking for preschool options for your child, you may be confused. What is the difference between daycare and preschool? Which is the best choice for your family?
Purpose of Daycare is Child Care
The driving of purpose daycare is to provide childcare for working parents. Usually, that means a daycare is often open for longer hours and has children attending from birth through age 5. Some daycares also offer after school care for ages 5 through 12. That means babies and older children are in the same building.
While this can be very convenient for parents, it does mean that teachers in daycare settings are also working long hours and have many daily needs to care for besides education. Daycares may have educational time in the mornings, but typically afternoons are taken up with naps, videos, and outside play. In addition, because many daycares try to keep costs down, the student-teacher ratio may be higher than a preschool.
Purpose of Preschool is Child Education
Preschools can be used as childcare for working parents; however, they generally are more than just a place for children to be safe and cared for. Essentially, the purpose of a preschool is preparing children for formal schooling.
Preschool teachers are often more highly educated and trained than daycare workers. The preschool curriculum is usually carefully thought out and includes everything done during the day. Even snacks and playtime may be used as part of teaching lessons. Preschools generally only have classes for toddlers through pre-kindergarten. In addition, preschools often offer a choice in the number of days or whether a child attends only in the morning or the whole day.
How to Choose between Daycare and Preschool
One of the best ways to choose a program for your child is to go and experience it. An excellent program will encourage you to do this, knowing that finding a fit your family is an important part of making this decision. Contact Kid's Konnect for a free stay and play with your child for an hour or as long as you'd like.