Preschools normally organise the children in classes according to their age.
Maybe your little one is happily ensconced in day care, but you’re thinking it may be time to graduate to preschool. Maybe he’s spent his first years at home, and you’re scouting the best option for his classroom debut.
Either way, you may be wondering: Do the benefits of preschool outweigh those offered by a good day care? Not necessarily. That’s because daycare centres and preschools operate under the same general guidelines. These days, daycare centres often provide more than care - they also offer learning activities to prep kids for kindergarten, which means the curriculum may mirror a good preschool’s.
Plus, sending your child to day care can cost about the same as sending him to preschool. Still, there are some key differences between preschool and day care - differences you’ll probably want to consider before you turn over that (hefty) deposit. Here’s what sets them apart:
Hours:
Preschools generally have shorter daily hours - most also close on holidays, for week-long breaks, and for the school holidays (though some preschools offer camps for an extra fee when the school year ends). With preschools, you usually have to choose between half-day and full-day programmes. And you probably need to enrol your child for at least two days each week.
Daycare centres are more flexible when it comes to hours - they tend to open early and close late to cater to working parents. Plus, they’re more likely than preschools to remain open year-round. Some daycare centres allow you to totally personalise your child’s schedule (just an hour on some days so you can run errands at your pace and not your tot’s; full days on others so you can go to work).
Ages:
Kids, from wee infants to primary school pupils, are welcome at many daycare centres. That means your tyke may get a chance to socialise with bigger kids and be around babies (a huge bonus if your only child is soon becoming a big sibling). Downside: It also means the caregivers may be more preoccupied with the really little ones.
Preschools usually accept children aged two to five. Plus, age groups tend to be separated at preschools - there’s usually one classroom for the three-year-olds and another for the four- and five-year-olds, though they may mingle by the swings and slides at the playground.
Potty prerequisites:
Many preschools require your child to be toilet-trained. Daycare centres accept kids in diapers.
The three Rs:
Preschool programmes are more learning-oriented and are often based on a certain approach to teaching (find out about these preschool options). Preschool staff members may have more formal training (find out before you sign up).
Still stuck? Since general guidelines will take you only so far, it’s time to look closer to home. Focus on the specific centres in your area. The best programme is the one that best fits you, your child, your schedule, and your budget - and in your neighbourhood, day care or preschool may both be strong options.
Make a chart of their individual pros and cons. Ask yourself: Which teachers are warmer? Which classroom is more inviting? Which one offers more engaging activities? Where do the children seem happier? The more on-site investigating you do, the more likely you’ll find the perfect preschool (or will it be day care?) match for your munchkin - and you.
Source: What to Expect
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