3 Preschool and Daycare Differences to Consider

There are several differences between preschools and daycare. It’s important to figure out these differences in advance so that you know what to expect. Some of the differences include age. In 2017, the percentage of children in preschool programs was higher for five-year-olds, 86%, than for four-year-olds, 68%. Here are some preschool and daycare differences.

Daycare vs. Preschool Hours

When it comes to preschool and daycare differences, time is an important factor. Generally, preschools tend to have shorter daily hours. Apart from that, the majority of them also close on holidays, weeklong breaks, and for the summer. When you enroll your child in a preschool program, you will need to choose between half-day and full-day programs. It’s also important to enroll your child for at least two days per week to ensure they are getting the best educational and social exposure they need.

On the other hand, daycare centers are a lot more flexible when it comes to hours. Most of them usually open earlier and close later so they can cater to working parents. Additionally, they are more likely to be open all year round. There are some daycare centers that enable you to totally personalize your child’s schedule. For instance, you can drop your child off for an hour at a daycare, so you can then run some errands. You can also leave your child at a daycare center for an entire day while you work.

Age Requirements

Daycare centers accept infants and up to grade-schoolers. This means your child may have to socialize with bigger kids or be around babies. This can be a huge advantage if your kid is going to have a younger brother or sister soon. However, this also means that caregivers may be more preoccupied with younger babies. Preschools, on the other hand, accept children around the ages of three to five, and these children are usually grouped according to age. They can, however, mingle by the swings and slides at the playground.

Teachers and Caregivers

The majority of preschool programs are more education-oriented. This means that there is likely to be a curriculum or some approach to teaching. This is why most states have higher education standards for preschool teachers compared to what is required for daycare centers.

These are just some of the preschool and daycare differences to consider when it comes to choosing where to bring your child. It’s important to figure out these differences before you decide where to send your child. With an understanding of preschool and daycare differences, you can easily figure out where to send your child and why.