Differences Between Daycare and Preschool
Choosing the Right Early Childhood Program for Your Family's Needs
May 15, 2009
The terms "Preschool" and "Childcare" are often used interchangeably, but there are significant differences between the two types of programs and those differences should be understood prior to visiting these facilities in your search for childcare and early childhood education for your toddler or infant.
The Mission of Childcare Facilities
The primary purpose of a childcare facility is to provide a safe, supervised, long-term, daily care for a child while the child's parents are working or unable to assume child care responsibilities. Typical childcare facilities may or may not follow a learning curriculum for the children in its care, as learning is not the primary function. Your child will spend a majority of his day in self-directed play activities that will be monitored by the staff with little intervention beyond conflict resolution.
Hiring standards for most childcare facilities meet state requirements, but often these standards only require the employee to have a high school diploma or GED, pass a criminal background check, and take a pass a state exam on basic childcare. Compensation is commensurate with educational background and experience. Turnover is often high in these locations due to poor compensation and the stress experienced when working with larger groups of children for long periods of time. The cost of attending this type of program is often comparatively lower than a preschool due a lower standard of acceptable applicants.
How Preschools Differ from Daycare
The primary function of a preschool is the education of its charges. Due to the ages of the children enrolled in the various programs, most preschools are required to meet state childcare standards, although some preschools may not fall under state regulation. Most dedicated preschools only run part-time or partial day programs. Preschools should follow a curriculum that has standards and measurable cognitive and developmental outcomes.
Quality preschools will require teachers to have a minimum of a bachelor's degree, achieve their state teaching certificate in Early Childhood Education, have a continuing education requirement, and several years of teaching experience. Classes in quality preschools are often smaller and teacher compensation more closely resembles that of a private school teacher, so turnover is often lower than what is experienced in childcare facilities. The cost of attending a quality preschool is substantially higher than a childcare focused facility because the higher compensation and smaller class sizes.
Combining Preschools With Daycare Programs
Many preschools will offer extended, or wrap-around, care to accommodate families with dual incomes. Facilities which offer this type of service are the most prevalent and these facilities are staffed by a mix of professionals and non-professionals. Preschools in this category are required to meet all state licensing requirements for childcare facilities, unless they meet certain exemption requirements.
Educational aspects programs fun in these facilities are led by more qualified and experienced teachers while non-educational aspects of the program such as snack time, recess, and any after-hours time, are staffed by non-professionals. This staffing mix allows these preschools to enroll more students at each age level which, in turn, reduces the cost of program for families. Turnover among the staff falls along the professional/non-professional lines. That is, non-professionals who receive lower compensation are more likely to leave the school than their higher paid, more educated colleagues.
Selecting a childcare facility or preschool program for your child is a very personal decision what requires careful thought and evaluation. While facilities that have received national accreditation by organizations such as the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) follow more stringent educational standards, there are many preschools who are not nationally accredited that have even higher learning standards. Understanding the key differences in programs that are available to you in your area will enable you to make a better, more informed decision that will be right for your child and your family's unique circumstances.
For more information on toddler issues, see End Infant and Toddler Drowning Accidents, Toddler Teaching Strategies, and Potty Train Your Child in One Day.
