What is the difference between Preschool and Daycare?

Answer 1

Well....I think really it depends on the age, and there is no clearcut answer to this, but daycare might be a baby of 6 months old, and preschool, a 3-4 yr old preparing for elementary school. One is more of a babysitting, and the other more of a preparation for school.

Answer 2

The classification of the 2 have really changed over the years.
In the past preschools were a place that a child between 2-5 years old attended for a part of the day for educational purposes.
A daycare used to refer to where you would leave your child 0-12 while you were unable to attend to their basic needs.
Today the terms are used among Early Childhood Educators interchangibly, but they do prefer childcare (they care for the child, not the day). Those that classify themselves as preschool have a specific time frame dedicated solely to education, like kindergarten prep. Most childcares, or daycares if you must, use a preschool model but incorporate it through our the day instead of just during a time frame.
Feel free to call the state and check with them about their guidelines and regulations, those that are classified as daycare, childcare, or child day programs, may have stricter guidelines and regulation than those classified as a preschool (often times done through churches in my area). The center's name does not always define the programs they offer or how they are classified by the state so again check with the state.
Ask both centers or establishments about their curriculum, if they are a quality place they will not shy away from the program and be more than happy to discuss it with you.
In my experience childcare providers (or daycares) are often put off by parents who question whether they are a preschool or a daycare. All of the advances that have been made and progression in childcare and early childhood education make it feel like an insult.
I'm sure if you do your homework on the places you will feel confident in both and whichever will satisfy your's and your child needs best.

Answer 3

It depends on the program that the daycare or preschool provides. In my area, preschool is a short program. Only a couple of hours a couple of days a week to help the child learn how to socialize with other children as well as learn their fundamentals for kindergarten. Daycare is when you need care for your child for a longer periods of time. This is not to say they are not handed worksheets and told stories etc.......... I am sure some children attend both.

Answer 4

Because a lot of day care centers talk about numbers and colors, it can be difficult to see the difference, but believe me, it's huge. Preschool Programs should be taught by certified Early Childhood teachers, who use various manipulatives and a structured, sequential learning plan to help young children develop skills needed for success in the upper grades. A true Preschool teacher can often diagnose learning strengths and difficulties and implement lessons geared to each child's strengths. They can often recognize learning problems early, and help parents get special support services for the children.
To an outsider, Preschool can look like just fun and games, but a good Preschool can make the difference between children who are successful in school and those who are not.

Answer 5

Baby Center

Preschool becomes a childcare option when a child begins to leave toddlerhood behind. In fact, that's one of the main differences between preschools and daycare centers: Preschool is for children ages two and a half or so to six; daycare centers are for infants and young toddlers (though many will keep your child until kindergarten).

Answer 6

Most daycare do not teach as much as a preschool. Preschool is like kindergarten...more learning going on. Daycare, they play more than learn although they learn through play...Depends on how you look at it.

Answer 7

Daycare is more just watching and playing. Home daycare providers care for children a the preschool age but it is "daycare".

Preschool prepares the little tikes for school and is much more structured and have guidlines set by each state.

Answer 8

Preschool supposedly prepares children for school & has a curriculum. Daycare is just babysitting.

Answer 9

Sometimes it depends on the age, as Pre-Schools will only accept children of a certain age and daycare will accept children at a much younger age. Also Pre-School focus more on getting children used to attending school, being taught different subjects, getting into a routine. Not all daycares provide educational facilities, as some of them simply entertain the children until the parents come to pick them up. Hope this helps.

Answer 10

preschool is ages 3 and 4 also known as pre k . daycare(nursery) is for small babies, toddlers, and school age children (before school/after school) programs. some schools offer preschool & daycare programs , age appropriet.