If you’re a parent searching for the best child care option for your kid, you might wonder if there are real differences between day cares, preschools, and after-school care. What are the services these programs typically offer? Is one option better than the other?

Age is a big consideration. Looking at the types of child care broadly, day cares typically offer services to a larger age range than preschools. Depending on the specific center, day care programs may provide services to kids from infancy up to 5 years old—and often even older in the form of after-school programs. Preschools, on the other hand, typically cater to kids around 2 to 4 years old. Still, understanding your options when it comes to child care goes far beyond your child’s age. Let Crème de la Crème break down the similarities and differences between different care options.

Similarities Between Day Cares and Preschools

Image via Unsplash by notethanun using Unsplash License

Day cares and preschools have certain important similarities. In the United States, you typically won’t find legal differences between the two. That’s because child care programs, which are regulated at the state level, only differentiate between center-based and home-based programs. Whether a program is called a preschool or day care, it will generally need to meet early childhood education standards and follow the same laws and regulations covering:

• Nutrition.
• Requirements for record-keeping.
• Safety.
• Staff and director qualifications.
• Staff-to-child ratios.

All in all, day cares and preschools both give children a place to play, grow, and learn in the presence of supportive staff. Safety and each child’s well-being are top priorities. Day cares and preschools both support young children’s cognitive, emotional, and physical development, offering things like snacks, meals, outdoor play, and nap time. Because the standards for day care and preschool business are very similar, the programs’ unique names often reflect their mission, values, and philosophy. Learning the culture of the program you’re considering for your child can give you the best insight.

Day Care vs. Preschool: Dissecting the Differences

Though it’s not a hard and fast rule, the name of a program can help you understand how a given child care program emphasizes curriculum, methodology, education, and the age group it serves. Preschools, early education centers, and learning centers tend to focus on academic qualifications, targeting older toddlers and offering a formal curriculum. Day cares are usually play-based programs with less structure. A deeper dive into key differences between preschools and day cares can help you decide on a program that best meets your family’s needs:

Education and Structure

Both day cares and preschools provide education for young children. However, preschools are usually more academically focused. Day cares often provide fewer structured activities, emphasizing free play and spontaneous learning. Preschools generally work to prepare children for kindergarten by teaching skills in art, literacy, science, and more. Preschools also typically follow a set educational curriculum and methodology.

One commonality? Both types of child care programs will strive to teach kids important life skills and offer key socialization opportunities, emphasizing things like group play and conflict resolution as well as skills like dressing oneself.

Hours and Services Provided

Depending on the services and schedule your family needs, a particular program may provide a better fit, as scheduling and flexibility can vary between these types of child care. Day cares tend to give working parents a place to take their kids during the workday, offering more flexible services and longer hours. Because day care offer more routine care, these programs may offer more meals than preschools do. Day care may also provide things like diapering, while preschools may enroll older children and require potty training.

Almost always, preschools are based in a center. Conversely, you can find both center-based day cares and day cares based in homes. While preschools are generally larger overall, with more students attending, staff-to-child ratios at preschools still may be lower than in day care centers and offer increased individualized attention. Both day cares and preschools share their dedication to security and safety.

Operating hours are often a decisive component in parents’ decision-making when it comes to child care. Preschools usually follow schedules similar to schools for older children, with shorter hours and closures during inclement weather, holidays, and summers. Day cares focus on providing support for working families, so these programs usually have hours that accommodate parents getting their children after work. Day cares are usually available during the summer and even on the weekends. Flexible hours and a less structured environment allow day cares to meet families’ varying scheduling needs.

Ages Served

Generally speaking, day cares serve a larger age range than their preschool counterparts, although this varies with each program. Day care programs may serve infants through kids ages 5 years old and older, with many centers offering after-school programs for school-age kids. You can even find day cares that have services for kids as old as 12 years old. The wider age range means children can take part in between-age interactions.

Preschools generally serve a more limited age range. “Preschool” is typically defined as a school for kids between 3 and 5 years old, though some preschools start as early as 2 years old. Private preschools may also include kindergarten. Preschools may separate age groups more than day cares do, which allows attendees to take advantage of learning opportunities that are developmentally appropriate and in line with a set methodology and curriculum.

What About After-School Care?

Of course, parents may need child care that doesn’t quite fit into the typical day care or preschool structure. That’s where after-school care comes in. While day care programs may offer services that compare to the hours of after-school programs, you can also find after-school care that offers more structure and education. After-school programs can deliver a balance of fun, social activities, and additional instruction and homework support from teachers, all while accommodating the hours of working parents. After-school care contrasts with formal school days and gives kids another setting in which to learn and grow.

Choosing the right child care for your family is a personal decision that depends on your needs, schedule, and more. When you understand the differences between day care, preschool, and after-school care, you can make the best decision for your child. Ready to find the perfect fit for your kid? Contact us today to discover child care near you that helps your child flourish.