What is the difference between child care and pre-k?

Question

What is the difference between child care and pre-k?

Answer 1

I good day care offers a good educational program ,just as good as pre- k ,their are some child care program is just what it is caring for your child,playing ,interacting with other children ,some teaching ,.some child care programs are better than pre- K ,you just have to visit  and sit in on some of the programs

Answer 2

pre-k is typically an early child development pogram. child care is more of a babysitter that plays games all day long.

Answer 3

We offer both at my Daycare. Quality child care in a learning environment. In my Pre-k program we offer lots of educational activities for the children we even have a graduation in the spring.

Answer 4

I'll choose not to take offense with the answer that preK is where they learn abc's etc where child care is where they have fun and are taken care of.  :-)  I run a child care and yes, the children are taken care of and they are having fun but a LOT of learning is taking place.

In a quality child care program you would not see any differences between preschool and child care.  Usually PreK is the term used for older fours or young fives.

Answer 5

I think this is going to be a matter of semantics.  Pre-k usually means children in a (child care facility) that are about to enter kindergarten.  Often times pre-k children are those who just barely miss the age cut-off or whose parents elect to wait another year.  I see "child care" as being the broad range of ages and facilities at which children are cared for. Distinctions in facilities are usually by age,certification and methodologies. For example: A infant toddler,parent/child cooperative, using Brazelton methodologies.I see this as a general term (child care) that could apply to lots of ages.......while pre-k is specific to 4-6 years old. I hope this helps.

Answer 6

Traditionally, prekindergarten has been viewed as an educational experience while child care has been perceived as caregiving to enable parents to work. Yet, a good child-care program can look just like a prekindergarten class, with experienced, well-educated teachers promoting children's cognitive and social development. A state-funded prekindergarten program can set standards and provide the necessary resources to ensure that every class it funds - whether in a public or private setting, part-day or full-day - offers a high-quality learning environment that prepares children for school. Many state prekindergarten programs are delivered through child care programs.

Answer 7

one is free

Answer 8

in pre-k u learn small stuff such as the alphabet. it is preparing the child for kindergarten. child care is just where the child can have fun and be taken care of.