What is the difference between daycare and Pre-K?

Question

I was looking up local private schools, preparing myself for my daughter for when she turns 4.It was my understanding that Pre-K started at 4. Well, I got a phone call today and to my surprise, they start the kids at 3! So, I am crying now because I wasnt ready for this as my daughter is three now, so she will be eligible for pre-k in September. She is in daycare, which runs me $800 month as opposed to school, which will run about $600 month FULL TIME through 6 p.m. So, other than the difference in cost, what is the difference in care?

Sob... Sob.... Sob.....

Answer 1

usually pre-k has a curriculm that they follow.  

daycares usually just take care of the children.

Answer 2

Daycare is just taking care of your child and can start at any age. Pre-K or preschool usually starts at three and ends at kindergarten (usually five). If your daughter is advanced, she will be fine with only one year. I went for one (my fourth year) and my sister went for two (her third and fourth years). Just look at her and ask yourself "could she do well in school with just one year of preschool?" usually the answer is yes.

Answer 3

pre-k is aimed towards creating an educational environment. at daycare they are more focued on just watching your kids, they MAY do some activities but pre-k is aimed at getting your kids ready for kindergarten!

Answer 4

Traditionally, Pre-K is the year before kids start Kindergarten. Despite the misinformed folks who often answer the questions on this page, a good day care program offers everything a Pre-K does plus provides the extra meals, nap and playtime that comes with a full day program. If the program you are being offered in a school is on a school calendar you will still have to find child care for the days the school is closed. There are some very good preschool programs out there in everything from nursery schools to public schools to day care centers to Head Start to private schools. There are also some pretty terrible places to be found in all those kinds of program. Don't be enticed by the name. Ask your program what they offer, and ask the other program the same. Be very careful to avoid programs that are trying to push programs designed for four year old on threes. They can do a lot of harm and turn off kids from school. You know your child and know what is best for her.

Answer 5

the difference is $200.

and pre-K teaches then numbers and colors and sh*t. oh! plus they get a graduation!  :)

Answer 6

daycare just watches the kids and thye can play games and such... when pre-k teaches kids how to use scissors and hold pencils... atleast that's how it is here in new jersey!

Answer 7

As soon as children are potty trained and can communicate with you to tell you what goes on in their own way (and you can understand them) you should enroll them in a pre-k.

A lot of pre-k's accept children at 2.8 years of age (practically 3 years old). Child care providers, day cares, and those types of situations  I feel are basically "baby-sitters".  They may (or not) teach toddlers the basics (colors, animal sounds, letters, etc...) but mostly (that I have seen watching many, many children go through this type of environment) just have the toddlers play, snack, nap, play more, watch tv (my children are bigger now, but maybe they have some sort computer interactive things).

A pre-k does all of those things but also INCLUDES basic handwriting skills, basic number/math skills and prepares children for a school evnironment since the settings are usually designed to look like a kindergarden class.

Both of my children went through their early education through the Montesorri system and they allow the children to progress at their own rate without scorn (children aren't born making fun of anyone, so all the children basically treat each other the same).  My daughter was 3 reading at a 1.5 year grade level with mostly 6 year olds.  She was with the other 3 year olds for the writing skills and math.  by the time she was 5 she was reading at a 3.5 grade level with a 1st grade writing & kinder. math level (she is an AP student now in 11th grade).

Go for the pre-k. Find a Montesorri if you can (and can afford it). It will be the best thing - but please....don't push your child too hard...teach them to do their best and be happy with that if they have put in their BEST effort .

Answer 8

Well my experience is that most Daycare/Preschools offer some sort of curriculum for children ages 6 weeks to as old as 12 years.  Most staff is not certified with a teaching certificate, unless otherwise specified by the school.  Most children take naps and can stay for 10+ hours a day.  It tends to be less structured and in my experience less educational.  

An actual Preschool usually runs with an Elementary School in your local district.  They follow the state standards for preschool and have teachers who are certified in Early Childhood.  There is a curriculum that relates to the standards for education at the preschool level.  They often work closely with Elementary to make sure students are prepared when they enter Kindergarten.  This all is usually offered from ages 3-5, but as a half day session (3.5 hours) from 1-5 times a week depending upon parents/students.  Often they will be integrated classes with special education children and lower ratios as the result.

Answer 9

Pre-K is curriculum based, like the rest of the grades in school.  Daycare is simply babysitting.

Answer 10

Pre-K should be worth more because it's a school... they teach you stuff. Unless it is a public school, its free.

Daycare is just people who watch your kids and play games. They're not certified teachers.

And don't worry, hon, everything will be okay. I bet your daughter is beautiful and smart and that one year won't matter. Best of luck <3

Answer 11

a pre-k is normally an actual school. normally, day care is a persons house, they normally  don't learn as much in day-care as they do in pre-k. i would recommend pre-k

Answer 12

Maybe this site will help in your search

http://209.85.141.104/search?q=cache:QQZ...

Answer 13

day care is when your kid is not old enough 4 school and provide with care in the day so you can go to work pre k is actual school

Answer 14

Reread the answer from the EC Expert :-)  

I find that really a good daycare shouldn't be any less of an educational setting than a preschool/prek program.  The only difference is usually the preschool program is only for a few hours a day...and the day care part is the naps and afternoon "free play" schedule.  Depending on the day care/preschool... check it out...there may be differences in staffing qualifications.  Sometimes in the preK classroom you are going to find a certified teacher...but many daycares that provide "preschool" programs have lead teachers who may only have a CDA or eqivalent and not a teaching certificate.  So something else for you to check out.

I agree, traditionally preK programs are the year before Kindergarten but that's slowly changing to mean 3 and 4 yr old preschool.  Do you need to send your child at 3 to "preK"...not necessarily...that's a personal choice but I do recommend at least by 4.    

I'm surpised that it's cheaper for your daycare then for preschool...that's a plus for you.  Your child does NOT have to stay until 6P.  I bet if you asked them for more specifics..they'd tell you that the preschool program generally runs in the morning only.  

I'm not quite sure what the problem is?  She'll do fine and it's cheaper for you...and more educational for her....or maybe I'm misunderstanding what you are saying.

Answer 15

Day care - care for kids while you are away. Doesn't necessarily mean they eduacate kids in anything but how to get along.

Pre-K/Pre-school - educational-based for a few hours a day; usually for 2-3 hours a day instead of all day