Preschool Vs Childcare Centre Based Program

[ConcernedParent]

Hi Everyone,

Can I get your thoughts opinions on preschool when it is delivered at a preschool vs childcare centre? Any information/experiences/feedback is appreciated?

[Cheekychops]

Nothing against child care workers themselves, but DS learnt 450 times more going to a proper state preschool than he did at childcare........ As much as they are trained in childcare, they don't have diplomas of educations or whatever and even though they do some activities etc, the purpose of childcare really is to babysit till mum and dad come back...... a few childcare centres may differ from this and try to put a bit more education into the play, but from my experience, all the centres I've been to have a good reason not to have any part of 'school' in their name.....

[Rhoxie]

I'll second that :)

A bach of education or grad in dip in Education (ie a uni degree) is completely different to a childcare diploma ( I started the latter but didn't like it so I'm now doing the grad dip at uni)

I will always choose the pre-school or kindy with a qualified teacher over a day care with a 'teacher' with the childcare diploma

[browniebear]

Not only that, but at a proper kindy/pre-school, they are only mixing with children of that particular age group, whereas at a childcare centre, they are mixing with a variety of different aged children. I think too because of htis it is a better prep for 'big school' because they are starting to form real peer groups, very handy if your kindy/pre-school feeds into a primary school.

[Belinda1000]

what hours are preschool? what age can kids start?is it cheaper than day care?

[Roxy]

some child care centres will employ a preschool-trained teacher as the leader of their prechool room, too though.

That said, I'd suggest that you visit both the preschool you are looking at and the day care centre and take a look at theor programs and curiculum. You will be able to pick the program that is geared towards school readiness. If things are as they are meant to be, there should be very little difference in either program.

I only suggest this, as DD is in a day care centre with a full qualified preschool teacher, but I took her out of day care 2 days per week and placed her in the actual preschool attached to the primary school that she will be attending. My reasons? After taking a look at both programs (and having some inside knowledge due to being child care trained myself), I could see that the daycare program was just that - a day care program. The preschool program was all about school readiness, and follows a similar curiculm line that the primary school does.

There are no real hard and fast rules, I found....it just so much depends on the quaility and committment of the teacher/carer. A child care trained carer can provide just as good a school-readiness program as a teacher.

Good luck with your decision. oh - and preschool hours vary from state to state, but are no longer than about 6hrs a day...

[littlepumpkin]

There are good and bad of both you will need to look at both of them and compare them. I have worked in the child care industry for 10 years and have also been a nanny and had to choose a childcare or preschool for the children that i cared for to attend.

The two biggest difference that I usually find is that -

-Pre-schools are usually open for 9am -3pm (this can differ), which can mean that the children aren't as tired (as they haven't been there since 7am)

and

-Preschools usually organise children to come on speciffic days eg. mon, tues, wed (three days a week) or wed (one day a week-often 3 year olds) or thurs, fri (two days a week). :thumbsup: I found this to be better as the same children were there on both days that the child (who i nannied) attended. He was then able to make closer friendships with these children. Where in childcare centres children usually attend the days they their parents need them to. When the child (who i nannied) attended a childcare his best friend only came on one day that he did and he missed him for the other (was a bit lost:gloomy: )


As much as they are trained in childcare, they don't have diplomas of educations or whatever and even though they do some activities etc, the purpose of childcare really is to babysit till mum and dad come back......

You will find that both preschools and long day care centres are reqiured to by law to have the same number of qualified staff. If the service has over 29 children enrolled they are required to have a university trainned teacher but under 29 they are only required to have a Diploma (tafe) trainned carer.So not all preschools will have university trainned teachers.

Just because a child carer is teacher trainned does not nessesarly mean that they are a good child care worker or mean that they are better than tafe trained or untrained carers. I have seen and worked with many useless teachers (and great teachers). A lot comes down to natural ablility to work with children, how carers interacted with children, their interest in children and how to get out there and have fun.


a few childcare centres may differ from this and try to put a bit more education into the play, but from my experience, all the centres I've been to have a good reason not to have any part of 'school' in their name.....

All GOOD childcare centres and preschools will provide a program which is based on your individual needs and interests as well as the children as a group. They are required by DOCS to provide this type of program.

If it is a good child care their program should be just as good as a pre school program.

:) Good luck in choosing the right child care or pre school for your child:)

[H&B'sMum]

Nothing against child care workers themselves, but DS learnt 450 times more going to a proper state preschool than he did at childcare........ As much as they are trained in childcare, they don't have diplomas of educations or whatever and even though they do some activities etc, the purpose of childcare really is to babysit till mum and dad come back...... a few childcare centres may differ from this and try to put a bit more education into the play, but from my experience, all the centres I've been to have a good reason not to have any part of 'school' in their name.....


I'm a UNI degree trained Early Childhood Teacher working in a long day care centre and I'm sorry but I take great offense to your post. I am NOT a babysitter. I teach the children in my care literacy, numeracy, respect, manners, and many many other things.

GOOD child care centres will have pre-school programs in place for all their 3-5 year old. You can ask specifics about their program. Such as how do they include literacy and numeracy skills into the activities provided.

GOOD early childhood teachers able to pick up on any developmental issues that may occure and will now the appropriate people to refer the parent and child too. This early intervention can help a child sooo much and the teachers at the centre will be able to support and encourage the child.

In my centre we are starting a transition to school program next week where we work 1:1 with each child about going to school next year. This not only includes knowing their ABC, which I have already taught them, but about their fears, questions and hopes for big school. We also teach them about gaining confidence in their own abilities, looking after their own belongings (ie putting their things away in their own bags ) and of course socialising appropriatly.

You can ask your centre about how they prepare their children for big school and all GOOD centres should have a program in place.

Long day care centres are wonderful places for children to socialise, develop a love of learning, play and above all have fun. Children learn through play. It's how they grasp concepts, the world around them and develop new and exciting skills.

I'm proud to be an Early Childhood teacher and I am certainly NOT a babysitters waiting for mum and dad to come back and if that's what you think of day centre staff then you honestly have no idea what it takes to do our job.

[MissBrightside]

I was thinking of what I should do for my DS1 (daycare or kinder). I decided to send him to kinder but he will also be going to daycare due to me needing to work.
The childcare centre he attends has a quailified kinder teacher in the room and they have a kinder program. I know of a few kids he attends childcare with will be doing the kinder program there.
The reason I am choosing to send my DS1 to a kinder is he will more likely be going to school with the kids he attends kinder with and I feel there is a bit more structure to the actual program as they are 3 hour sessions, whereas at childcare he spends 6 hours there. So I wanted him to have a regular kinder experience.
I have heard different things about kinders vs. childcare programs. An ex kindy teacher told me she didn't think there was much difference. A kinder teacher in a childcare centre told me they are better off at a kindergarten, especially if they have been in childcare for a few years already.
My sister -in-law is a prep teacher and she told me that as a teacher she can notice the difference in kinder kids and childcare kids.
So i also thought about these things when i decided to enrol him at kinder.

[B-belle]

Nothing against child care workers themselves, but DS learnt 450 times more going to a proper state preschool than he did at childcare........ As much as they are trained in childcare, they don't have diplomas of educations or whatever and even though they do some activities etc, the purpose of childcare really is to babysit till mum and dad come back...... a few childcare centres may differ from this and try to put a bit more education into the play, but from my experience, all the centres I've been to have a good reason not to have any part of 'school' in their name.....

Im doing my diploma in children's services now and I can tell you alot more work goes into it then "babysitting"
I know that there are some horrible childcare workers out there...that can make the industry look really bad. Alot of the workers in childcare are working in positions they are not qualified to be working in.
There is so much that goes into the diploma, my teacher has a masters in early childhood...I dont think we are being taught how to babysit!
I dont think it matters if its childcare or preschool...just check the qualifications of the staff!

[nemosmum]

Well said Harry'smum!!!

Its obvious that the first couple of posters really dont know too much about Child care centres and what they are in place for!

Im an EC teacher (uni trained with a degree in education) my centre actually employs 6 EC teachers, yes its a large centre (56 places) BUT it also provides a really GREAT prep for school program.
Most preschools only have one or two EC teachers, plus my centre has a Special educator on hand three days a week to assist children with additional needs.

Often parents choose child care centres over pre schools because they work longer then 9am-3pm (which is preschool hours) BUT they still desire a prep for school program for their kids.

PLUS pre schools only operate during school terms and alot of parents dont have flexible jobs as such so cant take 3mths of work to cater for the school terms etc

One other thing that is different in many cases is the philosophies behind pre schools compared to child care centres.

Pre schools tend to be (in general) more structured where ccc's are more open to exploring childrens own interests and are more about hands on learning (this is just a generalisation of course)

Both ccc's and preschools do a fabulous job of preparing children for school it just depends on what kind of approach meets your needs.

Hope this has helped the original poster.

[SmileyBJ]

Hey,

I'm a childcare worker, and by law all group leaders for any age group MUST have a dimploma and the majority of pre-school rooms in a childcare will have a qualified teacher. After saying that though, I do agree that unfortunately many childcare workers out their believe that it is basically care until mum and dad come back. (This is disapointing! We are not all like this...) :no:

Educational activities are planned although with the number of children in the room, doesnt allow for individual development and learning needs. Generally I would think a pre-school may be better off, as they cater specifically for that age group and have greater resources (age appropriate & variety ect)

Hope this helps :)

[nemosmum]

Hey,

I do agree that unfortunately many childcare workers out their believe that it is basically care until mum and dad come back. (This is disapointing! We are not all like this...) :no:

Educational activities are planned although with the number of children in the room, doesnt allow for individual development and learning needs. Generally I would think a pre-school may be better off, as they cater specifically for that age group and have greater resources (age appropriate & variety ect)

Hope this helps :)

I have worked in the child care profession for about 10 years and have only met maybe one or two people (carer's) who think its only babysitting!
Ive worked with so many wonderful professionals that believe in what they are doing and that their programs have a strong educational base!

I also have to disagree about meeting childrens individual needs (although this depends alot on the centre) I work with the preschoolers (26 kids and 4 full time staff and one part timer, 2 of the staff are EC teachers........we seperate the kids going to school which means part of the day i have about 10-13 kids and another teacher with me.
Our kids get heaps of one on one attention and all their needs are met.

However these ratios are sadly not the norm as our wonderful :rolleyes: government thinks these ratios are better :

Babies (0-2yrs) 5 babies to one carer
Toddlers (2-3yrs ) 8 toddlers to one carer
preschoolers (3-5yrs) 10 preschoolers to one carer

Total craziness if you ask me:banghead:

BUT until parents and child care professionals start demanding BETTER care for their kids nothing will change...............it'll probably get worse (god forbid)

[tanoshii]

I'm wondering what other parents think about the fact that it is precisely because kindergarten is more "like" school that you may not choose it. Thinking about how many years my son will have in the education system, I'm siding more on keeping him in his daycare centre which has a "free-play' philosophy because after all won't he have enough time being "schooled" as it is? Of coures I want him to be learning but isn't that what play is?
Thoughts?

[nemosmum]

Or you could do what Ive done and found a Preschool which has a philosophy based on play

Im on maternity leave atm so I dont need child care for my son so I choose to look around for a great Preschool, Im lucky I found one quickly!

I find though that its alot more $ to have your child at a preschool as their is no CCB and no subsidies
BUT the preschool my son attends has all qualified teachers so Im happy to pay extra


BUT I do agree our kids are in for endless years of schooling so no rush imo
Kids can learn alot at home too:thumbsup:

[nickalex]

Depends on the childcare centre I think. When my children first started daycare we chose unwisely and ended up with a long day babysitting service. Unfortunately they do exist and this place basically encouraged the kids to do as much on their own as possible whilst the carers sat around and talked. If not for an absolutely brilliant junior carer who I loved to death my kids would have been out of there quicksmart. As it was we started looking around as soon as my son hit 3 and we felt he needed a more constructive program.
My kids now go to an SDN learning centre and I absolutely love it! It's like the old fashioned preschools that existed when I was a kid. Brilliant outdoor play areas and creative indoor areas. All carers are university trained and take a personal interest in each of the childrens development.
Georgia is in the younger kids room and it is fairly informal and more like an enjoyable day out with friends for her. There is routine and the kids are encoraged to model certain behaviours but it is not a formal learning environment.
Declan is in the big kids room which is split into 2 groups. Kids who have just moved up and just starting the more formal environment and then kids whose focus is school readiness. They have a formal "meeting" at the beginning of the day where the children decide a loose theme for what will be discussed and explored that day. Each child has the opportunity to speak and have their interests explored. They have short group times with music,dance, books etc are explored. The rest of the time it is up to the teachers to find opportunities for learning by following the childrens lead. Stations are set up with activities and the children are permited to choose how they wish to participate.
Mind you I live in the country and this is an intimate daycare with small numbers. I think numbers play a huge part in how well the kids will get on with their learning.