Child Care vs Preschool

**raelene** · 02-03-2007 21:53

Hi

I was wondering if someone could give me some advice. I am a single working mum whose little boy is almost three years old and I am considering enrolling him in three year old preschool next year. This is not an issue but if I wish to then enrol him in four year old preschool he will either have to do that and go to child care (which is concern due to finances and the fact that at this point he is not used to being away from me) or he can do a preschool program at a child care centre close to my work. Preschool in Victoria is a few hours three days a week so it clashes with my working hours. He is currently being cared for by relatives when I am at work but that is only for this year.

Has anyone had their children do a preschool program at a child care centre?? I have been to four preschools and one child care centre and so far I can't see much difference in the programs, the only negative side I can see is that he will form better friendships at preschool than child care as the same kids will be there all the time. I's appreciate any advice.

**Mrs Potts** · 03-03-2007 07:56

DS only went to long daycare, and did their preschool program. It certainly made no difference to him academically as he was reading and writing before he started Kindy (first year of Primary here).

He's now in grade 1 and is 10 reader levels above his 2nd grade classmates. So I really think either will be fine. How much your child learns will depend solely on your child.

Regarding the friends, I don't feel this makes much difference. DS was the only child in his Kindy class who didn't go to the local preschool but still managed to make friends and settle in quickly.

**FourAngelKisses** · 03-03-2007 08:27

My kids went to long daycare and their preschool program was fantastic.
It only cost me $32 a day to send them both there for 10hrs, compared to $86 a day to send them to preschool for half the time.

As for the friendship thing, the same kids were there each week, so they formed great friendships, but none of those kids ended up going to the same school as my kids. But they soon formed new friends once at school.

**musicalmummy** · 05-03-2007 08:58

hi
i worked as a director in a long day care centre. the amount of parents who sent their child to "real preschool" shocked me. all long day care centres by law require a trained and fully qualified teacher. my centre actually has 3. the preschool program is exactly the same. the differences really are...price(LDC can be cheaper than preschool cos you get the government rebate), the hurs are longer which can be of benefit to you, and some provide measl where preschools don;t . if you are worried about self help skills it's ok as most teachers request you to bring a packed lunch in the last few weeks so the child gets used to caring fo rtheir own belongings and unpacking a lunch box before they start "big school"

**raelene** · 08-03-2007 20:23

Thank you all for your comments. I feel partly relieved now. Preschool is cheaper in Vic then LDC. Preschool with rebate is about $10 week with Pension Card or $20 without for about 10 hours. 1 day of LDC is about $70, with rebate on Pension about $40 per day. It is reassuring to know the LDC provides this type of Preschool program. Is this generally run all the time though? I'm concerned if my son is in LDC for two days a week that he might miss part or all of the kinder program.

Thanks

**Dans** · 08-03-2007 20:45

Hi Raelene,

My son is in the 3 y.o. kinder room at his childcare centre and although they do run a kinder program I guess they stretch the day out more so that a sessional kinder. My son isn't actually 3 yet but is loving the kinder room and as he goes 2 days a week he gets to see and bond with the same kids every week.

I do plan on sending him to a 4 y.o. sessional kinder though only because I feel like I can experience the kinder experience more with him than I would at childcare. ie. meet other parents & develop the friendships that my son makes outside of kinder (play dates etc) so that he wont head off to school not really knowing anyone.

From my experience as a school teacher, I think there are no developmental benefits either way by the time a child arrives at school as to whether they attend childcare or kinder.

I guess the most important thing is considering where you plan on sending your child to school and whether it is possible to attend a kinder close to that school so that they could head to school knowing someone.

Good luck!!

**raelene** · 10-03-2007 21:28

Thanks Dans

Unfortunately due to me being a single working mum, my son more than likely won't go to a kinder or day care centre near a school he will attend. All these decisions are based around who can pick him up an drive him to these places.

I appreciate your comments though "I think there are no developmental benefits either way by the time a child arrives at school as to whether they attend childcare or kinder."

That means alot to me as that is what I am concerned about the most.

Thank you