Difference Between Preschool and Childcare

1. Difference between Preschool and Childcare A daycare center or school is a place where working or busy parents leave their kids to be taken care of by babysitters or caregivers. The parents leave the children for specific hours like till the parents working in the office or some parents leave kids after their regular school gets over. The daycare center supervises or looks after the children while the parents are at the workplace. Preschool is an educational institute that offers initial childhood education programs to children aged-group 3 to 6 years who are not yet grown enough to start a foundation or primary school. Professionally qualified and trained teachers teach children through activity-based, playful methods. Daycare centers with highly qualified professionals and exciting activities and games can provide children with benefits similar to a good preschool. Is Preschool Education Necessary? Many subject matter experts believe that preschool education is a must for the overall development of children before joining the school and is necessary to the academic success of a child. Remember, preschool should not look at as an educational institute where the children may gain academic mastery. It is a place where children get involves with other children that help in the comprehensive emotional, social, mental and personal development of the child. Also, preschool education help in various manner like in the form of the basis of writing, speaking and learning. When Can Your Children Start Preschool? The decision totally lies with the parents depending on when they feel that their children are ready to explore on their own or if the parents feel they are ready to let the kid be away from the same. Many preschools enroll kids as young as two and a half years while others accept only when the kid turns three. Kids can be enrolled for either part-time or for a full-time program. How to Select a Preschool? Playschool affects the overall development of a child and can be far-reaching. There is the immense value of preschool education in children's life. The parents have to be more careful while selecting the preschool or any daycare center for their children as it builds the base for a child. Moreover, it is the first time that their kid will be away from them and the comfort zone of the house. Therefore, preschool should feel like a second home away from home where the kid can feel relaxed and happy. Some considerations that may be kept in mind while selecting a preschool are as follows: Step 1: Choose a Location and Schedule Parents have to decide how much their children are ready to stay away from their parents depending on their temperament, readiness, and age of the child. According to their readiness for the programs, the parents can opt for part-time or full-time courses. The part-time course consists of either 2-3 days in a week or half-day. On another side, a full-time course consists of the whole week excluding Sunday or in some cases Saturday as well with full time from morning to evening. Moreover, parents may like to select a preschool that is nearer to their place of residence or working place for convenience and to reduce the traveling time for the kid.

2. Step 2: Verify the License It is important to check the license of a preschool. It should have a valid license by a recognized authority certifying that the preschool meets all the regular and approved standards of teaching, curriculum, safety regulations, healthcare and cleanliness standards, and child care amenities. Step 3: Check Credentials of the Teaching Staff It is essential to check the educational qualifications of the teaching staff employed by the preschool. Qualified and trained professionals with considerable experience in managing such young children will be able to teach efficiently and beneficially. Step 4: Enquire About Curriculum Keep in mind to ask about the kind of activities and facilities that the preschool has to offer to its students. Parents may also like to inquire about the teaching methods adopted by the teachers and the student-teacher ratio per class. If the ratio is less, your child is likely to benefit more from the individual attention that the teacher will be able to provide him. An excellent curriculum comprises varied age-appropriate activities and teaching methods. Step 5: Feedback and Scheduled Visits It is advisable to ask about the number of parent-teacher meetings the preschool schedules for the benefit of the parents and the channels of feedback and communication the school has established to help parents check the progress of their kids. Many preschools organize open houses wherein parents can observe the teachers teaching a class, the functioning of the school, and gauge the general feel and atmosphere of the preschool. Kids from the future of every society. Parents by providing good preschool education to their child can do a great service not only to the child but also to the society at large. Preschool education can provide an edge to the kids due to which they are more likely to perform academically well and enjoy school life. Set up in 2005, Floretz Academy is one of the best and oldest Montessori Schools in South East Bangalore. Floretz has 2 Schools – one in HSR Layout and the other in Kasavanahalli, off Sarjapur Road. Both the schools are registered with the Government of Karnataka and are accredited and recognized by the Indian Montessori Centre. The School offers Montessori education, also online Montessori program for children from the age group of 2-6 years and post-school care and Daycare center for children from the age group of 2- 12 years. There are various programs after school including IOTA Accelerated Math Program (1st to 8th Standards), Music (Carnatic vocals), Dance (Bharatanatyam, Odissi, and Contemporary), Art & Craft, and Karate classes. The school follows the Montessori Method and all teachers are Montessori Trained and Certified. Students graduating from Floretz get direct admission to Smrti Academy, a School in Huskur, off Sarjapur Road, Bangalore.