11 September 2020
 Categories: , Blog

If you have been researching different types of child care that your kid could be enrolled in, then you have probably come across more options than you ever knew existed. From at-home child care to private child care and preschool, there are many options and it can be confusing sifting through the differences. However, preschool is perhaps the most different compared to the rest of the different types of child care, while also being arguably the best way for children to transition into regular primary school. Here are some of the main differences between preschool and other types of child care and why they matter.

Focus On Routine Rather Than Educational Excellence

While your child will certainly be learning more in a preschool than they would in regular daycare, the focus is more on getting them into the routine of school, rather than exhaustive academic work. This means events like recess and lunch also happen at most preschools, just with far more breaks and opportunities for the children to unwind. Getting your children into this routine can be very helpful for them as they transition from mostly being at home to going to school 5 days a week. The jump from regular child care to school can be very daunting, but it is less harsh when preschool is part of the plan.

Socialisation In A Learning Environment 

While any type of child care will teach your kid the importance of socialisation and working in a group, preschool is different because it places that socialisation in a learning environment. This means that the children learn how to behave more appropriately and know when they can have fun and when to pay attention and buckle down. Socialisation is very important for any children, but many other types of child care don't place enough of an importance on introducing the learning environment as well, which is a key component in their upcoming academic journey. 

Choose Your Pace

The great thing about preschool is that you can choose exactly how much your child should be going to it, allowing you to effectively ease them into schooling. If you wait until they are of school age, then they will be forced to pretty much go to school like every other child, with very little lenience offered by most primary schools. If your child struggles at the start, then you only need to send them in for one or two days a week, or maybe only a couple hours a day. Every child is different, so it is important that you start this journey as soon as you can. 

For more information, reach out to some local preschools.