Preschool or Daycare: How to Choose the Best for Your Infant, Toddler, Preschooler, and Pre Kindergartener Ages 0-5 Years Old
Choosing between full curriculum preschool and play based daycare is a critical decision that will impact your child for years to come.
The terms preschool, daycare, and childcare are often used interchangeably. They’re even spaced differently or hyphenated, such as “pre-school” and “day care.” Preschools and daycares provide starkly different childcare experiences. When choosing which is best for your family, consider the importance of your child’s development in math, writing, reading, and social skills, as well as budget. This decision will impact your little scholar’s readiness for kindergarten and elementary school.
With International Day of Education on January 24 and this year’s theme is “to invest in people, prioritize education.” We all have the right to learn and grow, and this is something that needs to be nurtured in the right environment. Learn about INIC Preschool’s admissions process here.
Preschool vs Daycare: What’s the Difference?
Decades of research proves that the sooner a child joins an educational environment, the better learners they become. Quality Preschools have a full curriculum that is taught by skilled teachers who receive ongoing training. Even babies should have detailed lesson plans, daily, targeting neuronal and motor development to meet early learning milestones. As they grow, classes should expand to instruct social intelligence, Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, Math (STEAM), and more. Quality curriculum uses interactive play and activities to convey the curriculum.
Daycares will have a full slate of play time with less structure. They often have a limited curriculum, or none at all. This is an option where kids will receive loving care in a safe environment while making friends. Staff will be loving and trained to take care of kids, but they often lack teaching skills. Although daycares are sometimes more budget-friendly than preschools in the short term, investing in a child’s education at a preschool is priceless.
Language Immersion Evidence: Supercharged Early Learning
It’s not just about learning a second language. New research from UT Austin proves very young children in a language immersion environment are better learners than kids in monolingual environments. The UT Austin study examined infants ages six to ten months old, showing babies in bilingual environments have better attention spans and are better learners. Further research shows bilingual children have higher math, reading, emotional, and analytical skills, and are better multi-taskers. Also, plenty of research debunks the myth that kids get confused by learning a second language. We recommend finding a preschool that teaches a second language.
Preschool or Daycare: Social Skills vs Sociable
In both settings, kids will make friends and play. The best preschools in Round Rock and Austin have curriculum that emphasizes the importance of social development. A good preschool is going to have specific, documented techniques to fix bad behavior in a way that the child understands and feels safe. Quality daycares should have documented procedures for dealing with problematic behavior, but they may not use modern methods to teach and prevent future recurrences.
Really, Curriculum for Babies?
During a tour, ask about the childcare center’s day-in and day-out plan for developing babies. You could even ask to see the curriculum. A great preschool will have lesson plans specifically designed for infants. In just a few weeks, you’ll notice a difference in the baby’s gross and fine motor skills, as well as her engagement with parents, family, and friends. You might even notice the difference between your baby and those enrolled at other childcare centers.
More Tips for Choosing a Preschool or Daycare
Touring is a Must
Before enrolling anywhere, tour the facility and see things for yourself. Your tour guide should be friendly, knowledgeable, and answer all your questions. Some providers offer a way to self-schedule a childcare tour online yourself – that’s a sign they’re using modern tools in everyday operations.
Communication & Transparency
During a tour, ask how the childcare center communicates with families on a daily basis. Some places still only use paper. The best facilities have high tech tools for parents that provide transparency and peace of mind, as well as accountability for the facility. Parent-teacher communication apps and live streaming cameras you can access to see your child’s classroom should be standard everywhere.
Referrals, Reviews & Online Presence
Recommendations from neighbors, friends, online communities, and beyond are wise ways to learn about the best services around you, including childcare. Most brands have reviews through sites like Yelp, Google, and Facebook.
Teachers & Training
The most important part of any childcare facility is the staff. Teachers should receive ongoing training throughout the year. Teachers should usually be upbeat with positive attitudes and respectfully answer your questions. From infant to preschool ages, alumni exceed elementary schools’ expectations and lead classrooms after graduating from our school readiness program.
Safety & Cleanliness
Finally, parents must think about a facility’s safety and security. What safety measures are implemented? What extra steps are being taken? There should be plentiful security cameras and auto-locking doors. Cleanliness should be considered, as well. Signs of quality include daily professional cleaning and partnerships with brands such as Dis.in.fx to provide water-based, non-toxic, antimicrobial treatments.
Play, Play, Play!
Playing is learning, and it’s the best way to make friends. Kids need a variety of spaces and environments for physical activity. Look for a childcare provider that has multiple indoor gymnasiums, as well as multiple outdoor play areas with quality equipment. After all, physical activity and interpersonal relationships are just as important to a young child's development as academic success.
About INIC Preschool Spanish Immersion Education & Childcare
Learn. Play. Make Friends. Founded in 2012, INIC Preschool is a Spanish immersion school with locations in Round Rock and South Austin. Educators here are upbeat and enjoy a positive teacher-led work environment with access to many benefits. INIC’s challenging curriculum accommodates the unique learning style of every child, from three-month-old infants up to school age. The classroom experience is intentionally low tech for kids, but parents and grandparents are delighted to check in on their little scholar with high-tech, easy-to-use tools: WatchMeGrow and Brightwheel. All classes and activities are taught in Spanish, every day.
INIC Preschool Round Rock proudly serves families in Pflugerville, North Austin, Cedar Park, Leander, Georgetown, Hutto, Taylor, and Liberty Hill. INIC Preschool South Austin has served these communities since 2012: South Austin, Circle C, Oak Hill, Buda, Kyle, Dripping Springs, Driftwood, Bee Cave Township, Westlake, Onion Creek, Manchaca, and more.
Round Rock, Texas: 2960 Jazz Street // rrAdmissions@inic-edu.com
South Austin, Texas: 2100 W. William Cannon Dr. // Admissions@inic-edu.com