9 minute read
Preschool & Daycare
PRESCHOOL VS. CHILDCARE
What is the Best Option for Your Family?
Written by Ginger Ashby, Principal of Thelma B. Johnson Early Learning Center
Research is clear that students who can attend a high-quality program are more prepared for kindergarten. Finding the best option for your child takes time and research. Children gain a lot from attending preschool. Preschool provides exposure pre-academics like numbers, letters and shapes. But, most important, children learn how to socialize, get along with others, share, take turns and contribute to a group conversation. Every child should have some type of group experience before entering kindergarten. Gymnastics, dance, sports are great, but what preschool does that is not taught in those mentioned is teach kids how to be students. Your child needs to learn how to line up, travel in the hallway, raise his/ her hand, take a turn, and share an adult’s attention. What’s more is the student learns they can be successful upon separation from their parent or caregiver. The importance of giving kids some form of quality; early childhood education is so recognized that 39 states now have state funded preschool programs.
When it comes to preschool vs. childcare, every family has unique needs that they need to be addressed for the benefit of their child. Every child is unique and so is their development. Children’s programs are not one size fits all. In the first five years of life, the brain is constantly growing and developing; children are learning new things all the time. In fact, this is the time of a person’s life when the brain develops the most, which is why positive experiences are so important. These formative years are critical for every individual child meeting the milestones that they need to prosper. Parents know their children the best, and they know what their children need in order to thrive. It is up to the program, whether it be childcare or preschool, to provide just that. The words “preschool” and “daycare” or “childcare” may be used interchangeably among parents, but this is actually incorrect. While both offer great advantages to children, it is important to understand the difference between preschool vs. childcare in order to make a choice that best suits the needs of your child. One of the most notable differences in the ages of the kids that attend either program. Childcare programs typically accept children in the age range of about 6 weeks and older, while preschool is typically for children ages 2-5 years of age. In a preschool program, learning preacademic skills is the main objective, with the program focusing on the educational needs of the children in order to prepare them for development in the years that follow.
For the most part, childcare is about providing services to parents when they need it most — during the working hours of the day. It focuses much more on games and free play than a preschool does. Babies, toddlers, and children have a safe and secure place to go where they will receive daily necessities such as feeding, napping, and activities. Although people may not think kids are learning at childcare, they in fact are.
Every child deserves the best possible care, so it is expected that parents will have questions when they are considering preschool vs. childcare. Parents can rest assured that licensing is required for both preschool and childcare, so their children are being as well taken care of as possible no matter which program they choose. Staff are trained and qualified in order to deal with all the different situations that arise, and as any adult who has ever been in the presence of kids knows, no two days are alike!
1. Is the facility clean and safe? 2. The classroom should have a variety of activities and play materials (reading area, art space, block corner, puzzle area, dramatic play and items on shelves at student level) 3. Students should be doing different things 4. Play—children should be learning through the planning and materials they have. • Cognitive skills (math and problem solving in a pretend donut shop) • Physical Abilities (balancing blocks and running on playground) • New vocabulary (like the words they need to make Leprechaun Stew) • Social skills (playing together in a pretend flower shop) • Literacy skills (Like creating a menu for a pretend restaurant) • Play is simple and complex (symbolic, socio-dramatic, functional, and games with rules)
Kentucky All STARS is Kentucky's expanded five-star quality rating and improvement system for type I, type II and certified family childcare homes.
A childcare provider's KY All STARS rating can be viewed in the Public Child Care Search. Additional details such as physical address, ages served, CCAP acceptance and inspection/monitoring reports can be viewed.
The Public ChildCare Search, lists only providers certified or licensed through the Division of Child Care. You can also view inspection reports, hours of operation and Kentucky All STARS level.
Preschool provides opportunities for children to learn in ways that interest them, building a positive association with learning. The best preschool helps children develop a drive to learn that they will take with them throughout their time in school.
Thelma B. Johnson Early Learning Center will begin early registration March 23, 2022. We accept 3- and 4-year-old students based on income, need for specialized services, and on a tuition basis. Students must turn 3 or 4 years of age by August 1, 2022 to register for the 2022-2023 year. You may contact us at 270-854-0140 M- F from 7:30 to 3:30 for more information. HF
Preschool & Daycares in Henderson
FIRST KIDS PRESCHOOL
270-826-2332 Ages 1 - 5
HOLY NAME OF JESUS CATHOLIC SCHOOL
www.holynameschool.org 270-827-3425 Ages 2.5 - 5
PIDDER PADDER PRESCHOOL & CHILD LEARNING CENTER
270-827-5437 Ages infant - 5
KIDS TIME PRESCHOOL & CHILDCARE
KIDZ WORLD CHILDCARE, INC.
THELMA B. JOHNSON EARLY LEARNING CENTER
GRADY’S PLACE DAYCARE
270-831-1050 Ages infant - school age
BUSY BEES EDUCARE
270-827-0923 Ages infant - school age
The 5 biggest benefits of SENDING YOUR CHILD TO PRESCHOOL
SOCIALIZATION
Sending children to school gets them out of the house socializing with others. It also exposes them to children of various ages and backgrounds. Finding a friend is really important for children, and this can be hard to do in a home setting or when playdates are always arranged by the parents. Preschool offers children an opportunity to meet others and pick friends on their own. Preschool helps children develop exploration and conflict resolution skills in a safe setting.
PREPARATION FOR KINDERGARTEN
Learning at an early age sets a foundation for learning for an entire lifetime. Preschool teachers follow a curriculum that is designed to help children progress through learning and to make sure they have a strong knowledge base to start kindergarten. By giving children a way to ease into formal schooling, they will likely feel more comfortable in a school setting and develop positive associations with school and learning. Studies show that students who attend preschool demonstrate higher overall school readiness. They also learn how to behave in a classroom setting and respect teachers and other authority figures.
INDEPENDENCE
It can be a big shock to all of a sudden spend extended periods of time away from their caregivers. Going to preschool helps children practice and learn to enjoy being away from familiar caregivers. This is more of a low stakes environment that makes it easier for them to transition to kindergarten. It also gives them the confidence to form relationships and explore the world on their own.
EXPOSURE TO NEW THINGS
Often, preschool offers experiences that children wouldn’t be exposed to otherwise—things like music, art, guest speakers and field trips. Students might go visit the local police station or hear from people of all different occupations during career day. Students are also get exposed to people of different cultures and backgrounds. It would be really hard to get this type of exposure to so many different things in a home setting.
MOM AND DAD GET A BREAK
Even if you are a stay at home parent and love being home with your children, getting a small break every so often is crucial, even if you don’t realize it. When you get a chance to have alone time, get things done without the kids around, and do whatever you need to do to recharge, you’ll be a better parent when your child does return from preschool. Preschool offers a way for parents to get a break without feeling guilty because they know that their child is having fun and learning. HF
7 signs your child is READY FOR PRESCHOOL
1. THEY CAN FOLLOW SIMPLE DIRECTIONS
Being able to follow one or two-step instructions is a good sign your preschooler can handle classroom expectations.
2. THEY CAN HANDLE BEING AWAY FROM YOU FOR SHORT PERIODS OF TIME
The most stressful part of your child’s transition to preschool might be fear or separation anxiety. It’s normal for a child to cry for a few minutes after you say goodbye, but if they continue to be upset throughout the day, the may not be ready to take on a whole day of preschool without you. Help your child prepare to be away from you by telling them about how their new routine will go and reassuring them that you’ll be back to pick them up after a fun day of learning with friends.
3. THEY CAN FOCUS ON A TASK
Three- and four-year-olds aren’t known for their long attention spans. Luckily, preschool is the perfect place for them to hone their focus before entering kindergarten. Having at least some ability to focus before entering preschool will help your child make the most out of classroom activities and continue to develop their concentration skills.
4. THEY WANT TO PLAY WITH OTHER KIDS
Does your child smile, wave or greet other kids in the park or at the grocery store? This could be a sign your child is ready to make friends and play with others in the classroom.
5. THEY HAVE BASIC SELF-CARE SKILLS
Teachers will be available to help kids when needed, but your child should be able to handle the basics of taking care of themselves while at school. That means having skills like putting on their own coat and other cold-weather gear, taking their shoes on and off, feeding themselves and cleaning up their toys. Even if your child might still struggle with a few of those things—lining up a coat zipper takes some fine-motor skill, after all—they may still be fine as long as they know how to ask for help.
6. THEY’RE POTTY TRAINED
Not all preschools require students to be potty trained, but experts say it is a recommended skill that will help children to not feel behind compared to their peers. After all, no child wants to be the last of their friends still wearing diapers!
7. THEY KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT IN THE CLASSROOM
It’s natural for kids to fear the unknown. You can help set your child up for success by preparing them for the preschool experience. Read books about preschool with your child and introduce activities like identifying colors and singing the alphabet song. HF
