Daycare and Preschool? It's all confusing...

This may sound like a silly question. I've been a SAHM since DS was born, and I would like to go back to work this year. I have been looking at daycares, though I realize I may wind up getting a babysitter for him initially when I go back to work. DH and I would prefer he go to daycare at some point.

Most SAHMs I know with DC his age are looking at preschools for next year. At this point, I don't know that many working parents, and the few I know seem to have babysitters and send their kids to preschool, and either family members or the babysitter picks DC up from preschool. This very likely will not work for us.

So here is my question for BTDT parents, is there much difference between daycare and preschool at this age in terms of content or activities? Do any of you pull your kids out of daycare to attend preschool before they start kindergarten? Judging from the interviews I have had so far, it doesn't sound as if there is much difference other than the fact that daycare is a full day, every day.

I guess I don't want DS to miss out on something that might help prepare him for kindergarten, and I am curious what other working parents do with their children.

Re: Daycare and Preschool? It's all confusing...

I can only respond about daycares b/c I used to work at one and my 3 month old son will be going in a week (obviously to the infant room... LOL)

Anyway... daycares are just like pre-school. They will be starting their classes next week and have daily activities and lessons. I believe pre-school is only a couple of days a week from what friends have told me and daycare is 5 days a week. THe part about the daycare that has the pre-school and pre-k in it is they start at around 6AM, but will start lessons and class from 8 till 3 then go back to the daycare... if that makes sense to you. From the daycare I worked at the lessons are done around 3ish and then the kids did outside play, arts, games, etc till their parents picked them up.

Re: Daycare and Preschool? It's all confusing...

Putting aside curriculum and hours for a moment - one HUGE difference is in licensing. Preschools are licensed by the Dep't of Education, while daycares are licensed by the Dep't of Social Services. DSS has the power to go in and inspect to make sure the regulations are complied with, the Dep't of Ed does not. That is how that tragic incident at Carousel Day School (choking on the carrot) happened. The preschool was licensed by the Dep't of Ed, but the daycare wasn't licensed at all, and nobody knew b/c the Dep't of Ed can't go in an inspect.

Re: Daycare and Preschool? It's all confusing...

Many daycares have a preschool curriculum and/or a parallel preschool program-which could help with the licensing issue noted above.

DD goes to day care from 8-4:30 or 5 every day (the center opens at 6:30 and closes at 6 and she can stay late or go early as needed, we pay for the enter day/week/months, etc).

At 2, she transitioned to a preschool based class. It's still her full day. There is another class that is from 9-4 which is generally for kids who are just entering a "school" program for the first time (generally kids with a SAH parent) and whose parents are looking for a preschool program. These kids are out the door at 4 and you pay extra if you are late.

The curriculum for the classes is exactly the same, it's just the length of the day that different and some activities are extended to fill the day.

Re: Daycare and Preschool? It's all confusing...

Bella is in Pre-K at her daycare. I believe it is the same as many regular pre-k with the exception that the daycare is open from 7am-7pm. During the day they have gym, music, art, etc.
I have to buy her certain supplies and she will have homework.

She started today and even though it's daycare and she is in the room next door from last year, it feels different.

Re: Daycare and Preschool? It's all confusing...

Thank you all so much for the input! It sounds silly, but I really had no idea if the curriculum offered is very different. From what you have all said, it sounds the same, and possibly better in daycare since they are in the school much longer.

So it sounds as if my time will be better spent visiting daycares in our area, and trying to get on a waiting list or possibly applying since the wait can be long. The other trick is that I do not know when I'll be back at work, or what my hours will be--I could wind up working evenings. But I would like to look at facilities and interview now. Both DH and I would prefer to send DS to daycare, so it sounds as if the working parents I know using preschools preferred having a babysitter and preschool.