What’s the difference between daycare/playgroup/Montessori/preschool? While talking with friends with kids, these terms confused me before baby & to some extend after baby too. I thought of getting my funda clear. Who could be best source to inquire then other moms? Query received good response & good information. I was glad to find out that some moms were in same boat of uncertain information as me. Here is complied information, so you can act knowledgeable henceforth too. 🙂
1) Nanny
-
a. A person comes home to take care of child. Attend to their basic needs, like feeding, changing, napping, playing, taking out to park etc.
b. Sometime they perform household errand like cleaning, cooking, laundry.
c. In Share a nanny – Nanny will take care of more then one kid, at one of the kids place.
2) Daycare
-
a. It can be Family Daycare or Center-Based.
They just care for your child, attend to their basic needs, like feeding,
changing, napping, playing & so on. Some even provide home-cooked meals. Some provide more structured activity.
b. Any age kids allowed 99% of Kids with Diapers. More suitable for younger kids up to 1.5 to 2 yrs.
c. Some center-based daycares are Kinder Care and Bright Horizons.
d. This can be a full day/ half day or 2/3/5 day.
3) Playgroup
-
a. Playgroups can be formal (like gymboree/mygym) or informal where some parents meet with kids at one place – regularly or not.
b. Call kids with similar age and have fun for few hours. Parents could take turn to host days. Can meet at home or some outdoor location like park.
c. Some of the private care takers call their facility as play group too. Also many parents have habits to refer day care as play groups.
4) Montessori
-
a. Montessori is also a preschool but it follows Montessori Method of teaching. Montessori is named after a lady who believed in a education that focuses on practical education, read more http://www.montessori.edu/method.html
b. Starts at age 2 and 1/2 years to 5, some Montessori have Elementary school too. They usually have school from 9 to 3. You can always take extended daycare program till 6.00. Usually private.
c. This focuses on pre-school and some part of elementary school. Some Montessori are until 6 grades too. They could have a same classroom for 2.9 years to 6 years. They believe in positive thinking and allow kids to learn through observation and activities as kids like. They will try to guide him but not force anything. They want to make a child responsible and independent. Their main focus is too having emotionally strong child who is responsible about his action. They do not have set syllabus. It gives your child room to decide what they are interested in. Of course they will still learn various things in process.
d. This can be a full day/ half day or 2/3/5 day programs.
4) Preschool
-
a. Preschool is an academic school where children start going at age 2 years nine months to 3 yrs.. Usually private.
b. Includes basic teaching of alphabets/Counting, Group Play, Singing, Arts/Crafts.
c. It’s like Nursery in India
d. Challenger and Stratford offer options for right from preschool to the entire elementary school. They focus more on academic similar to Indian education system and hence very famous among Indian Parents.
e. Most of preschool takes only potty trained kids. They have their own schedule for different activities for kids.
5) Pre K
-
a. Starts from age 4. It’s like Junior KG in India.
b. Private or Public School
6) Kinder garden
-
a. Starts from age 5. It’s like Senior KG in India.
b. Private or Public School
7) 1st grade to infinite
-
a. Private or Public School
Hey Dimple,
Thanks for the great information.