Some parents gets confused between the terms of child care and pre-school. While some even think, that both are the same thing only the “names” are different. Some do know that they are different but finds it hard to know the difference between these two.
As a parent, I understand the feelings of guilt that come with putting your child to daycare. Many times, the guilt trip comes from other parents and dads, not simply from your own internal anguish. Putting your child in either child care and pre-school does not make you a bad parent, it just shows how wise you are rather than abandoning your child.
There are various ways to handle things in most situations, and childcare is one of them. Many parents, if given the choice, would undoubtedly choose not to send their children to daycare.
The majority of them would like a nanny or one of them to be a stay-at-home parent.
We had such wonderful parents.
The problem is that nannies are more expensive than child cares (and each has its own set of advantages and disadvantages), so being a stay-at-home parent was out of the question.
Here, we will be talking about the differences between both of them as well as the pros and cons of both child care and pre-school.
You may feel enlightened by the end of the article and may finds it easy to know the differences between the two of them.
Child care
What Is The Definition Of “Child Care” ?
Child care programme: A programme in which children from the ages of 0 to 5, and occasionally school-aged children, receive quality care from a dependable child care provider. Despite the fact that the provider may not have been trained in a specific philosophy such as Reggio Emilia or Montessori, they have chosen to partner with Wonderschool and demonstrate their commitment to quality through an intentionally constructed environment, a conscious daily rhythm that they have developed to best meet the needs of the children in their care, and ongoing support from the team.
What Are Some Of The Pros Of Child Care?
When compared to staying at home, child care provides various social benefits for your child. Sending your child to a child care allows them to interact with people they might not otherwise encounter. These encounters will help them shape who they are and develop relationships and confidence.
Enjoying time with peers
Parents frequently try to set up play dates with their neighbours’ children of a similar age. Our immediate social circle, on the other hand, may not necessarily include families with children of the same age. A child care facility is a continuation of this phenomena, where children spend time with one another in an organised and safe atmosphere while being supervised.
While their personalities are still developing and their minds are still expanding, children learn how to share, problem-solve, and otherwise play together.
A less difficult adjustment to kindergarten
If the children has not adapted to routines, staying away from parents, and other issues, preschool enrollment might be stressful. It has been noticed that children who attend childcare have a smooth transition to kindergarten. Also, according to a study conducted by the University of Texas at Austin, parents who enrolled their children in child care were more interested in their children’s academic lives later in life.
Adults’ interactions
Toddlers look up to adults to learn from, particularly their parents and other family elders. School-age children have the opportunity to be mentored by others and to get instruction from high-ranking officials.
A 2006 study by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development found that high-quality day care was linked to high-quality caregiving. This is due to the fact that child care workers provide encouragement, respond to children’s vocalisations, and promote a positive attitude by removing negative influences from the surroundings.
Relief for the Stay-at-Home Parent
Some families, even those with a stay-at-home mom or dad, resort to child cares for help.
Some stay-at-home parents may feel bad about it, but they shouldn’t.
Being at home all day with the kids can be exhausting, and having a professional keep an eye on them ensures that they are far safer than if you left them alone.
Did I mention how much easier it is to run errands or handle household chores without the kids at home?
The Cons Of Childcare
The Expense of Childcare
Child cares are not cheap, and honestly, they can be quite expensive.
Up until 2021, the fee for child care centre is RM450/child. Imagine having 3 kids, that already cost RM1350/month not yet included with family daily essentials. Per year would be around RM16,200 for 3 child.
The cost for child care centres keep increasing, but the minimum salary for Malaysians are yet to be increased. Till today, the minimum salary is still RM1,200 and equivalent to only RM14,400 per year.
Imagine having 3 kids, needed to be send to childcare centres which cost RM1350/month with only RM1200/month salary, you may do the calculations.
The Hours of Child care May Not Be Flexible
While many daycares provide reliable care, their start and pick-up schedules may not be convenient for you.
The child care we’ll be using is open from 6:30 a.m. until 6 p.m.
Many parents will find a 6:30 a.m. drop-off and 6 p.m. pickup time convenient, but it will not be convenient for all.
What if your commute is longer and you need to drop your child off or pick up your child earlier or later?
Let’s not forget about individuals who work irregular hours, such as those in healthcare or retail.
Many of those parents will be unable to work those hours.
Some child cares will provide extra hours, such as later pickup, however this will normally come at a cost.
Hours on Holidays
Many child cares are closed on important holidays, although many parents are required to work. Raya, Chinese New Year, Deepavali, Christmas and New Years are examples of days when your child care may be closed but you must still work.
When choosing a child care, make sure you know when those days are and make plans ahead of time if you need to work on certain days.
Daycare Learned Behavior
The National Institute of Child Health and Human Development’s (NICHD) study on Early Child Care indicated that spending more time in child cares increases the probability of a child developing behaviour disorders such as violent behaviour.
What about Pre-School?
Preschool programme: A play-based programme implemented by a teacher with formal experience working in a licenced child care/preschool/educational setting, centred around a specific learning philosophy or curriculum such as Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Kementerian Pendidikan Malaysia, or a play-based programme centred around a specific learning philosophy or curriculum such as Reggio Emilia, Montessori, Emergent/DAP. A preschool programme director should be able to identify their program’s philosophy and explain how it is incorporated into their daily routine, as well as their qualifications to lead this type of programme.
What Are The Pros Of Pre-school?
When it comes to preschool, some parents may be unsure of what to expect. Fortunately, it doesn’t have to be daunting, and knowing that preschool benefits each child in a variety of ways may be reassuring. What do you mean by that? To begin with, it is one of the most successful ways to prepare a child for kindergarten, with those who participate gaining a significant edge that will benefit them in the coming years. It aids in the learning of more vocabulary by the time they begin school, provides children with a sense of security, and improves the academic abilities of those who attend. In general, children who attend preschool develop higher pre-reading and math skills than those who do not, when kids are ready to start school in the future years, they will have a better foundation.
Children learn to follow directions in preschool.
Every parent has experienced the frustration of having to repeat yourself over and over as their young child ignores them totally. What many parents don’t realise is that following directions is a skill that takes time to develop—and preschool can assist.
Preschool gives children more opportunities to obey simple instructions such as when to line up or how to wash their hands. “Children learn to listen to adults and regard them as authoritative figures” even through these are simple tasks.
Preschool that is supported by the government can help parents save money.
It’s impossible to deny that child care in the Malaysia is pricey. According to The Ministry of Women, Family and Community Development, sending a pre schooler to a licenced childcare centre costs an average of RM450 per month, putting many working parents in a financial bind.
Preschool is a cost-effective way to help offset this expense while still delivering a high-quality education to children in their formative years. Families who satisfy the income eligibility standards are eligible for free Head Start services. Many areas also have government sponsored preschools that are free or low-cost. These kinds of preschool programmes can save you thousands of dollars. Both child care and pre-school are expensive, but child care is even more pricey than pre-school.
Preschool provides opportunity for children to engage in play.
Is play really a preschool benefit? Although it may appear easy, research suggests that children’s playful experiences prepare them for “deeper learning,” particularly in critical areas like executive functioning. Preschool exposes children to a variety of play experiences that they may not enjoy at home.
“At the end of the day, the most valuable aspect of preschool is the power of play and exploration,” says Dr. Jones. “The young brain is insatiably curious, and good preschools provide a wealth of possibilities for children to learn about a variety of disciplines, the arts, creative processes, and literature.”
Preschool helps to achieve educational equality.
Preschool has an impact that extends beyond the lives of individual children and their families. Access to high-quality prekindergarten education can be the key to achieving educational equality across races, geographies, and income levels.
According to the survey, children who do not have access to the benefits of preschool may be at a significant disadvantage in both academic and social-emotional skills when they enter kindergarten. “For some youngsters, starting school behind might trap them in a cycle of perpetual catch-up in their learning.” Both Child care and pre-school gave educations but pre-school is more towards the curriculum set by the Government.
What About…. The Cons Of Pre-School?
A Challenging Timetable
Some preschools may be more rigid with their schedules, from the number of days your child must attend to the hours they are open.
One school I visited, for example, required my son to attend four days in a row. They were adamant about only providing me the three days I requested. Other schools were only open from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m., with costly before and after school programmes.
Even a 6 p.m. dismissal can be difficult to meet for some parents, especially if they work late or have long commutes.
Insanely high prices
Preschool is not inexpensive, as you might expect. Enrolling your child in preschool may be more costly than hiring a babysitter or enlisting the help of a relative in some situations.
Registration fees, deposits, and school supplies may be required in addition to monthly tuition. You may require before- and after-school care, or you may like to enrol him in enrichment activities such as acting or dancing. Some preschools charge more each year a child attends.
Teacher:Student ratio
Consider how many pupils each teacher will be responsible for, as well as if she will be assisted by an aide.
You want a healthy balance: not too many children so that teachers are too preoccupied to pay attention to each one individually. But not so little that he feels “on the spot” without the luxury of being able to blend in.
Some pre-school have wayy too many children in their classes which results to the teacher not being able to give their full attention to each one of their children.
What do you think now, parents? Which one is more suitable for your children?
As parents, it is common to have your worries towards your child’s education as it will affect their future as well. However, as parents, you have all the power for your child’s future. Make sure to make a correct decision for them as they deserved nothing but the best. Child care and pre-school both have their own pros and cons, so make sure to pick the best choice for your child.
