Preschool/Pre-K/Daycare --What's the Difference?

[Jannie]

So is Pre-school teacher and Daycare Teacher two different things?

And I guess if all Preschoool teachers should have that I guess they would be raising the cost of preschool then.

[tailwaggers]

I think it depends on what the program consists of as far as the training needed. I know little about day care as I have never been in it or used it for my kids, but as I understand it day care varies widely. In some cases, it's babysitting and in others there is more learning going on.
I don't see why it would raise the rates for preschool or child care. Private school isn't expensive because of the training the teachers have. It's expensive because it costs a lot to educate kids. Also, at private schools, the lower the student to teacher ratio, the higher the costs. If you look at how much education I have versus how much education my husband has (he has half as much as I do), and then compare how much money I made as a teacher to how much money he makes (he makes twice as much as I did as a teacher), then you can't really say that hiring better educated personnel means that operating costs will rise.
IMO to say that preschool teachers do not need this equates to saying that my education and training as a teacher is worthless, and that's simply not true. Not many people would agree to send their elementary school, middle school, or high school aged kids to schools that are run by and taught by adminstrators and teachers who have no post-secondary education and training in their fields. Why do we accept less in preschool--when learning is just as important? That's when the foundation for all future learning is being cast, it's when our kids learn the fundamentals that will be the basis for the rest of their learning.
I am not saying that lack of this education/training equates to these teachers being dumb, but what I am saying is that it does equate to them being poorly equipped to handle many situations. I firmly believe that education, training, and student teaching are the key to producing good teachers which leads to top notch education for all students.

[Jenn]

I dont honestly know the difference of preschool and Junior kindergarten. I know to be a JK/SK teacher you have to have all the qualifications of a regular teacher. All the schooling, everything.
Is there a difference? Or is the preschool, daycare?

[Elaine]

Every "preschool" that I have seen advertising for teachers ask that you have a degree in at least Early Childhood Education (a 2 yr degree) but for "daycares" usually only the head has a degree.

From what I've seen, there's daycare and there's a daycare with preschool. As a parent, I feel it's your responsibility to know what you want for your child and to ask about the program your child will be entering.

Honestly, as long as you're comfortable with the place you choose for your child, that should be all that matters. Honestly, just because someone has a degree doesn't make them smart, nor talented and patient with children. But, there are "preschools" out there that have a curriculum and their teachers have degrees (not a daycare).

Big difference between that and Kindergarten? You get to PICK where your children go to pre-k whereas you don't get to pick where your child goes to kindergarten (for the most part).

Oh geez, this is making my stomach turn just thinking of it. Next year Caleb will be in.............eek.........kindergarten.

[Roxanna]

Quote:

But, there are "preschools" out there that have a curriculum and their teachers have degrees (not a daycare).

Here in Georgia you have to have a license to teach PreK .. even if it is in a "daycare"

[Roxanna]

Quote:

. If parents are looking for a "true" Pre-K program/elementary prep school, they're willing to pay a little more than if they were to send their children to a traditional daycare.

SOOOO not true. I was a single mother and wanted only the absolute best for my child .. as do most mothers .. I had my children in a daycare setting at our local private school and they went to PreK in a "daycare" setting and it was as good as the prep-school down the road and 1/2 the cost. These kinds of statements are what make children feel "less than" those that went to expensive programs.

[Jannie]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liz109 Honestly, as long as you're comfortable with the place you choose for your child, that should be all that matters. Honestly, just because someone has a degree doesn't make them smart, nor talented and patient with children. But, there are "preschools" out there that have a curriculum and their teachers have degrees (not a daycare).

As long as you are comfortable with who you are leaving you children with then there shouldn't be a problem. I am going to be getting my certification of 80 hours worth. I dont have it yet but I feel I am talented and can handle the situation and I deal with parents. I have to make lesson plans and do alot that our pre-school teacher does. Honestly to me you have to get a feeling and get to know that teacher and know what you are puttign your child into.

[Jenn]

So preschool is JK right?

[tailwaggers]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Roxanna Here in Georgia you have to have a license to teach PreK .. even if it is in a "daycare"

Not if it is a private Pre-K. You only have to have that if you are state-funded. And since the state funded Pre-K is free, it fills up FAST.

Also, I never said that having a degree makes you smart. However, would you allow a nurse with no formal training or education treat you in a hospital?

Here in Georgia, any person with a degree (of any kind) who can pass a background check can teach on a provisional teacher's license for a limited amount of time. In my experience, every one of these teachers I have supervised has had trouble planning lessons, managing his/her time in the classroom, handling discipline, and dealing with parents. I have personally supervised half a dozen of these "teachers." Of them, only one has remained in the profession for longer than a year.

No one can tell me that there is no value in training and education. If you have natural teaching ability, then this will be enhanced. If you have room for improvement, then these things will help. There is no panacea. Some people are not suited to teaching at all. I graduated with more than a few people who I would never want to teach my kids anything at all.