Preschool vs Daycare Wars

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have an opinion on this which I will keep to myself since it is pointless to post it here, nobody is changing their mind.

That said, it appears to me that those who call daycare school are way more dogmatic about their belief than those who object to that. I don't really get why any of you want to participate in the so-called mommy war described in this thread.

It's pretty clear what you believe and also your assertion of who is more "dogmatic" is hilarious. Most of us use both terms interchangeably especially if our kids are in the prek3/4 rooms at their daycare (which, again, is NOT a term used by child care professionals, many of us use it for expediency but it's not correct either)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s all blurry. But the best part-time preschools (nonprofits governed by boards) have very little in common with daycare, and that’s why people pay so much $$ for it plus nanny or sahm.

At our school, the entire operation is focused on 2.5-5/6 year olds, including professional development, facilities, special events, etc. There is no napping, allowing parents to handle sleep as they prefer. No meals are served allowing much greater control over nutrition. Our kids had the same cohort and teacher team for three years. (No one is shifting between classes based on potty training status.) This allowed them to build deep relationships and alums are devoted to the place. There is a clear pedagogy that everyone is on board with, and parents can participate in class on a weekly basis (at least).

I get that it sounds pretentious and dcum will say it’s about pathetic sahm’s needing control, but in reality it’s meeting kids in the most age-appropriate way, and it’s a shame that it’s so expensive and rare.

Also, about a third of the parents go on to public elementary—for most this is not about feeding into elite privates. They’re willing to deal with the cost for these early years, even when dcps offers free preschool.

Ok so long narrative about how you think your choice is optimal. Why do you care what other people call their choice?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Just another SAHM vs Working Mom thing and here you are adding on.

That said, I sent my children to a full-day preschool that (a) had preschool in its name and (b) was certified by both the state and the NAEYC. So, if you end up in a conversation with someone who is saying your child is in daycare and theirs is in preschool, ask them if their church place is certified.

Oh man, I really love that everyone is ignoring this post. How many of your half day preschools are certified? I would really like the daycare is not preschool crowd to answer this question!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:[mastodon]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I have an opinion on this which I will keep to myself since it is pointless to post it here, nobody is changing their mind.

That said, it appears to me that those who call daycare school are way more dogmatic about their belief than those who object to that. I don't really get why any of you want to participate in the so-called mommy war described in this thread.

It's pretty clear what you believe and also your assertion of who is more "dogmatic" is hilarious. Most of us use both terms interchangeably especially if our kids are in the prek3/4 rooms at their daycare (which, again, is NOT a term used by child care professionals, many of us use it for expediency but it's not correct either)

You sound really angry.

Strange. No, that person doesn’t sound remotely angry.

What, precisely, are the angry words? I’m really curious how you got “angry” out of something so innocuous. Are you typically super sensitive?

The first line and use of "hilarious" sounds really angry, as does this sock pupetting along with your accusations of being super sensitive.

But you do you. I guess I was wrong to show concern. 🤷‍♀️

I'm the first PP and I didn't write that response, not that you will believe me. You sound really determined to tear down anyone who makes a convincing argument that questions your own position on this topic. Maybe even...angry? Lol

[Anonymous]

Daycare is for childcare, preschool is for enrichment.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Daycare is for childcare, preschool is for enrichment.

My kids go to an accredited preschool at a daycare center. What does that count as, in your mind?

[Anonymous]

I think you're all ignoring that there is an abundance (at least where I live) of accredited full-day preschools that start at age 2 or 2.5. Most are play-based/reggio Emilia/montessori until pre-k4, but they are preschools with preschool curricula nonetheless.

Both of my children were prepared to Kindergarten when they got there (e.g. knew their letters/numbers/a lot of CAC words and obviously knew all the social things they needed to know like standing in line, interacting with peers, no hitting/grabbing, how to zip/unzip their coats, how to unpack and repack their lunch boxes, etc.).

I'm not sure why this causes SAHMs who send their children to half-day programs to learn these things so much stress.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Daycare is for childcare, preschool is for enrichment.

My kids go to an accredited preschool at a daycare center. What does that count as, in your mind?

Np. Before this thread I would have called it daycare but I genuinely didn’t know that daycare was a bad word. Planning steering clear of it now as I wouldn’t want to unintentionally offend someone!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would never correct someone in real life but I do always have the fleeting thought that it’s a bit pathetic when parents of daycare-age kids call it “school.” Makes me think they are in denial about sending kids to daycare, which I think is ridiculous because I fully support women working. It’s just the dishonesty that bothers me.

100% agree with this. It is daycare, not school!!

[Anonymous]

This thread explains so much. I had the most confusing conversation with someone a while back where I mentioned my kid was in preschool but then went on to say I needed to find childcare as I was returning to work. The mom kept saying she managed to work full time and just use preschool and was saying things like “you just have to manage your time wisely”. It was a short convo so I just nodded by head and smiled but was so confused as to how she was working F/T with 10 hours of daycare as childcare. She must have thought by preschool I was referring to full time childcare.

Anyway, I can’t believe this is a controversial topic, I personally call my kids center daycare to others but school to the kids. It’s a daycare with preschool/educational programming for the 3+ crowd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It’s all blurry. But the best part-time preschools (nonprofits governed by boards) have very little in common with daycare, and that’s why people pay so much $$ for it plus nanny or sahm.

At our school, the entire operation is focused on 2.5-5/6 year olds, including professional development, facilities, special events, etc. There is no napping, allowing parents to handle sleep as they prefer. No meals are served allowing much greater control over nutrition. Our kids had the same cohort and teacher team for three years. (No one is shifting between classes based on potty training status.) This allowed them to build deep relationships and alums are devoted to the place. There is a clear pedagogy that everyone is on board with, and parents can participate in class on a weekly basis (at least).

I get that it sounds pretentious and dcum will say it’s about pathetic sahm’s needing control, but in reality it’s meeting kids in the most age-appropriate way, and it’s a shame that it’s so expensive and rare.

Also, about a third of the parents go on to public elementary—for most this is not about feeding into elite privates. They’re willing to deal with the cost for these early years, even when dcps offers free preschool.

This doesn't sound like preschool, it sounds like a playgroup.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I would never correct someone in real life but I do always have the fleeting thought that it’s a bit pathetic when parents of daycare-age kids call it “school.” Makes me think they are in denial about sending kids to daycare, which I think is ridiculous because I fully support women working. It’s just the dishonesty that bothers me.

Whatever makes you feel better/superior about being a stay at home mom...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Daycare is for childcare, preschool is for enrichment.

My kids go to an accredited preschool at a daycare center. What does that count as, in your mind?

Np. Before this thread I would have called it daycare but I genuinely didn’t know that daycare was a bad word. Planning steering clear of it now as I wouldn’t want to unintentionally offend someone!

The only people that think it's a bad word are stay at home moms who are trying to make working moms feel bad about their choices. Newsflash: I don't. I have older kids now who are thriving. They went to full day preschool that was accredited and certified by both the state and the NAEYC. It was a real preschool. The also provided full day care for the children. Stay at home moms who want to argue that this means it wasn't a real preschool can kiss my ass.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Btw nanny shares are unlicensed daycares, no thanks.

How is a nanny watching 2 babies from 2 families that much different than twins from 1 family? And all nannies are unlicensed childcare. Your clever little quip makes no sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I would never correct someone in real life but I do always have the fleeting thought that it’s a bit pathetic when parents of daycare-age kids call it “school.” Makes me think they are in denial about sending kids to daycare, which I think is ridiculous because I fully support women working. It’s just the dishonesty that bothers me.

Whatever makes you feel better/superior about being a stay at home mom...

I work and dont feel strongly about this (you can call your childcare situation whatever feels best for you) but I would feel a little silly telling people my one year old goes to school. They go to daycare and likely will until they go to elementary school