Daycare or School?

I don't understand why some parents refer to their obvious daycare as a "school".

"Little Johnny is at school today!"

No, he's really not. He's at daycare. Just like my kid.

Sure, lots of daycare's have a curriculum. This is required by law. That doesn't mean they have certified teachers like a school does. Sure, they refer to the caregivers at my daycare as "teachers" but that doesn't make them teachers. (And I am not trying to offend anyone who may work at a daycare. You do great work and my daughter is very happy in your care.)

So, What is the difference between a Daycare, Nursery School, and Preschool? Well, Daycare centers are generally for the purpose of caring for children on an all day basis. Nursery schools generally are experiences in socialization and play. Preschools are oriented toward educational experiences, combined with socialization and play.

According to Baby Center's Parent Center: Preschools and daycare centers can be quite similar. "People tend to use the word 'daycare' in a derogatory way, but that's a misconception," says Leslie Roffman, director of San Francisco's Little School. Daycare centers and preschools must meet the same licensing and accreditation requirements, they cost about the same, and you can evaluate them using many of the same criteria.

The biggest difference is how early they accept children. The term "preschool" refers to programs designed for children from the age of about 2 1/2 to 5 or 6. Daycare centers may serve a much wider age range. Some accept infants as young as 6 to 8 weeks old, young toddlers, and even elementary school children for after-school care.

Preschools may also have more limited hours than daycare centers — for instance, a few hours a day, two to five times a week. A growing number, however, offer extended hours so working parents can leave their kids for an entire day.

"Be wary of programs that claim to teach academic skills or 'speed up' children's intellectual development," says the American Academy of Pediatrics in Caring for Your Baby and Young Child. "From a developmental standpoint, most preschoolers are not yet ready to begin formal education."

So, you see? Having your little one in daycare isn't all bad, now is it? But if it makes you feel better to call it a "school", go ahead.